After a few wet winters and very little ocean or river salmon harvesting, it looks like we’re finally getting back on track. At least for now. With 392,349 Sacramento River fall Chinook and 176,233 Klamath fall Chinook estimated to be swimming in the ocean, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has proposed ocean salmon season alternatives that would provide California anglers with some decent opportunity while still meeting conservation goals.
It should be noted these are preliminary alternatives, and adjustments are still possible as the preseason process moves forward. But as of now, here’s where things stand for the North Coast.
California KMZ (Oregon Border to Latitude 40°10’ N)
This section includes Humboldt County waters.
Alternative 1
June 20 – July 19; August 1 – August 23
- In season action may close the fishery when harvest approaches a 3,100 Chinook guideline
Alternative 2
June 13 – July 19; August 1 – August 31
- In season action may close the fishery when harvest approaches a 3,900 Chinook guideline
Alternative 3
June 27 – July 5; July 12 – August 23
- In season action may close the fishery when harvest approaches a 3,100 Chinook guideline
Regulations:
- All salmon except coho
- Two salmon per day
- 20-inch minimum size for Chinook
Latitude 40°10’ N to Point Arena|
This section includes ports such as Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg.
Alternative 1
June 20 – July 19; August 1 – August 23
- Harvest guideline: 4,400 Chinook
Alternative 2
June 13 – July 19; August 1 – August 31
- Harvest guideline: 5,100 Chinook
Alternative 3
June 27 – July 5; July 12 – August 23
- Harvest guideline: 5,000 Chinook
Regulations:
- All salmon except coho
- Two salmon per day
- 20-inch minimum size for Chinook
Full salmon management alternatives are available through the Pacific Fishery Management Council website.
The next step in the preseason process is a public hearing on March 23 in Santa Rosa, where anglers and stakeholders can comment on the proposed California ocean salmon fishery alternatives.
Final season recommendations will be adopted at the April 7–12 PFMC meeting in Portland, Oregon. Information on attending the hearing, participating in the meeting, or submitting public comment can be found at www.pcouncil.org.
Klamath/Trinity fall salmon allocations
With ocean abundance on the rise, the Klamath and Trinity Rivers will be open to salmon harvest for the first time since 2023.
The recreational allocations, or quotas, as proposed by the PFMC will range from 3,355 to 3,235 adult fall Chinook in 2026 across the three alternatives.
The three quota alternatives are not final and will be decided during the April 7-12 PFMC meetings. Once the quota is agreed upon, 50 percent will go to the lower Klamath basin, 17 percent to the upper basin, and 33 percent will be allocated for the Trinity River. When adopted, these quotas will go into effect August 15, 2026.
If, for example, Alternative One was chosen, the quota for the Klamath and Trinity basins would be 3,355 adults. Of those, 1,678 would be allowed for sport harvest from Hwy. 96 bridge to the mouth of the Klamath. From the 96 bridge to the Iron Gate area, 570 could be harvested. The Trinity would receive 1,107 adults for harvest. The Spit Area (within 100 yards of the channel through the sand spit formed at the Klamath River mouth) would close when 503 adult kings were taken downstream of the Highway 101 bridge.
Klamath tribal allocations range from 7,094 to 7,067 across the three alternatives. These allocations will be split between the Yurok and Hoopa tribes.
The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, “a dominant ridge of high pressure will also be building over the rest through the week. Another weak, clipping front will temporarily weaken the ridge and will bring more chances for light rainfall or drizzle late Friday and Saturday. Chances for a 0.1 inch or more of rainfall are a little higher for this system for coastal Del Norte (50-75%), but only trace amounts may be recorded elsewhere. There is high confidence the ridge will begin to greatly amplify through the end of the weekend and next week.”
The Rivers:
As of Thursday, all North Coast rivers subjected to low-flow fishing closures were open to fishing. This includes the Mad, main stem Eel, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Redwood Creek, and Smith rivers. 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.
Mad
As of Thursday, the Mad has dipped under 8 feet and still has some color, but is fishable. According to Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors, those who are trying are hooking fish. He said, “large beads, 18 to 20 mm are working well along with spin n glo’s and bait. This weekend conditions should be excellent.
Main stem Eel
The main Eel is sitting just above 5,000 cfs at Scotia as of Thursday. Conditions should be excellent starting this weekend and through next week. There should be quite a few downers around and some fresh ones as well. 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
Conditions are still good on the lower South Fork, but the upper section in the Benbow area and above is getting low and clear. As of Thursday, it was right around 1,500 cfs at Miranda. Fishing has been decent, with most boats getting a chance at a few fish per day. Most of the fish being caught this week have been downers.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is down below 200 cfs as of Thursday and is low and clear. If it continues to drop at this pace, it could close by early next week. In the meantime, bank anglers should be able to find some fish sitting in the deeper slots. Minimum flow: 150 cfs at the gauging station near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park.
Smith
The Smith is low and clear, sitting just above 7 feet at the Jed Smith gauge. Flows are predicted to continue to drop through the weekend and next week. Fishing reports have been hard to come by as most anglers have moved to other rivers.
Southern Oregon rivers
Steelhead fishing has slowed on the Chetco, although a mix of fresh and spawned out fish are still around reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Boat pressure is light, making for an enjoyable day on the river,” said Martin. “Flows will continue to drop through the month, but the entire stretch from the South Fork to Social Security Bar will be driftable this weekend.
After an early push of springers, salmon fishing has slowed on the Rogue. A fish or two a day are being caught for a couple dozen boats fishing the lower river. Plunkers are getting a fish or two as well on the lower river gravel bars, but catch rates are slow. The next major rain will bring in more fish.”
Brookings ocean report
Lingcod and rockfish action is good out of Brookings according to Martin. “Salmon season opens Sunday, the earliest in decades, but ocean salmon fishing tends to be very slow in March and April, according to historic catch records from commercial trollers. Action can improve in mid-May during years of high ocean abundance.”
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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