Fishing the North Coast with Kenny Priest

Offshore Anglers Take Advantage of Calm Seas

San Jose resident Jeff Ewing boated this 50-plus pound halibut Tuesday while fishing aboard the *Shellback* out of Trinidad. Photo courtesy of Tony Sepulveda/Green Water Fishing Adventures

Ocean conditions can make all the difference when it comes to catching – or not. And favorable conditions have been few and far between this season. But when the stars align like they did Wednesday, good things happen. The Eureka fleet took full advantage and boats made their way to the halibut grounds while some pointed south to Cape Mendocino. Both locations provided anglers with plenty of bent rods and coolers full of fish. The halibut bite was some of the best we’ve seen this season, with lots of boats headed in early with limits. The boats who made their way south also reported some wide-open fishing, with plenty of rockfish to fill the buckets. The lingcod bite was red-hot, providing some of the best action in a couple years. But just as soon as the ocean calmed, winds will once again pick up starting Friday and the weekend and into next week look iffy.

Weekend marine forecast
Following a few days of calm seas, near gale to locally gale force gusts is possible across the outer waters Friday. This will generate steep seas, with short period seas picking up to around 8 to 10 feet at 8 to 9 seconds Friday afternoon. Winds will diminish throughout the weekend as another upper level trough moves over the area. As of Thursday afternoon, Friday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds at 15 to 20 knots and waves northwest 6 feet at seven seconds and northwest 5 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday forecast is calling for north winds at 10 to 15 knots and waves northwest 5 feet at seven seconds. Winds will be out of the north Sunday 10 to 15 knots with northwest waves 6 feet at 12 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit weather.gov/eureka or windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

July 6 is statewide free fishing day
On Saturday, July 6, people may fish California’s waters without a sport fishing license. All regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. On Free Fishing Days, every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead, sturgeon, spiny lobster, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity river systems. For more information visit, wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days

Eel River fish counts
As of May 26, 2024, the final counts for salmonids and lamprey are: 270 steelhead (97 female, 83 male, 38 unknown adults, 52 subadults). 255 Chinook (73 female, 72 male, 21 unknown adults, 89 jacks). 1,827 Pacific lamprey. These counts don’t reflect the entire population; only the fish who travel over 150 miles to the fish ladder at Cape Horn Dam. Historic fish count numbers can be found here.

California halibut update
The CA halibut bite has been slowed this week according to Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors. He said, “The big tides at the end of last week and earlier this week are the culprit. Humboldt Bay is pretty dirty as well. Live bait, swim baits or tube jigs seem to be the ticket still. The second and third channels seem to be the most productive.” The California halibut bag and total possession limit is two in California waters north of Point Sur, Monterey County. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length.

The Oceans:
Eureka
The ocean finally laid down for a few days, and the catch rates for rockfish and Pacific halibut both soared reports Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “Conditions were decent Tuesday, and quite a few halibut were caught by the handful of boats who made it out,” said Klassen. “On Wednesday, the seas were really calm and we made the run south to Cape Mendocino where the rockfish and lingcod bite was excellent. The area was full of life, with lots of bait on the surface and the fish plugged full of krill. Half of our catch were blacks, but we also had some good variety. Vermilion, coppers, yellowtail, and some cabezon rounded out the limits. The lingcod bite was the best I’ve seen in a couple years. Wednesday’s halibut scores were also good. Lots of limits were reported by charters and private boats fishing off the stacks in 300 feet of water. There were also a couple caught down at the Cape.”

Shelter Cove
The rockfish bite remains a little tougher than usual according to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “We’re still getting limits, but having to work at it with all the brown water,” said Mitchell. “The lingcod bite continues to be hit and miss. A couple days we got easy limits, and others we struggled to get just a few. We’re spending our days fishing around the whistle and Old Man.”

