Month: February 2022

The Pacific Fishery Management Council released its “Review of 2021 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” report last week and the news wasn’t great for salmon anglers, though the numbers are trending upward. In 2021, 53,954 adult Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) were estimated to have returned from the ocean compared to the preseason prediction of 62,121. Jack returns to the Klamath basin were 10,334 fish. In 2020, 45,409 adults returned along with 9,077 jacks.

Returns to the Iron Gate and Trinity hatcheries increased in 2021, as well. A total of 12,850 adults returned to the two hatcheries this fall, while in 2020 only 8,331 returned. Spawning escapement to the upper Klamath River tributaries (Salmon, Scott and Shasta rivers), where spawning was only minimally affected by hatchery strays, totaled 9,169 compared to 5,559 in 2020. The escapement in 2021 to the Shasta River was 5,972 adults. Escapement to the Salmon and Scott rivers was 1,890 and 1,307 adults, respectively.

According to the report, an estimated 2,265 fall Chinook adults were harvested in the Klamath Basin recreational fishery, which was well over the 1,221 quota.

“The age composition of this year’s in-river run (adults and jacks) will be used to estimate current ocean abundance and will determine the number of fish available for harvest in 2022,” said Wade Sinnen, senior environmental scientist on the Klamath and Trinity rivers. “There are a variety of factors that determine available harvest, including current ESA constraints in ocean and in-river fisheries. However, based on this year’s age composition, I suspect that fishing opportunity on adult fall Chinook salmon of Klamath origin will be similar to last year. Klamath fall Chinook stocks remain in ‘overfished’ status per federal guidelines.”

Next up is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual Salmon Information Meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting, which will be held via Zoom Webinar, will provide the latest information on California salmon stocks and the outlook for ocean salmon fisheries for the upcoming 2022 season. The public is encouraged to provide comments on potential fishing alternatives for California ocean salmon fisheries in 2022. A panel comprised of fishery managers, scientists and industry representatives will be assembled to address questions and collect public input that will be used in developing a range of season alternatives for California salmon fisheries at the March 8 through March 14 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting. Final season regulations will be adopted at the April 6 through April 13 PFMC meeting. 

Additional meeting links, agendas and other materials will be posted at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon/preseason as they become available. Contact Katherine Osborn at OceanSalmon@wildlife.ca.gov if you have any questions regarding the meeting.

The weather ahead
According to Doug Boushey of Eureka’s National Weather Service, following the system that moved through Tuesday, the rest of the week looks dry. “The next chance of rain is in the latter part of the weekend,” Boushey said. “There’s a slight chance on Saturday, mostly in Del Norte, with rain likely Sunday. The next chance for significant rain will be Tuesday.”

River Closures
The South Fork Eel, Middle Fork Eel, Mattole, Redwood Creek and Van Duzen (closed starting Thursday) are currently closed to fishing due to low flows. The South Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Rattlesnake Creek. The Middle Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Bar Creek. The Mattole is closed to fishing from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Redwood Creek is closed from its mouth to the confluence with Bond Creek. The Van Duzen will be closed from its junction with the Eel River to the end of Golden Gate Drive near Bridgeville (approximately 4,000 feet upstream of Little Golden Gate Bridge).

The Rivers:

Mad
Plenty of steelhead are still being caught on the Mad despite the low water. The fish are holding in the holes and slots, which still have decent color. As of Wednesday, flows were 228 cubic feet per second. Minimum flow is 200 cubic feet per second at State Route 299 bridge.

Main stem Eel
As of Wednesday, flows were right around 1,650 cfs after rising slightly Monday night.  The water is low and clear and the fishing continues to be inconsistent. The few boats still fishing are getting anywhere from zero to three fish per day. Most of the fish being caught are bright. Minimum flow is 350 cfs at Scotia.

Van Duzen
The Van Duzen opened back up to fishing following Monday’s rain, but will close again beginning Thursday. Flows as of Wednesday were 151 cfs and dropping. Minimum flow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek.

