The statewide rockfish season opened April 1, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any type of announcement. Because the month of April is only open beyond the 50-fathom line, this falls under federal jurisdiction. Hence, the only notification that went to the public came from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And if you’re not signed up to receive email notifications or you don’t routinely check their website, you’re likely in the dark like most anglers. How it went down: Early Monday morning NOAA, along with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) sent out an email announcing an in-season adjustment to manage commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries. The intent of this action is to allow fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks like Quillback rockfish. This action went into effect April 1, 2024.
Along these same federal lines, NOAA and NMFS took emergency action, modifying a continuous transit requirement for CA recreational vessels. This modification will temporarily allow recreational vessels to anchor overnight and/or stop to fish for non-groundfish species inside the seasonal Recreational Rockfish Conservation Area off the coast of California, also known as the 50-fathom (91-meter) offshore fishery. This emergency measure allows boats to travel through state waters with rockfish on board and will prevent the possible cancellation of thousands of recreational fishing trips during the 2024 recreational fishing season off California.
What all this federal jargon means is it’s time to go fishing. In Northern Management Area, which runs from the California-Oregon border to Cape Mendocino (40°10′ N. latitude), the season is open for an ‘offshore only fishery’ through April 30. Fishing for groundfish will only be allowed seaward of the 50-fathom boundary line, and only shelf rockfish, slope rockfish and lingcod may be retained. Take and possession of nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenling are prohibited during the offshore fishery.
The state-run nearshore fishery is expected to open May 1 and run through Sept. 30.
Marine forecast
Offshore ocean conditions aren’t looking great for Friday, but the weekend looks a little better. Friday is calling for northwest winds 10 to 20 knots and northwest waves 14 feet at 12 seconds. Saturday is calling for winds out of the south 10 to 15 knots with northwest waves 6 feet at nine seconds and northwest 3 feet at 17 seconds. The wind will decrease slightly Sunday, coming out of the north 5 to 15 knots. Waves will be from the northwest 4 feet at five seconds and northwest 7 feet at 14 seconds. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com/. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.
Upcoming events
Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake April 6
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday April 6th at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. or Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr. at 707-223-3858.
PFMC meeting in April regarding salmon season alternatives
At their April 6-11 meeting in Seattle, the Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by the Salmon Technical Team (STT). Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 11. Preseason Report III: Council-Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2024 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late April at www.pcouncil.org. Public written comments can be made on the PFMC e-portal for Agenda Items E2 and E6 regarding the Salmon Season Alternatives (1, 2, or 3-closure) at https://pfmc.psmfc.org/Meeting/Details/3041
Shelter Cove crab feed coming April 13
Shelter Cove Fishing Preservation will be holding its Fourth annual crab feed fundraiser dinner and silent auction Saturday, April 13 at the Community Center/Club House in Shelter Cove. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the launch office. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/scfpinc.
The Rivers:
Reminder: The South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek and the Chetco all closed to fishing March 31.
Eel (main stem)
The main stem Eel is back on a slow decent after a small rise early Thursday morning. Flows were around 13,000 cubic feet per second on the Scotia gauge and dropping. Needless to say, it remains high and off color. It will need up to 10 days of dry weather before it drops to a fishable level. The main stem Eel to the South Fork is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from April 1 through Sept. 30.
Smith River
Last week’s storm pushed the Smith up and over 13 feet on the Jed Smith gauge. It was back in prime condition by Monday and should remain that way through the weekend. The latest rise should flush some of the last spawned-out steelhead downriver and could bring in a few fresh ones. The main stem of the Smith will remain open through the end of April from its mouth to the confluence with the Middle and South Forks. The Middle Fork will also remain open through April from its mouth to Patrick’s Creek. The South Fork is open through April, as well, from its mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craig’s Creek to Jones Creek.
Southern Oregon rivers
“The Chetco closed for the season on Sunday, bringing to an end a steelhead run that was plagued with high water and non-stop rain,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The run was large on the Chetco, with good spawning escapement, but slower-than-normal fishing because the river was blown out more than it was fishable. Attention now shifts fully to the Rogue, where spring salmon season is off to a great start. Plenty of hatchery springers and lots of wild salmon are showing in the catch. Conditions should be prime this weekend for boaters anchoring and fishing anchovies with spinner blades.”
Brookings ocean update
Lingcod and rockfish action is good out of Brookings when the weather cooperates reports Martin. “Lingcod are in shallow water spawning. Surfperch action has been excellent at the north jetty, Chetco Point and Lone Ranch. Pacific halibut season opens May 1. The ocean salmon season is expected run late May through August out of Brookings, with a two-fish daily limit for kings or hatchery coho. Final season dates will be approved at this weekend’s PFMC meeting in Seattle.
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
Fishing the North Coast with Kenny Priest 