Crescent City
“The rockfish bite is still going strong,” said Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “The lingcod bite has also really picked up and we’re seeing some nice ones caught. The Pacific halibut bite, however, is still really slow. Very few have been caught since the season opened. The California halibut action is heating up, with trollers along South Beach catching quite a few. The fish have been bigger this year, with plenty of fish over 30 inches being caught. Anchovies have been the bait of choice. The redtail bite remains steady at Kellogg Beach.”

Chris Cooke, a deckhand for Brookings Fishing Charters, holds a pair of hatchery coho salmon from earlier this week. Photo courtesy of Brookings Fishing Charters

Brookings
“Salmon fishing has improved in the ocean out of Brookings, even as windy weather has kept boats in close,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “A few kings and big numbers of coho salmon are being caught. Plenty of hatchery keepers are in the mix. A big return of coho is expected on the Columbia River this fall, and those fish first appear on the southern Oregon Coast. Trolling anchovies behind Fish Flash flashers and divers close to the surface is working best. Better weather is expected this week. A few halibut are being caught, and catches should improve with the calmer conditions offshore.”

Lower Rogue/Chetco
According to Martin, a few kings are now being caught in the Rogue Bay. “Water temperatures are close to 70 degrees, which will force salmon to hold up in the bay, where kings begin to stack up where the warmer water from upriver and cooler ocean water mix. Summer steelhead are biting near Agness. A few sea-run cutthroat trout are being caught on spinners in the Chetco tidewater.”

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.

Pacific halibut bite remains slow off the coast

Tristan Clewell landed a 42.5-pound Pacific halibut Wednesday fishing out of Crescent City. The big fish is now atop the leader board in the Crescent City Englund Marine Pacific Halibut Contest. Photo courtesy of Englund Marine/Crescent City.

The Pacific halibut bite continues to be slow along the North Coast, but it is showing signs of life. As conditions improved mid-week, boats out of Trinidad and Crescent City both saw an uptick in fish coming back to port. The same cannot be said for Eureka. Persistent wind and sloppy conditions have kept boats mostly tied to the dock. Boats finally made it offshore Wednesday, but there weren’t many biters to be had. Marginal conditions are in the forecast for the next several days, so that means consistent time on the water will be hard to come by. But there is a silver lining to all this wind. The halibut catch has been so minuscule CDFW has yet to update the in-season catch estimates. At this rate, there may be enough quota to get us to the mid-November season closure.

Weekend marine forecast
Northerlies will continue to decrease into Wednesday, but will remain in small craft criteria for all zones except the northern inner waters. Each afternoon there will be a slight uptick in winds coming from the north. As of Thursday afternoon, Friday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 15 to 20 knots and waves northwest 6 feet at seven seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 10 to 15 knots and waves north 6 feet at seven seconds. The winds will be out of the north Sunday 15 to 20 knots, with north waves 5 feet at six seconds and west 2 feet at 13 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit weather.gov/eureka or windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

California halibut bite remains steady
The California halibut bite has been good lately, but not wide-open. According the Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors, the quality of fish has been good, and there hasn’t been many shakers. “The best bite has been in the second channel and third channels in the north bay,” said Kelly. “Shiner perch and herring seem to be the ticket right now.” Minus tides with big swings are forecast to begin this weekend.

As a reminder, the California halibut bag and total possession limit was reduced from three to two in California waters north of Point Sur, Monterey County last June. The minimum size limit is 22 inches total length. The reduced California halibut limit is designed to protect the resource amid increased recreational fishing pressure due to limited fishing opportunities and changes in other ocean fisheries including salmon.

Freshwater Lagoon/Sequoia Park Pond trout plants
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website, Freshwater Lagoon has been planted with trout weekly beginning with the week of May 19 and will continue through the week of June 23. The Sequoia Park Pond was planted during the week of May 16. Both are open to fishing year-round and the limit is 5 trout per day and 10 in possession. For more information, visit https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishPlants/Default.aspx?county=Humboldt&time or call (530) 225-2146.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Boats finally got back offshore Wednesday, but the Pacifici halibut bite continues to be slow. According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, only a handful were caught. “There were quite a few boats out, but it sounded like scores ranged from zero to two per boat,” said Klassen. “The water was pretty choppy and dirty, which doesn’t help the bite. Ocean conditions look marginal through Saturday before the wind returns Sunday. Hopefully having a few days strung together will help our chances.”

