Federal officials are poised to shut down the salmon season this spring, or impose limitations so severe that salmon fishing may be over almost as soon as it begins.

Cutbacks are inevitable in April because California's most important salmon run has collapsed.

"It sure looks bad," said Dan Wolford of Los Gatos, a recreational fisherman who serves on the federal Pacific Fishery Management Council, which regulates the season.

Donald McIsaac, chief of the management council, disclosed that preliminary data is so alarming that if confirmed, "all fisheries impacting this important salmon stock will be questioned in the upcoming council process to set 2008 ocean salmon seasons."

In the anything goes world of fishery management, don't be surprised if officials shut down sturgeon, striper and other fisheries, too. read more