A fishing ban on the Sacramento River through much of Redding will apparently be permanent for at least 4 months of every year, following a decision by the California Fish and Game Commission. For several years officials have been ordering the closure of 5-and-a-half miles of the Sacramento River to all fishing in hopes preventing another collapse for the endangered Chinook Salmon. In recent years up to 95% of eggs and young Salmon have been lost due to elevated temperatures. The once-abundant Chinook used to spawn in the upper reaches of the Sacramento River tributaries such as the McCloud and Pit Rivers but those spawning grounds were blocked by dam building. The population recovered in the 40’s and 50’s as cool water was released in the summer months but a sharp decline that started around 1970 hit a low of about 200 spawners in the early 90’s, when the species was declared endangered. The complete fishing ban runs from Keswick Dam to the Highway 44 bridge in Redding, where 98% of the in-river spawning is believed to occur. The ban covers all fishing to prevent incidental catches of Salmon by Trout fishermen. The ban will not go into effect until it’s approved by the Office of Administrative Law.