After a long week of meetings in Vancouver, WA that were full of delays and last-minute agenda changes, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) released its ocean and inland salmon season options Tuesday. After two straight years of closures, the PFMC again took a precautionary approach in setting the season alternatives.
Fewer Chinook salmon returned from the ocean to spawn last year than in 2023, and many argued how there could possibly be any type of season based on the numbers and the fact that last year was closed with lower numbers.
But when the final options appeared in print for the first time Tuesday, some in the industry were alarmed that we could be fishing on a dwindling resource even if the abundance numbers turn out to be as predicted. Though still heavily restricted or banned in some zones, there is opportunity up and down the coast for both recreation, commercial, and inland harvest.
Continuing in 2025, CDFW has put in place in-season management and harvest limits, which are new concepts in management of commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries off California. Given the low abundance forecasts and spawner returns in recent years, it is crucial that any limited salmon fishing ultimately authorized be managed to ensure most of the fish return to the river this fall. Use of these strategies in 2025 ocean fisheries is expected to keep catches within pre-season projections.
For the ocean recreational salmon season within the California KMZ, which runs from the Oregon-California border to latitude 40°10’ N and includes Humboldt County, the three alternatives currently on the table are:
Alternative 1: June 5-8; July 3-6; July 31-August 3; August 28-31.
Alternative 2: June 5-8; July 3-6; July 31-August 3; August 28-31.
Alternative 3: Closed
In season action may be taken to close open days when total harvest is approaching a statewide harvest guideline of 6,500 Chinook.
Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two salmon per day. Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length.
These three alternatives are identical for the Fort Bragg area. All of the salmon management alternatives for the West Coast can be found here.
Klamath/Trinity fall Chinook allocations
The recreational allocations, or quotas, as proposed by the PFMC:
Alternative 1: 532 adult Klamath River fall Chinook. Tribal allocation: 1,384 adult KRFC.
Alternative 2: 148 adult KRFC. Tribal allocation: 989 adult KRFC.
Alternative 3: 7 adult KRFC. Tribal allocation: 44 adult KRFC.
Up next
Next in line is the PFMC public hearing in Santa Rosa, CA March 24. The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments on the proposed management alternatives in preparation for adopting final salmon management recommendations at the April 2025 Council meeting. A summary of verbal comments heard at the hearings will be provided to the Pacific Council at its April meeting. This public hearing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriot in the Sonoma Room, 175 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Details on how to attend the public hearing and PFMC meeting, as well as instructions to provide public comment, can be found here.
Englund Marine saltwater seminar coming March 29
On Saturday March 29, Eureka’s Englund Marine will host a saltwater seminar at the Englund Marine store located at 590 W. Waterfront Dr. Time is TBD. Guest speakers include Captain Del “Tuna Dog” Stephens, Scott Fordice of Lowrance, and Matt Dallum with an update from HASA. Additionally, there will be reps from Scotty, Pro-Cure, Humboldt County Sherrif’s Office, and CDFW. More information will be available at https://www.englundmarine.com/pages/seminars.html.
The Rivers:
Mad
As of Thursday, the Mad had peaked at 10.5 feet (3,700 cfs). It’s predicted to drop through Friday afternoon when the next big rise is expected. It’s predicted to top out at 14.2 feet Monday morning. It will likely remain off color during the time it will remain open, which is through March 31.
Main stem Eel
The main Eel was running at 10,000 cfs at Scotia as of Thursday afternoon, and rising slowly. With quite a bit more rain on the way, it’s predicted to peak at over 50,000 cfs Monday evening. It will need a couple of weeks of dry weather to get down to a fishable height. The main stem Eel is open year around, from April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
South Fork Eel
The South Fork blew out Wednesday and is now muddy. It fished pretty well over the weekend and earlier this week where anglers were catching a mix of downers and bright fish. As of Thursday, flows were right around 2,800 cfs at Miranda and rising. It’s not predicted to come down to a fishable height over the next few days, and will really blow out Monday when flows are forecast to reach 11,600 cfs. It will be close as to whether it will drop back into shape prior to it’s closing at the end of the month.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen peaked at 1,800 cfs early Thursday morning and will be on the drop through Friday. Flows will be under 800 cfs, but it will likely remain off color. Rain over the weekend will push flows to 8,700 cfs by Monday morning, keeping it dirty throughout next week. The Van Duzen will close to fishing after March 31.
Smith
The Smith peaked at 9.9 feet on the Jed Smith gauge early Thursday morning and remained fishable. Anglers should be able to get Friday in before the steeper rise begins Saturday. It forecast to reach 17.5 feet (30,000 cfs) late Sunday night. It should drop down to fishable shape mid-week. There should be a mix of fresh fish and downrunners in the river.
Southern Oregon rivers
“The Chetco has a mix of small adult steelhead and downrunners. Fishing remains fair at best, but a few bright fish are still being caught,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The smaller coastal rivers near Brookings also have had fresh fish this past week for anglers banking it in the Forest Service sections. A few spring salmon are being caught on the Rogue River, along with late winter steelhead, including a few more hatchery fish. This week’s rain may kickstart the springer season, bringing in enough salmon to make anchoring all day and fishing anchovies or spinners worthwhile. Many of the boats fishing in recent days have been running steelhead plugs on their inside rods and an anchovy with heavier salmon gear on the outside. Plunkers also are catching primarily steelhead on large Spin-N-Glos.”
Brookings ocean report
According to Martin, lingcod fishing was good for a few days last week, despite rough weather, but stormy conditions this weekend will keep boats at the dock. “Surfperch have arrived, but big swells and surf will challenge fishermen 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 fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.
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