It’s been a solid ten days since we’ve seen any measurable precipitation, and most of the coastal rivers are starting to feel the effects — some in a good way, others not so much.
Starting with the positives: the Mattole, South Fork Eel, and Van Duzen are all in great shape right now and should remain fishable through next week. That said, it won’t be long before they’ll need a fresh shot of rain. The Smith and Chetco, which tend to clear the quickest, will need a few inches as well, as they’re now starting to get low and clear.
The main stem Eel and the Mad River are right on the cusp of dropping into shape. By the end of next week, both should be running emerald green. However, just as they come into form, rain may be creeping back into the forecast. Dry weather is expected to persist through next Thursday, though some ensemble models are hinting at potential river rises by Friday. I’m certainly hoping that rain arrives sooner rather than later.
Weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service, “upper ridging aloft and offshore wind flow will ensure a continuation of dry weather for the remainder of the week into the weekend. So far there are not any strong signals from the global ensembles and deterministic solutions for any significant rain. Some drizzle could be squeezed out from a stratus push early or mid-next week as a transient front clips the area. Probabilistic guidance is not very high at this point even for a few hundredths. Mostly dry and stable weather is forecast for the next 7 days.”
Weekend marine forecast
Ocean conditions are looking excellent for offshore crabbing this starting Friday and going through the weekend. As of Thursday, Friday’s forecast is calling for southeast winds to 5 knots with waves northwest 3 feet at eight seconds and west 4 feet at 12 seconds. Saturday, the winds will be out of the east up to 5 knots and waves will be out of the northwest 2 feet at seven seconds and west 3 feet at 12 seconds. Sunday, winds will come from the north up to 5 knots with waves out of the west 4 feet at 15 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit https://www.weather.gov/eka/ or https://www.windy.com/. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.
Sport crab update
Ocean conditions are lining up for a great weekend for sport crabbers out of Eureka. Both wind and swells are expected to be minimal. Boats dropping gear on both sides of the entrance are averaging 10 to 15 keepers on an overnight soak.
Updated Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations Guide Now Available
In an email sent out Jan. 13 by CDFW, the 2026 version of the ocean sport fish regulations are now online.
CDFW statement:
The updated guide is now available on the CDFW Fishing Regulations web page, in the CDFW License App, and on the CDFW Marine Region’s comprehensive Ocean Sport Fishing web page.
Regulation changes and updates include the following:
- Regulations governing the use of hoop nets north of Pt. Arguello, Santa Barbara County have been updated in the section titled “Gear Restrictions for Recreational Take of Saltwater Crustaceans” (see CCR T14 §29.80)
- Free Fishing Days information, website links, and various other items have been updated for the New Year.
To quickly check for open seasons, size limits, and bag/possession limits for popular California fish and shellfish, go to the regulation summary tables beginning on page 44 in the guide.
The Rivers:
As of Thursday, all rivers subject to low flow fishing closures are open. This includes the main stem Eel, South Fork Eel, Mad, Van Duzen, Redwood Creek, and Smith. The low-flow closure telephone hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream, and the Mattole River from 200 yards upstream of its mouth to the confluence with Stanberry Creek are now open to fishing. More information can be found here.
Mad
The Mad is starting to come around, both in color and height, but is still off color. As of Thursday, it’s dipped below 1,600 cfs (8.25 feet) and could be in decent shape by the weekend. It may still be a little on the pushy side. Should be plenty of steelhead around when it drops.
Main stem Eel
The main stem is still big, but starting to turn as of Thursday, flowing at just above 8,600 cfs and dropping. It should be down to a fishable height, though still big, by late next week. The next rise is forecast for next Friday, which is looking, which won’t give anglers much time before it muddies back up.
South Fork Eel
The South Fork is green, and was holding right around 1,800 cfs at Miranda Thursday. It dropped into really good shape, especially in the Benbow area, on Wednesday. Boat traffic will likely be heavy over the weekend, but the river should be fishable to the forks. Not a wide-open bite by any means, but there were some nice fish caught. If the ensemble forecast is correct, we may see a rise starting next Friday.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen was down to 425 cfs as of Thursday and should be plenty fishable. It should be a good option for the weekend, especially for bank anglers. Flows are predicted to be around 340 cfs by Saturday morning.
Smith River
The Smith is getting low and clearing, sitting at just above 9 feet at the Jed Smith gauge as of Thursday. There are fish to be had, but you’ll need to be stealthy with these conditions. Most anglers have moved north to the Chetco where conditions are a little better. Predicted to be 8.7 feet by Saturday morning.
Chetco/Lower Rogue
“The Chetco dropped into prime shape, with fair to good action for steelhead,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Fish are spread throughout the river, with wild and hatchery adults. Guides working the upper river are finding fish early in the morning, while the lower river bite has been mid-day. Side-drifting roe and Puff Balls or soft beads has worked best. No rain is expected in the next week.
The lower Rogue is kicking out a few nice steelhead, but the best action is still to come. Conditions are now near prime. Still a month early for the first spring salmon reports.”
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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