Shelter Cove
Not much to report out of the Cove this week. Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing was able to get out just one day due to the weather. “We fished around the whistle, but it was kind of slow,” said Mitchell. “We were able to get limits of rockfish, but just two lingcod.”

Crescent City
The Pacific halibut bite has finally picked up this week,” said Kevin Hooper of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “We’ve seen a few come in, which has been good to see. The rockfish bite is still good and should only improve as the conditions get better. It looks like the California halibut are finally arriving in better numbers. There were several caught this week by anglers tossing jigs off the rock wall across from the boat launch. The redtail perch bite has picked up as well with Kellogg Beach being the top spot.”

Capt. Mick Thomas holds a hatchery king salmon caught last week on the Miss Brooke by Robert Timm, trolling an anchovy behind a Fish Flash flasher. Photo courtesy of Brooking Fishing Charters

Brookings
“Salmon fishing has improved out of Brookings, although it is still fair to slow,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Hatchery coho, along with wild coho, are being caught three to five miles offshore. King fishing is best at first light near the buoys and mouth of the Chetco. The water is still cold, less than 48 degrees, which has slowed the bite. Halibut fishing is still slow. Lingcod and rockfish action has been good.”

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, spring salmon fishing is slow on the Rogue as anglers transition from upriver anchor fishing to trolling the bay. “A few kings are being caught. Upriver near Shady Cove and Lost Creek Dam, springer fishing is good for anglers back-bouncing roe in the deeper holes.”

Gusty Conditions Continue on the North Coast

A nice lingcod was caught by Aiden from Utah on a recent trip out of Crescent City with Steve Huber of Crescent City Fishing. Photo courtesy of Crescent City Fishing.

Gale-force north winds in May and June are historically common along the North Coast. But this year seems to be bordering on excessive. The Eureka fleet is having to pay the heaviest toll following another week of rough seas, managing to only get offshore once since last week. Shelter Cove, Trinidad, and Crescent City, with much shorter runs to the fishing grounds and no bar to tackle, are having a better go at it. On most days they’re able to get out in the mornings and put in quick limits of rockfish.

But Eureka does have a pretty good plan B. And that would be California halibut within Humboldt Bay. The bite is heating up, with a few more caught daily. There aren’t a lot of anchovies in the bay yet, but there seem to be plenty of shiner perch for those wanting live bait. Anglers fishing dead bait and even jigs and swimbaits are having success as well. The fishing seems to really improve when we have the smaller tide swings, which are happening now. The minimum size is 22 inches and the daily bag and possession limit is two.

Weekend marine forecast
Hazardous seas and gusty winds will relent starting Friday, but conditions still look pretty rough through the weekend. On Friday, north winds are predicted at 10 to 15 knots and waves from the north 7 feet at seven seconds and west 4 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for north winds 10 to 15 knots and north waves 4 feet at five seconds and west 3 feet at 10 seconds. The winds will increase slightly Sunday, blowing 15 to 20 knots out of the north. Waves will be from the north 6 feet at six seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit weather.gov/eureka or windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

The Oceans:
Eureka
There was a brief break in the wind last Saturday, and a few boats made it to the halibut grounds where a few halibut were caught. By Sunday we were back to terrible offshore conditions, and the Eureka fleet has been tied up since. It looks like we’ll have more of the same through at least Monday.

Trinidad
“The rockfish bite has been a little hit or miss,” said Curt Wilson of Wind Rose Charters. “If you land on em’, you can do really well. But some days it’s been a little more of a struggle to get limits. The lingcod bite hasn’t been very good the last few days out, but that can change quickly. Especially if the ocean conditions improve. The crabbing is still good, with easy limits each day.”