Smith River
The Smith is forecast to fall below 1,000 cfs by the weekend. There was a slight bump in flows Monday night following the small storm. The river is extremely low and clear, but new fish are still arriving. Minimum flow is 600 cfs at Jed Smith Park.

Southern Oregon rivers
Rain falling Monday has steelhead anglers hoping the Chetco will rise enough for drift boaters to once again enjoy decent catch rates, but the flow forecast suggests that is unlikely, reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.

“Flows are down to 500 cfs, requiring anglers to drag their boats over shallow riffles,” said Martin. “A few schools of steelhead can be seen in the lower river, but overall action has been slow. Steelhead fishing also remains slow on the Elk, Sixes and Rogue rivers. The Elk and Sixes are too low to drift, while clear water has led to slow catch rates on the lower Rogue.”

Brookings ocean update
Relatively calm ocean conditions over the weekend allowed boaters to get nice limits of lingcod and rockfish out of Brookings, reports Martin. “Stormy weather returned on Monday. The next good forecast day is Friday. Plenty of fish are being caught within a short distance of the harbor. Surf smelt are entertaining anglers fishing in the boat basin, but herring are a no-show so far. Surfperch are biting along both jetties of the Chetco River.”

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com

If you’d like a say in the upcoming Pacific halibut season, now’s the time to speak up as California anglers are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the CDFW about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2022 season. Results of the survey, which is open until Feb. 18, will be used to develop recommended season dates that will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Pacific halibut fishery takes place off Northern California and the 2022 quota will be 39,000 net pounds, the same as in 2021 and 2020.The online survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S. For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut.

The weather ahead
According to Jeff Tonkin of Eureka’s National Weather Service office, there’s a 30 to 40 percent chance of light rain Sunday into Monday. “Up in Del Norte, we could see up to a quarter inch while we’ll probably see less in Humboldt,” said Tonkin. “After Monday, we’re back to dry conditions with the ridge of high pressure pushing everything way to the north.”

2022 Salmon information meeting coming March 2
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Annual Salmon Information Meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will provide the latest information on California salmon stocks and the outlook for ocean salmon fisheries for the upcoming 2022 season. The public is encouraged to provide comments on potential fishing alternatives for California ocean salmon fisheries in 2022. A panel comprised of fishery managers, scientists and industry representatives will be assembled to address questions and collect public input that will be used in developing a range of season alternatives for California salmon fisheries at the March 8-14 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting. Final season regulations will be adopted at the April 6-13 PFMC meeting.  Additional meeting links, agendas and other materials will be posted at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon/preseason as they become available. Contact Katherine Osborn at OceanSalmon@wildlife.ca.gov if you have any questions regarding the meeting.

Free fishing days this weekend in Oregon
It’s free to fish, crab or clam on the Saturday and Sunday of President’s Day Weekend, Feb. 19-20. During these two days, no fishing licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag and a Columbia River Basin Endorsement) are required to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. Although no licenses or tags are required, all other regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. For more information, visit www.myodfw.com/articles/2022-free-fishing-days-and-events

River Closures
The South Fork Eel, Mattole and Redwood Creek were closed to fishing as of Feb. 15 due to low flows. The South Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Rattlesnake Creek. The Mattole is closed to fishing from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Redwood Creek is closed from its mouth to the confluence with Bond Creek.

The Rivers:
Mad
According to Justin Kelly of Eureka’s RMI Outdoors, the river is super low right now. “There’s still a little color in the deeper holes and slots,” said Kelly. “There are quite a few fish around but it’s been tough getting them to bite.” Flows were down to 260 cubic feet per second as of Wednesday. Minimum flow is 200 cfs at State Route 299 bridge.

Main stem Eel
As of Wednesday, it was running at 2,200 cfs and dropping. Flows went up about 400 cfs to 2,500 cfs over the weekend due to snowmelt from last week’s warm temperatures. The fishing has been inconsistent with boats getting anywhere from zero to three fish per day. Most of the fish being caught are bright. Minimum flow is 350 cfs at Scotia.

South Fork Eel
The South Fork is closed to fishing as of last week. On Wednesday, flows were 275 cfs at Miranda. Minimum flow is 340 cfs at Miranda.

