The news just keeps getting better for North Coast — and all California — salmon anglers. After nearly three years of closures, coastal and inland salmon seasons are officially back following Wednesday’s action by the California Fish and Game Commission. Seasons were restored on both the Klamath and Central Valley river systems, giving anglers their first real shot at river kings since 2022.
The Central Valley rivers will return to full seasons similar to those seen prior to the closures, while the Klamath Basin will once again offer both spring and fall Chinook opportunities.
Spring Chinook seasons will reopen as follows:
• Klamath River: July 1 – Aug. 14
• Trinity River: July 1 – Aug. 31
The daily bag limit will be one Chinook salmon, with a possession limit of two fish of any size.
For the fall Chinook fishery, the commission adopted a basin wide quota of 3,248 adult salmon for the Klamath Basin.
Fall seasons will be:
• Klamath River: Aug. 15 – Dec. 31 (closed above the I-5 Bridge)
• Trinity River: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31
The quota breakdown includes:
• Lower Klamath (Hwy. 96 bridge to the mouth): 1,624 adults
• Lower Klamath estuary below Highway 101: 487 adults
After this quota is caught, it triggers a complete closure of the Spit Area (within 100 yards of the channel through the sand spit formed at the Klamath River mouth). The rest of the area below U.S. Highway 101 (estuary) will remain open to recreational fishing
• Upper Klamath (CA/OR border to Highway 96): 552 adults
• Lower Trinity (downstream of the Denny Road bridge at Hawkins Bar to the confluence with the Klamath.): 536 adults
• Upper Trinity (250 feet below Lewiston Dam to the Hwy. 299 West bridge at Cedar Flat): 536 adults
Regulations for the fall fishery include a two-fish daily bag limit, though anglers may retain only one adult salmon ≥ 23 inches per day. The possession limit is six Chinook total, with no more than three adults ≥ 23 inches.
Once individual sub-quotas are met in each section, retention will shift to jack salmon under 23 inches total length only.
After years of shutdowns and uncertainty, California salmon anglers finally have something they haven’t had in a long time — opportunity.
Central Valley rivers
Central Valley anglers will also see a full return of Sacramento fall-run Chinook seasons across the region’s major river systems. Regulations adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission include full seasons on all major Central Valley rivers, marking the first unrestricted opportunity since prior to the statewide closures.
Adopted seasons and regulations include:
• Sacramento River and Delta — All sections open full season; 2-fish daily bag and 4-fish possession limit, any size
• Feather River — All sections open full season; 2-fish daily bag and 4-fish possession limit, any size
• American River — All sections open full season; 2-fish daily bag and 4-fish possession limit, any size
• Mokelumne River — All sections open full season; 2-fish daily bag and 4-fish possession limit, any size
Complete season dates and open river sections are available through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Marine Forecast
According to Eureka National Weather Service, ocean conditions are expected to deteriorate heading into the weekend. A weak frontal boundary Thursday night into Friday will ease winds north of Cape Mendocino, but increasing northerlies south of the cape could push winds beyond 21 knots by Friday evening. By Saturday, 15 to 20-knot winds are expected across much of the North Coast, building steep short-period seas of 4 to 7 feet. Conditions are forecast to worsen further Sunday, with near gale-to gale-force gusts possible by the afternoon.
As of Thursday, Friday’s forecast is calling for north winds 5 to 10 knots with waves northwest 2 feet at four seconds and northwest 4 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday, the winds will be out of the northwest 10 to 15 knots and waves will be out of the northwest 3 feet at four seconds and west 5 feet at 12 seconds. Sunday, the winds will increase out of the north 15 to 20 knots with waves out of the northwest 3 feet at five seconds and west 5 feet at 11 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.
CDPH warns consumers not to eat sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Del Norte County
In a press release issued by CDFW May 6, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters from Del Norte County.
Statement:
“Dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have been detected in mussels from Del Norte County. The naturally occurring PSP toxins can cause illness or death in humans. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.
This notification is in addition to the annual mussel quarantine which prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested for human consumption along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31. There are also shellfish safety notifications warning against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish in Sonoma, Marin, and San Mateo counties due to marine biotoxins. Additionally, there is a razor clam advisory for Humboldt County due to domoic acid.
PSP toxins affect the nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.
This warning does not apply to commercially sold mussels, clams, scallops, and 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 toxins.”
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.
Ruth Lake Bass tournament coming June 6
Fortuna Rotary and the Southern Trinity Area Rescue will be holding the annual “Paul Jadro Memorial Bass Tournament” on Saturday, June 6. Blast off will be at 5:45 a.m. or at first safe light, by draw. The one-day tournament offers a first prize award of up to $1,000 with payout to 1 in 3 in addition to door prizes and sponsor products. The entry fee is $140 per team with a big fish buy in option of $10. The tournament is catch and release and all competitors must fish from boats that are required to have operational live wells on board. Life jackets are required. Check in at the Marina on Friday June 5 at 4:30-6 p.m. or Saturday 4:30 – 5:15 a.m. For more information, contact Lon Winburn at 707-499-2490.
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.
The Oceans:
Eureka
The Pacific halibut bite remains slow, reports Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “I don’t necessarily think it’s because a lack of fish, there just hasn’t been much effort,” said Klassen. “It’s hard to gauge with just a few boats trying. We did land one Wednesday near the Eel River canyon. We were also able to boat some nice deep-water rockfish while we were down there. The rockfish bite at the Cape is still going well. There are some signs of salmon around, including the right kind of birds, which bodes well for the June opener.”
Trinidad
Ocean conditions look excellent on Friday for small boats and kayaks launching from the beach. The boat launch was scheduled to open May 6. For updates and current information, you can call the bait shop at 707-677-3625.
Shelter Cove
It’s pretty much the same story at the Cove reports Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. He said, “Great rock fishing, decent lingcod action, and pretty slow on Pacific halibut. The fishing has still been good close to port so we’re still spending our time around the whistle and Old Man.
Crescent City
Ocean conditions have been good this week and the rockfish bite continues to be excellent. The Sisters, South Reef and north at the light house are all giving up limits of rockfish. The ling bite hasn’t been as good, but boats are catching a few. The Pacific halibut bite hasn’t really taken off yet, but the effort has been very low. Look for that to change as we get deeper into May.
Brookings
Halibut season is off to a slow start out of Brookings, although most boats are still focusing on salmon reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “The kings are now being caught deeper, but still just a short run from the harbor,” said Martin. “The best salmon fishing has been in 180 feet of water off of Bird Island and Twin Rock. Lingcod and rockfish action continues to be excellent. Halibut season opened May 1, with rough weather. Tuesday was calm, but halibut catches were light.”
Lower Rogue
According to Martin, the Rogue River is low and clear, and springer fishing is slow, although boats trolling in the ocean near the buoys are catching nice springers.
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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