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, it’s been pretty much the same story this week. “On the days we can get out, we’ve been greeted by dirty water,” said Mitchell. “This has made the fishing challenging, but we’re still grinding out limits. We’ve only caught three Pacific halibut this season, and all have come while targeting rockfish. We’re spending most of our time around the whistle and the Old Man.”

Crescent City
According to Benjamin Ferguson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, limits of rockfish are still being caught despite the wind. He said, “When the boats can get out, the rockfish limits are coming pretty easily. If they’re able to stay out long enough, boats have been able to get their lings as well. Most of the action has been in the vicinity of the North Reef and Pt. St. George Lighthouse area. There’re still a few California halibut being caught off the rock wall, depending on the water temperatures. The redtails are biting too, with Kellogg and South beach being the best spots. There were a few stripers caught last week toward the end of South Beach.”

Knox Barcelos of Eureka caught a couple nice trout while fishing the Sequoia Park Pond in Eureka. The small, spring-fed pond nestled in an old redwood forest grove. The pond was last stocked with rainbow trout raised at the Mad River Hatchery by CDFW on May 24. It is a good place for young anglers to catch trout, given most of the shoreline is accessible. Photo courtesy of Doyle Miller

Brookings
A few salmon were caught in the ocean out of Brookings over the weekend and again on Monday reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Kings from 10 to 20 pounds were biting from Salmon Rock to the red buoy, said Martin. “Windy weather prevented boats from getting offshore, although nicer conditions are expected this weekend. Big schools of bait are balled up near the mouth of the Chetco. The salmon caught in recent days have been on anchovies fished with spreaders and lead, or divers, within 25 feet of the surface. Lingcod and rockfish action has been good, while a few halibut showed up in the catch over the weekend.”

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, the Rogue River has slowed for spring salmon, but a few fish are still trickling in. “Action is slow on the bay, but anglers are now trolling, encouraged by hot weather inland, which has warmed river temperature. Wild kings may now be kept.”

Boats Capitalize on Break in the Wind

Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, far right, and his customers had a great day Sunday with limits of Pacific halibut out of Eureka. Photo courtesy of Reel Steel Sport Fishing.

Last Sunday provided offshore anglers along the entire North Coast some of the best ocean conditions since the rockfish and Pacific halibut seasons kicked off. And plenty of boats took full advantage. Leaving Humboldt Bay, there were a steady stream of boats headed south, reacquainting themselves with Cape Mendocino. Reportedly, the fishing was excellent with lots of rockfish and lingcod coming over the rails. A good number of boats chose to head west and take a go at Pacific halibut. That move paid off as well as boats were met with cleaner water and hungry halibut. By Monday, conditions were starting to change for the worse, again, but there were a good number of halibut caught. Tuesday saw the wind return, and it looks like it will stick around through the work week. Saturday looks to be fishable, but by Sunday winds up to 20 knots will return.

Weekend marine forecast
Seas will continue to be rough through Friday, but Saturday looks like it will be fishable. Friday’s forecast is calling for 5 to 10 knot winds out of the northwest and waves north 8 feet at seven seconds and northwest 4 feet at 12 seconds. Saturday looks better, with northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and waves northwest 4 feet at six seconds and west 4 feet at 11 seconds. The wind will pick back up Sunday, coming from the north 15 to 20 knots. Waves will be out of the north 7 feet at seven seconds and west 7 feet at 13 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com. To monitor the latest Humboldt bar conditions, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/eka/swan. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