Van Duzen
The Van Duzen bumped up slightly due to snowmelt in the hills. As of Wednesday, flows were hovering just above 190 cfs. The river is extremely clear and low. Bank fishing effort has been light due to conditions. If the river forecast holds, it should close to angling later in the week. Minimum flow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek.

Smith River
Last week’s warm weather triggered snowmelt pushing flows to 1,600 cfs on the Jed Smith gauge last Friday. It has since dropped back to 1,250 cfs as of Wednesday. There was a slight bump in flows Monday night following the small storm. This could have brought in some fresh fish but flows will remain extremely low. Minimum flow is 600 cfs at Jed Smith Park.

Southern Oregon rivers
The Chetco is approaching summertime levels, with flows below 600 cfs, reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Steelhead fishing is slow because of the low, clear water, although a few fish are trickling in. Effort is light. Expect catch rates to jump after the next major rain. Low water also has brought the action to a standstill on the Elk and Sixes, while fishing also is slow on the lower Rogue. A few steelhead are being caught near Agness, and action has been good in the canyon for anglers taking advantage of the low water. Expect the first spring salmon of the season after the next major rain.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, calm ocean conditions out of Brookings have resulted in very good lingcod and rockfish action. “Anglers don’t have to travel far for bottom fish, as the reefs close to the harbor have been productive. More calm weather is expected this weekend, after a few days of windy weather. Crabbing is fair.”

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.

Another week of beautiful rain-free weather on the North Coast, which is exactly what we don’t need. Two of our coastal rivers have succumbed to low flows and are now closed to angling. With the forecast calling for more dry weather, a few other rivers will likely close soon. To date, the Mattole and Redwood Creek have both fallen below the low-flow threshold. The South Fork Eel and the Van Duzen are getting closer by the day. And there isn’t much good news on the horizon. Rain is nowhere to be found in the immediate forecast. Looking long range, it’s a coin toss as to whether we’ll see any storms before the first week of March. If you’re looking to catch a steelhead, you best act quickly. The number of open rivers will soon be few and far between.

The weather ahead
According to Josh Whisnant of Eureka’s National Weather Service office, there’s an outside chance of some light precipitation late this weekend or early next week. “The high pressure ridge looks like it’s staying put, so chances of any rain don’t look good, including next week,” said Whisnant. “Through March 4 there’s equal chances of below or above normal precipitation.”

Mad River Hatchery parking lot to reopen
The parking lot at the Mad River Hatchery will be opened starting Saturday, Feb. 12.  The public will have access to one specific route to reach the river/trails. The facility (raceways, spawning building, hatchery building, etc.) will remain closed. It is vitally important that the public follows the directions and signs, and stays out of closed areas of the hatchery. If the public does not comply, the hatchery could be forced to close the gate again. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will not be sending out a press release.

River Closures
Both the Mattole and Redwood Creek were closed to fishing as of Feb. 8. The Mattole is closed to fishing from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Redwood Creek is closed from its mouth to the confluence with Bond Creek. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164.

The Rivers:
Mad
According to Justin Kelly of Eureka’s RMI Outdoors, fishing has slowed way down on the Mad. “The river is super low but still has some color,” said Kelly. “There are fish spread throughout the river but the majority are up near the hatchery.” Flows were down to 330 cubic feet per second as of Wednesday. Minimum flow is 200 cfs at State Route 299 bridge.

Main stem Eel
The main stem still has plenty of green water but it’s starting to get really clear. As of Wednesday, it was running at 2,100 cfs. The fishing has been tough for most but boats are getting a few chances per trip. Minimum flow is 350 cfs at Scotia.

South Fork Eel
The South Fork is running at 350 cfs as of Wednesday. There are fish to be had, but places where you’ll find them are quickly dwindling. If the river projections hold, it will likely close later in the week. Minimum flow is 340 cfs at Miranda.

Van Duzen
The Van Duzen was down to 190 cfs Wednesday and is clear. Bank fishing effort has been light due to low water. If the river forecast holds, it could remain open to angling all week. Minimum flow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek.

