As the famous saying goes, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I’ll go out on a limb and add a third — North Coast rockfish.
From Shelter Cove north to Crescent City, and just about everywhere in between, the nearshore rockfish bite has been nothing short of outstanding this season. Private and charter boats alike are reporting wide-open action at all the usual rocky haunts, with quick limits the rule rather than the exception.
While they may not carry the same glamour as Pacific halibut or king salmon, rockfish deliver where it counts—consistency. If your goal is to stock the freezer or enjoy a steady rotation of fresh fish tacos, it’s tough to beat what rockfish bring to the table.
The statewide rockfish season officially opened on April 1 and will remain open at all depths through Dec. 31. (The exception is the Southern Management Zone, where all depths are open through June 30.)
The daily bag limit is 10 fish per person within the RCG complex—this includes all species of rockfish, cabezon, and greenlings. The lingcod limit is two fish per person per day, with a 22-inch minimum size.
Within that 10-fish bag, sub-limits apply: only one copper rockfish, four vermilion rockfish (in the Northern Management Area), and two canary rockfish are allowed.
A descending device is required when fishing for groundfish. No one may take or possess federal groundfish from a vessel in ocean waters without one on board.
The following species may not be taken or possessed in California at any time: bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, quillback rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish.
For a complete list of regulations, visit the California recreational groundfish fishing regulations summary.
Marine Forecast
Ocean conditions don’t look good for Friday and Saturday but should improve starting Sunday as an area of low pressure approaches. As of Thursday, Friday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 15 to 20 knots with waves northwest 8 feet at eight seconds and west 4 feet at 13 seconds. Saturday, the winds will be out of the northwest 15 to 20 knots and waves will be out of the northwest 7 feet at nine seconds and northwest 5 feet at 12 seconds. Sunday, winds will switch to southwest 5 to 10 knots with waves out of the northwest 6 feet at nine seconds and northwest 5 feet at 17 seconds with a chance of rain. 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.
Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake Saturday
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament this Saturday May 2nd at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Lake Marina and Journey’s End between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tournament starts Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. with live well checks. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. $150 fee and a $20 Big Fish option. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr., 707-223-3858.
Kids free fishing derbies coming May 16
On Saturday, May 16, all kids 15 years old and younger are invited to the Ruth Lake Marina for the Kids Free Fishing Derby. The event will be from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at 11:30. For more information, call the Ruth Lake Community Services District at 707-574-6332 or visit https://www.ruthlakecsd.org/local-events/
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 51st annual Trinity Lake Lions Fish Derby. The pond is located five miles north of the Trinity Center. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The fishing derby will last until 11 a.m. Free fishing tackle will be provided to the first 100 kids registered. Kids must bring their own fishing poles, and only bait will be allowed. Prizes will be awarded in many categories, along with a grand prize. Free hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be available for everyone.
Annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels Begins May 1
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a press release on April 27 announcing the annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels gathered along the California coast. The quarantine will begin May 1 and applies to all species of mussels that are recreationally harvested for human consumption along the California coast, including all bays and estuaries. During the quarantine, mussels may only be harvested for non-consumptive uses, such as for bait.
The quarantine is in place to protect the public against poisoning that can lead to serious illness, including coma and death. According to the press release, the quarantine does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins. More information can be found here.
Fish and Game Commission meeting coming May 5-6
The California Fish and Game Commission meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta 6878 Hollister Avenue Goleta, CA. Meetings will start at 8 a.m. each day.
To join the meeting remotely via Zoom (video and audio), click directly on the meeting link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89046108064. You can access detailed instructions for joining by phone or Zoom by clicking here
On the agenda for May 6, the commission will consider adopting proposed amendments to Klamath River Basin and Central Valley sport fishing regulations and taking final action under the California Environmental Quality Act. A complete agenda and comment submission, and viewing information, can be found here.
California Halibut Derby on Humboldt Bay coming July 25
The Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association will be holding the second annual California Halibut Derby on Saturday, July 25. The fishing event will be held within the waters of Humboldt Bay. Check-ins, Weigh-ins, and Awards Ceremony will be held at Woodley Island, 601 Startare Drive at the East-I Lot Grass Area.
This is a slot size derby; a measurement will be drawn in the morning before the derby and posted to the event’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Adult payouts will be $500 for 1st place, $300 for 2nd place, and $150 for 3rd place. Youth Payouts – $100 for 1st place, $75 for 2nd place, $50 for 3rd place. Youth payouts will be in the form of gift cards. All Youths registered in the Derby will receive a rod and reel combo! Raffle prizes will include fishing trips, rods and reels, fishing tackle and gear, merchandise and more.
Big Fish Prize: entries will be California Halibut 30” and above. ONLY ONE Big Fish can be entered per entrant. In case of a tie, winner will be determined by weight. For the big fish, adult and youth divisions will be combined. Winner to be announced at event.
Entry Fees for adults are $60 (comes with a $30 NCGASA Membership). Youth entry fees are $40, 13 years and under (comes with a $10 NCGASA Membership)
*If you are a current NCGASA member, you will receive $20 in raffle tickets at check-in.
You can register online at https://ncgasa.org/product/california-halibut-derby/. Entrants will need to be signed up and paid for by July 24 at midnight.
Smith River set to close
The Smith River will be closed to fishing beginning Friday, May 1 from its mouth to the confluence of the Middle and South Forks; Middle Fork Smith River from mouth to Patrick Creek; South Fork Smith River from the mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craigs Creek to Jones Creek. It will re-open May 23. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from the fourth Sat. in May through Aug. 31.
The Oceans:
Eureka
The rockfish and lingcod action have been really good at Cape Mendocino reports Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “We made the trip down Sunday in less-than-ideal conditions are we were able to find steady rockfish action in a little deeper water,” said Klassen. “The lingcod bite was a little slower but it’s still good. There hasn’t been much halibut effort yet, but that should change soon. The weather doesn’t look great this weekend, but it should improve mid-week.”
Trinidad
Ocean conditions look good mid-week for small boats and kayaks launching from the beach. The boat launch opening has been pushed back to May 6. For updates and current information, you can call the bait shop at 707-677-3625.
Shelter Cove
“It’s been a pretty solid week at the Cove reports Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. He said, “The rockfish have been snapping really well, but it’s taking a little longer to catch our lingcod. We’re spending most of our time around the whistle buoy and the Old Man. The Pacific halibut bite remains slow, and the effort has really slowed down.”
Crescent City
When the boats can get out, the rockfish bite continues to shine. Some of the better spots include the Sisters, South Reef and north at the light house. The ling bite hasn’t been red hot every day, but boats are coming back with limits more often than not. The Pacific halibut bite hasn’t really taken off yet, but the effort has been very low. Look for that to change as summer rolls around.
Brookings
Windy conditions scattered salmon off the coast of Brookings, but catches remained fair to good over the weekend reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Fishing improved north of Brookings and near Gold Beach, when the bar is calm enough to cross,” said Martin. “The best action remains around 20 feet below the surface over 120 feet of water.
Lingcod and rockfish action has been very good out of Brookings. Halibut season opens May 1, although the best fishing out of Brookings is usually July and August. Surfperch action continues to be good off the beaches around Brookings.”
Lower Rogue
According to Martin, springer fishing is slow on the Rogue, with a handful of fish being caught each day, but many boats going without fish.
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.