USCG Captains Course offered in Eureka starting June 17
Canopy Wind and Vineyard Offshore have teamed up to provide up to 15 full-tuition scholarships for the upcoming OUPV/Master up to 100-ton Captain’s course being held in Humboldt Bay from June 17-28. This course is not typically offered in Northern California, so this is a great opportunity to help educate some local folks who are looking to increase their employment opportunities. Please be sure you meet the requirements of the course before applying. These seats will be first come first served. Feel free to pass along to anyone you think may be interested. For more information, call 866-300-5984.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Sunday provided the best offshore conditions of the season, and the Eureka fleet took full advantage. According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, it was probably the best day weather-wise of the season. “Conditions on the halibut grounds were much-improved, and the scores reflected that. Quite a few halibut were caught off the stacks in roughly 300 feet of water. The water cleaned up a little and there wasn’t much swell, so that made a big difference. The conditions weren’t quite as good Monday, but there were some fish caught by the boats that tried. There are some really nice fish around, with quite a few in the upper 60’s to 70 pounds. Plenty of boats made their way to the Cape for rockfish, and I heard it was good fishing. Sounds like there were more lingcod around too. It looks like the wind will keep us off the water at least through the week. There is some warm water starting to show off the coast. It looked like we had 60-degree water within striking distance. Fort Bragg has some tuna water sitting off their coast as well, so hopefully we’ll get an opportunity for some albacore soon.”

Trinidad
“The flat ocean on Sunday provided some much-improved rockfish action,” said Curt Wilson of Wind Rose Charters. “The water cleaned up just enough and the rockfish bite was much better. The calm seas helped as well. There were some Pacific halibut caught Sunday, mostly straight out in 300 feet of water with a few coming in deeper water.”

Shelter Cove
Fishing out of the Cove has been hit and miss according to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “We’ve had a lot of dirty water, which has made the fishing slower, said Mitchell. “On the days when the water is cleaner, we’ve done much better. We’re getting limits of rockfish every day but lingcod limits have been harder to come by. We’ve been spending most of our days at the Old Man.”

Crescent City
Sunday’s break in the weather provided anglers the opportunity to finally get out and hit some of their favorite rockfish and lingcod spots reports Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “The Sisters was one of the areas that saw a lot of action, and the fishing was good for both rockfish and lingcod. I didn’t hear of any Pacific halibut being caught. The California halibut bite is still pretty slow, but a few have been caught by kayaks and small boats trolling anchovies or herring along South Beach.”

Brookings
“Salmon action is still slow in the ocean out of Brookings,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “A few halibut are being caught. Lingcod and rockfish action has been good on calm weather days. Nice weather is expected this weekend. Surfperch action remains good.”

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, spring salmon fishing is hit-and-miss on the Rogue, with good catches one day followed by a few days of slow fishing. “Wild king salmon may now be kept. Hatchery springers are still showing in the catch. A few boats are now trolling the bay, but best catches have been upriver still.”

Wind Continues to Hamper Offshore Anglers

Dave Dadua of Lodoga, CA landed a nice cabezon on a recent trip out of Shelter Cove. Photo courtesy of Jake Mitchell, Sea Hawk Sport Fishing.

It’s been another quiet week for offshore anglers along the North Coast. The north winds have been howling for nearly the entire month of May, but it looks as though we’re about to get a reprieve. The wind is forecast to come down starting Saturday and it looks like we’ll get a few consecutive days on the water, something that hasn’t happened much this month. To date, both the Pacific halibut and rockfish fisheries haven’t offered much in the way of excitement. Hopefully that will change starting this weekend.

Weekend marine forecast
Ocean conditions will be much improved beginning Saturday. Looking towards the weekend, winds will be from the northwest 5 to 10 knots Saturday with waves northwest 5 feet at six seconds. Sunday is looking really good, with northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and waves north 2 feet at five seconds and northwest 4 feet at 11 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit weather.gov/eureka or windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

Oregon salmon must be brought onto Oregon shores
In a CDFW press release issued May 24, they are reminding California anglers of important rules relating to transport of ocean and river salmon taken from Oregon.

The press release states:

“In ocean waters, any salmon taken in Oregon fisheries may not be brought to shore in California. However, it is legal for Californians to trailer their vessels to launch and fish from Oregon ports under applicable Oregon fishing licenses, regulations and reporting requirements. Salmon harvested in Oregon may be brought into California over land if also accompanied by a California Declaration for Entry Form. The declaration must be completed at or prior to the time of entry. After the time of entry, a copy of the completed declaration shall be submitted to CDFW within 24 hours.