Smith River
Flows were less than 1,300 cfs on the Jed Smith gauge Wednesday. Very few boats are still drifting as the river is extremely low. There are some fish around but a stealthy approach is required in the clear water. Minimum flow is 600 cfs at Jed Smith Park.

Chetco/Rogue
Low, clear water has slowed steelhead fishing on the Chetco and Rogue, and brought the action to a halt on the Elk and Sixes, reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “A few boats are still fishing the Chetco, but catch rates are poor,” said Martin. “Fishing above Ice Box Bridge requires dragging boats over shallow riffles.”

Brookings Ocean update
Ocean fishing has been good out of Brookings on calm weather days, with limit of rockfish and limits or near limits of lingcod according to Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. He said, “The best fishing is around Bird Island. The fish are shallow. Herring are schooled up near the jetties, and several salmon were caught and released over the weekend by anglers bottom fishing. The kings are likely feeder fish headed to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. Ocean conditions look very good this weekend.”

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.

North Coast river levels have fallen from their December glory after an extremely dry January. And February, at least through the first couple weeks, isn’t looking much better. This extended dry period could lead to fishing closures on several North Coast rivers. Back in December, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to extend low-flow closures through April 30 from the previous closure date of Jan. 31. Rivers that are regulated by low flow closures include the Eel, Mad, Mattole, Redwood Creek, Smith and Van Duzen rivers. Of these, the South Fork Eel, Mattole, Redwood Creek, and the Van Duzen could close in the next week or so. With most forecasts now leaning towards a dry end to this wet season, our winter steelhead season, at least on some of the smaller coastal rivers, could come to a sudden end. For more information on low-flow river closures, visit www.fishingthenorthcoast.com/2021/09/22/2021-2022-low-flow-information-for-north-coast-rivers/

The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, we’re looking at dry conditions at least through Feb. 10. The six- to 10-day precipitation outlook is showing below normal rainfall through that period.

CDFW seeks input on 2022 sport Pacific Halibut season dates
California anglers who are interested in the recreational Pacific halibut fishery are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the CDFW about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2022 season. Results of the survey, which is open until Feb. 18, will be used to develop recommended season dates that will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Pacific halibut fishery takes place off Northern California. The 2022 quota will be 39,000 net pounds, the same as in 2021 and 2020.The online survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S. For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut.

The Rivers:
Mad
The Mad still provides your best opportunity to land a steelhead. Fish are spread throughout the river, as anglers are catching a mixture of hatchery and wild fish. Flows were down to 395 cubic feet per second as of Wednesday but it’s still holding some color. Minimum flow is 200 cfs at State Route 299 bridge.

Main stem Eel
The main stem is in good shape, with plenty of green water. As of Wednesday, it was running at 2,800 cfs and starting to clear in the tail outs. The fishing isn’t red hot, but most boats are getting a few chances per trip. Minimum flow is 350 cfs at Scotia.

South Fork Eel

The South Fork is running at 425 cfs as of Wednesday. At this flow, the spots that hold fish are few and far between. However, there are still quite a few fish around, including some fresh ones. Minimum flow is 340 cfs at Miranda.

Van Duzen
The Van Duzen was down to 250 cfs by Wednesday and is clear. Fishing pressure has been light due to conditions. It could fall under 200 cfs by next week. Minimum flow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek.

Smith River
Flows were less than 1,600 cfs on the Jed Smith gauge Wednesday. Not many anglers are still trying as the river is low, clear and snaggy. There are some fish around but it’s tough getting them to bite in the clear water. Minimum flow is 600 cfs at Jed Smith Park.

Chetco/Rogue
Steelhead fishing has slowed on the Chetco, as water levels reached their lowest of the season early this week, reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “With flows of around 830 cfs, it’s difficult to drift the river, and the fish holding up in the lower river are spooky and reluctant to bite,” said Martin. “Most guides have shifted gears to other waters. Expect good action after the next rain, although there is none in the forecast. The Rogue has been slow because of low water. A few adult winter steelhead and half-pounders are being caught near Agness.”

Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com