With no measurable rain over the past three weeks, coastal rivers are all over the map right now. Some systems are getting low and clear, others are still in decent shape, and a few are nearing or at low-flow closures.
The Smith is extremely low and clear, with the Chetco not far behind and dropping fast. The South Fork Eel is also low and clear, especially in the upper stretches, though there are still some fish holding in the deeper runs closer to the confluence. The Mad River is in better shape, holding a bit of color and offering solid fishing conditions. Meanwhile, the mainstem Eel is really starting to hit its stride and should provide good opportunities for a while longer.
Looking ahead, there’s a chance of rain in the 10-day forecast around Wednesday or Thursday. If it materializes, it could bring a much-needed bump to all coastal rivers and provide a late push to cap off the winter steelhead season.
The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, “high pressure is expected to gradually weaken and shift southward this weekend and into early next week, while an upper-level trough develops over the Gulf of Alaska. Surface analysis suggests a cold front traversing the area the weekend. However, confidence remains high in continuing dry weather through the weekend and early next week. A gradual cooling is expected to begin on Friday, though temperatures remain above- normal through the weekend and early next week.
A pattern shift is expected by mid-next week as an upper-level trough and associated frontal system approaches the Pacific NW and Northern California. Global ensembles models and WPC cluster guidance’s are suggesting a break-through in the westerlies of the blocking ridge by mid next week indicates an upper-level trough will approach the Pacific NW and shifting or “flattening” the high pressure by mid next week. This has the potential to bring increasing chances of precipitation and continue the cooling trend as early as Tuesday. High uncertainty remains regarding the specific details at this moment.”
PFMC to hold public hearing on salmon season alternatives
The PFMC will hold a public hearing in Santa Rosa, CA on March 23. The purpose of this hearing is to receive comments on the proposed management alternatives in preparation for adopting final salmon management recommendations at the April 2026 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.
Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers dinner returns|
Join the Humboldt Area Saltwater Anglers on April 11 for an evening of great food and community at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.
Your attendance does more than just fill your plate — it fuels our mission. Proceeds from our banquets allow HASA to advocate for your fishing rights at state meetings for salmon, groundfish, Pacific halibut, and Dungeness crab. Plus, you’re helping us inspire the next generation through programs like Steelhead in the Classroom and Perchin’ on the Peninsula.
Where: Sequoia Conference Center – 901 Myrtle Ave, Eureka
Catering: Delicious dinner by Ramone’s
Tickets can be found at Englund Marine, Pacific Outfitters, RMI Outdoors, or reach out to any HASA Board Member to grab yours before they’re gone.
Tickets: $50 Adults | $35 Kids (12 & under)
Trinity River flow release updates
The California Department of Water Resources March B120 90% exceedance forecast was announced as “Dry” on Mar. 9.A “dry” determination allocates the Program a release of 20,000 AF over the next month which will be subtracted from the Program’s restoration allocation for WY26. Flows will begin to increase from winter baseflow (300 cfs) on Thursday, Mar. 19. Peak flows will reach 1200 cfs on Friday, Mar. 20 and slowly recede. There are two additional peak flows of 1700 cfs (Mar. 29) and 1550 cfs (Apr. 7).
The next period in the Environmental Flows Schedule is the Spring Snowmelt and Recession Period (April 14 – variable). Recommended flows for this period await the final B120 water year determination for 2026, which is announced in early April.
A slow incline of flows with variability built in this time of year are beneficial for benthic food production and an increase in habitat for hungry migrating juvenile salmonids. You can read the full March forecast here.
The Rivers:
Mad
The Mad is still a little bit colored, but there’s some fish around according to Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors. “Bobbers with 16 or 18 mm beads are doing the trick,” said Kelly.
Main stem Eel
The main Eel is in great shape, running at 3,920 cfs at Scotia as of Thursday. Boat pressure has been fairly light, and boats are getting a chance at a few fish each day. There’s still a few fresh ones coming, but most fish landed have been downers. 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
The South Fork is still in good shape but getting lower and clearer by the day. As of Thursday, it was just below 1,200 cfs at Miranda. Fish are still being caught daily, and the boat traffic remains pretty high.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is closed to fishing as of March 17 due to low flows from its junction with the Eel River to the end of Golden Gate Drive near Bridgeville (approximately 4,000 feet upstream from the Little Golden Gate Bridge).
Smith
The Smith is down to 6.5 feet at the Jed Smith gauge Thursday. It’s low, clear and snaggy. Reports have been hard to come by as most anglers have moved to other rivers.
Southern Oregon rivers
“Steelhead fishing is slow on the Chetco, with most anglers seeking late-season steelhead heading to the Umpqua,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Spring salmon is slow on the Rogue, but fish are being caught daily. Peak season is still weeks away, but early fish are showing up.”
Brookings ocean report
The ocean opened to salmon fishing on Sunday, the earliest opener in decades, with surprising results according to Martin. “Fish checkers estimate a fish per rod in Brookings, with some boats limiting out. Most anglers have been focusing on lingcod and rockfish, but with the word of an early salmon bite spreading, anglers were busy rigging flashes and mooching leaders on Tuesday in preparation for a few more days of nice weather. The salmon are in close, where the bait is thick. Pelicans have already arrived in Brookings. Most of the kings are 5 to 8 pound feeder kings, with a few larger Rogue springers mixed in.”
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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