On May 16, 2024, the National Marine Fisheries Service on advice from the Pacific Fishery Management Council and West Coast fisheries agencies, including CDFW, took in season action to implement a landing boundary at the Oregon/California state line for recreational ocean salmon fisheries in Oregon waters just north of California. The new requirement states that any salmon taken under Oregon sportfishing regulations in the area between Humbug Mountain and the Oregon/California state line, also known as the Oregon Klamath Management Zone, must be landed north of the Oregon/California state line for the 2024 fishing season.”

USCG Captains Course offered in Eureka
The USCG Master 100ton/OUPV course will be held here in Humboldt Bay from June 17-28. Hosted by the City of Eureka, tuition for 15 students will be fully funded by Vineyard and RWE. Information on requirements and a link to the course registration are can be found here. You will need to reserve your seat with a deposit.

Ruth Lake Bass tournament coming this Saturday
Southern Trinity Area Rescue will be holding the annual “Paul Jadro Memorial Bass Tournament” on Saturday, June 1. Blast off will be at 5:45 a.m. or at first safe light, by draw. The one-day tournament event 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 May 31 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 bite heating up
The California halibut bite is starting to pick up as quite a few were caught late last week and into Saturday. According the Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors, the best bite was in the second channel in the north bay. “Swimbaits seem to be the ticket right now, with chartreuse and white being the most productive,” said Kelly. “The bite has slowed this week mostly due to the wind. You can do ok in the mornings if the tides are right.”

Fish for free this weekend in Oregon
Oregon will be having a Free Fishing Weekend June 1 and 2. On those two days, no license, tag or endorsement is required to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. This applies only to waters already open to fishing, crabbing or clamming. All other regulations, such as bag limits, still apply. Visit www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2024/05_May/052324.asp for more information.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Excessive winds are keeping the Eureka fleet from putting quality time on the water. According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, Friday and Tuesday were the only fishable days in the past week. “The halibut fishing remains slow, but we haven’t had much time to look around yet,” said Klassen. “And when we’ve gone out, conditions have been tough. We’ve had some big tides and the water has been dirty. There’s been a little bite right at the tide change, but that was about it. The rockfish bite at the Cape has been good, but we’ve only been down there a couple days. The lingcod bite has been slow, but there’s plenty of blacks, vermilions, and canaries. The wind looks like it let up this weekend, right now Sunday and Monday are looking fishable.”

Trinidad
“The rockfish bite has been a little on the slow side so far,” said Curt Wilson of Wind Rose Charters. “We’ve been able to get limits, but you have to keep at and really know the spots well. We’re working spots from Trinidad Head to Patrick’s Point. The Pacific halibut bite hasn’t taken off yet, I’ve only heard of one caught so far. The crabbing has been excellent. There’s lots of them, but they aren’t in the greatest shape right now.”

Shelter Cove
“Rock fishing has been good and the lingcod bite really picked up over the weekend,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “Dirty water moved back in Tuesday and the bite slowed. Most of our effort has been at the Old Man.”

Crescent City
The wind continues to blow, keeping most of the boats off the water reports Britt Carson, of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “There were a couple days with decent conditions, but the rockfish and lingcod bite slowed just a little. There have been a few more California halibut caught off the rocks this week. There’s also been a few stripers caught at the very end of Enderts Beach. The Pacific halibut bite is still slow, mostly due to lack of effort. I’ve heard of just the one caught since the opener.”

Brookings
“Salmon fishing continues to be slow out of Brookings, mainly because of cold water temperatures of 45 to 46 degrees,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Even with calm conditions over the weekend, very few salmon were brought in. Halibut fishing has improved, while lingcod and rockfish action is good. Windy weather returns Tuesday afternoon.”

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, a few springers are still entering the Rogue, but most anglers are waiting for fish to begin holding up in the bay. “Wild fish may be kept beginning June 1.”

