If you’re looking to do some late-season steelhead fishing this weekend, you’ll have a few pretty good options.
To the north, both the Smith and Chetco rivers are in good shape and should provide some solid action, especially the Chetco. Closer to home, the South Fork Eel and Van Duzen are both green and shaping up to be excellent options through the weekend. The Van Duzen should be particularly good for anglers looking for a strong bank-fishing opportunity.
All of these rivers should have some fresh fish moving through, and there are still plenty of downrunners heading back toward the salt.
Although we’re expecting mostly sunny conditions this weekend and into next week, it looks like the weather pattern may shift again late next week. Rain is back in the forecast, and the 10-day ensemble models are showing rising flows on most coastal rivers.
The rivers to the south and the Mad are predicted to see a bump in flows, though it’s still uncertain how much. The Smith is expected to see a decent rise, but it should do more good than harm. The same goes for the Chetco.
So get out and enjoy the green water while it lasts — it may not stick around forever.
The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, “the coastal conditions will dry through the week. High pressure will encourage a weak marine layer to form each night, but increasingly strong north winds during the day will encourage quick clearing each afternoon. Gusty north winds pushing close to shore will most likely bring some gusts close to 20 kts each afternoon near shore and locally higher gusts on ridges. There is high confidence that slightly cooler temperatures will return by early next week as high pressure weakens, but there is little chance of wetting rain until late next week at least when about 20% of ensemble models show a weak trough crossing the area.
Upcoming salmon meetings
March 4-9: PFMC March Meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Council will determine whether any in-season actions are required for fisheries scheduled to open prior to May 16. They will also craft three regulatory alternatives for ocean salmon fisheries in effect on or after May 16. Final adoption of alternatives for public review is tentatively scheduled for March 9.
March 23: PFMC Public Hearing in Santa Rosa, CA at 7 p.m. The Council will receive comments from the public on the three California ocean salmon fishery regulatory alternatives adopted by the Council in March
April 7-12: PFMC April Meeting in Portland, OR. The Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by the STT. Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 12.
Preseason Report III: Council-Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late April at www.pcouncil.org
April 15-16: CDFW Commission Meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Commission will receive an update on ocean salmon sport fishery regulations in effect in 2026. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and audio available online at https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2026
The Rivers:
Mad
As of Thursday, the Mad is still high and off-color, sitting at 8.8 feet. It will need at least another week of dry weather before it’s green. It’s forecast to drop through the weekend and into next week. It could be green sometime late next week, but another rise is predicted for Thursday.
Main stem Eel
The main Eel is still high and dirty, running at 9,900 cfs at Scotia Thursday. It’s predicted to drop down to a fishable height by next Friday. Unfortunately, this coincides with the next rise, which may or may not muddy up the river. The main stem Eel, from its mouth to the South Fork, is open to fishing all year. From April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
South Fork Eel
After blowing out last week, the South Fork has since dropped back into shape and is in good condition. As of Thursday, it was right around 2,400 cfs at Miranda. It’s forecast to drop all next week and should have some fish around, both fresh and downers.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is down to 480 cfs as of Thursday and is in fishable shape. Conditions should be excellent through the weekend especially for bank fishermen. It’s predicted to be a skinny 290 cfs by Monday morning. Looking at the 10-day ensemble forecast, the next rise is forecast towards the end of next week.
Smith
The Smith saw a slight bump in flows from Wednesday’s rain but is now under 9 feet at the Jed Smith gauge. It’s predicted to drop through the weekend, making for some low, clear conditions. Fishing pressure has been very light as most boats are on the Chetco. A rise in flows is predicted for next Thursday, and it will be much needed by then.
Southern Oregon rivers
The Chetco River has produced its best steelhead catches of the season this past week, with many guides getting three to six fish a day side-drifting roe, beads or Corkies reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Fish are spread throughout the system, with near-perfect conditions,” said Martin. “Good flows are expected to last through the weekend.
Many Southern Oregon anglers have shifted their attention to the Rogue River, where early spring king salmon are showing up. A mix of wild and hatchery springers are being caught by plunkers and boaters anchoring on the edges. Tuesday produced well over a dozen springers to a handful of boaters on the lower river. Conditions are prime. Peak season for springers is mid-April through May.”
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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