Matsutake Mushroom Harvest Season Opens in Shasta-Trinity National Forest

The highly anticipated Matsutake mushroom harvest season officially opened on September 15 and runs through November 30 on the Shasta McCloud Management Unit of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Unlike other foraging opportunities, personal-use permits are not available this fall. Anyone harvesting Matsutake mushrooms must hold a valid commercial permit, and picking without one can lead to citations. Permit holders must be at least 18 years old, carry a valid ID, and log their harvest dates and amounts to remain in compliance. Forest Service officers will be patrolling harvest areas to enforce regulations.

Permit options include:

• $20 for 4 consecutive days (20-pound limit), $5 for each additional day
• $100 for 30 consecutive days (100-pound limit)
• $200 for the full season (200-pound limit)

Permits are sold at the McCloud Ranger Station (cash/check only, Fri–Sat) and the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station (credit card, cash, or check, Tues–Fri).

Harvesters are reminded to follow all conditions to ensure sustainability, including avoiding raking or disturbing ground cover, which can prevent future mushroom growth. And as always, pack out all trash.

For more details, visit the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website.