Send in your fish photos
Land a big lingcod or halibut lately? Or maybe your friend or relative has reeled in their first perch. Email your fishing photo to kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com and I’ll run them with the “Fishing the North Coast” weekly blog. Just include the name of the angler in the photo, where and when it was taken and any other details you’d like to share.

Kenny Priest (he/him) 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

Numerous Options for the Holiday Weekend Anglers

Theodore Laszczewski, right, along with Chase Engberg landed a pair of limits of California halibut while fishing Humboldt Bay last Saturday. The halibut bite is finally starting to show signs of life and should be a good option for the holiday weekend. Photo courtesy of Chase Engberg.

For anglers across the North Coast, Memorial Day weekend provides an excellent opportunity to try your luck at a variety of fishing locations. With plenty of options on the table, the biggest decision might not be if you want to go, but where. Here are a few of the options that will hopefully make your decision a little easier this holiday weekend:

Jetties for rockfish and lingcod —When the windisn’t howling, the jetties have been providing excellent rockfish and lingcod action. Small swimbaits or scampi jigs are catching fish as well as herring fished under a float.

California halibut —If bank angling is your only option, check out Fairhaven Beach on the bay side of the Samoa Peninsula. Fishing is best a couple hours before and after high tide. Swimbaits attached to a ¾-ounce jig head is a good bait choice. If you have a boat, fish have been caught in the middle channel the last few days, with swimbaits working best.

Freshwater Lagoon trout —Planted regularly with catchable-sized trout, there should be ample opportunities for shore-based anglers as well as boat fishermen. An easy rig to fish is a Berkley PowerBait with an egg sinker.

Ruth Lake trout and bass —Nice weather and a family-friendly atmosphere make this a great spot for the weekend. Reportedly, the trout and bass bite are heating up.

Elk River redtail perch —If it’s perch you’re after and the ocean is too rough, Elk River Beach is a great spot to target redtails. Two hours prior to high tide and an hour after typically are the optimal times. Shrimp, clams, swimbaits and sand crabs all work.

Trinidad Harbor rockfish —A great option for rockfish and crab, especially if the ocean is rough. Launching a small boat from the beach is fairly easy. You’ll want to get an early start before the afternoon wind kicks in.

Dungeness Crab —Anglers dropping pots outside of the bay entrance are still catching a few Dungeness crab when the weather cooperates, though there hasn’t been a ton of effort. If it’s too rough, there’s some good locations inside Humboldt Bay. Out in front of the PG&E plant is a good spot as well as the flat off the South Jetty parking lot. Another top location is either side of the channel leading into the South Bay.

North Coast rivers —Many of the local rivers will re-open to fishing beginning Saturday, May 25. Rivers that will open include sections of the main Eel (South Fork to Cape Horn Dam), South Fork Eel (South Fork Eel River from mouth to Rattlesnake Creek) Van Duzen, Mad, Little River, Mattole and Smith. Be sure to check the regulations prior to fishing.
Fisheries currently closed: Red Abalone, Mussels, Razor Clams (both Humboldt and Del Norte Counties), Ocean and River Chinook fishing.

Weekend marine forecast
After a couple weeks of gale-force winds, we’ll finally get a break Friday. Winds will pick back up slightly over the weekend before they come back down Monday. Friday, winds will be out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 3 feet at eight seconds. Saturday is looking a little windier, with north winds 10 to 15 knots and northwest waves 5 feet at seven seconds. Sunday, the wind will be out of the north 10 to 15 knots with north waves 3 feet at five seconds and northwest 4 feet at eight seconds. Monday is looking better, with north winds 5 to 10 knots forecast along with north waves 3 feet at five seconds and northwest 3 feet at nine seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

Weekend tides
The latest round of minus tides will begin Friday, but low tides will occur in the mornings over the holiday weekend when boats could be leaving the bay. Coupled with decent-sized swells, this could create a dangerous Humboldt Bay bar crossing. Saturday May 25: Low: 8:12 a.m. (-1.4 feet); Sunday May 26: Low: 8:56 a.m. (-1.4 feet); Monday May 27: Low: 9:42 a.m. (-1.29 feet)

Ruth Lake Bass tournament coming June 1
Southern Trinity Area Rescue will be holding the annual “Paul Jadro Memorial Bass Tournament” on Saturday, June 1. Blast off will be at 5:45 a.m. or at first safe light, by draw. The one-day tournament event 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 May 31 at 4:30-6 p.m. or Saturday 4:30 – 5:15 a.m. For more information, contact Lon Winburn at 707-499-2490.

The Oceans:
Eureka
It’s been nearly two weeks since boats have crossed the bar out of Eureka for Pacific halibut and rockfish. The weather for Friday looks doable, and I expect quite a few boats will give it a go. Saturday and Sunday don’t look as good, but Monday is looking good as of Thursday.

Trinidad
Ocean conditions are looking good for Friday and Monday out of Trinidad. It looks like small boats and kayakers will have a window of opportunity to launch off the beach to target rockfish and crab. The boat launch will be open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesdays. The launch fee this season is $45. For updates and current information, you can call the bait shop at 677-3625.

Shelter Cove
“We haven’t been out since last Saturday as it’s been very windy,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “Due to the conditions, we just fished right out front. Fishing was slow but we managed limits of rockfish and two lingcod. The forecast doesn’t look to get better anytime soon but I’m going to try a few times this week.”

Crescent City
Like everywhere else along the North Coast, Crescent City has been dealing with wind for close to two weeks. A few of the bigger boats have got out for quick trips in the morning, but that’s been about it, reports Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “Friday’s forecast is looking much better, so I’d expect lots of boats to be out. Some warm water pushed in close to the beach last weekend and brought with it some California halibut. Anglers fishing from the rocks across from the boat ramp with some good timing landed a few. But the bite went south quick as the water cooled.”

Brookings
“Windy weather has kept boats close to the harbor in Brookings, limiting success for salmon, halibut and even rockfish and lingcod,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “A brief early morning window has allowed boats to get an hour or two of bottom fishing in before the gale-force winds arrive each day. Calmer weather is expected this weekend. Early in the season, salmon tend to be offshore, in 200 to 300 feet of water, three to five miles offshore.”

River openings
Sections of the main Eel (South Fork to Cape Horn Dam), South Fork Eel (South Fork Eel River from mouth to Rattlesnake Creek) Van Duzen, Mad, Little River, Mattole and Smith will re-open on Saturday, May 25. On most rivers, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Click here for a complete list of CA river openings and regulations. The Chetco opened to trout fishing Wednesday.

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, Rogue springer action is hit and miss, with a few salmon now being caught by trollers in the bay. “Wild salmon can be kept beginning June 1.”

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.

Slow Start for Pacific Halibut Anglers

The Pacific halibut season is off to a slower start than usual, mostly due to rough ocean conditions. There are a few being caught out of Eureka, like the one pictured here from Alec of McKinleyville who landed his first halibut last weekend. Photo courtesy of Micah Woolworth/Lost Coast Sport Fishing

Ocean conditions, lack of effort, or lack of fish, whatever the reason may be, it’s contributing to a much slower start to the Pacific halibut season than in years past. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a combination of the first two. Since the season opened on May 1, there’s been just a handful of days which boats were able to get far enough offshore to where the halibut frequent. And Eureka isn’t alone, anglers from Shelter Cove up to Crescent City have been stymied by conditions which are leading to the lack of success. But don’t expect this trend to continue. Once we get a steady dose of flat water, you can bet the boats will hone in on the fish and we’ll begin to see some big bites taken out of the 38,220 pound quota. To keep an eye on the in-season Pacific halibut catch rate, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut#31670772-in-season-tracking.

Marine Forecast
Ocean conditions have been horrible all week, and that trend looks to continue through the weekend and into next week. As of Thursday, Friday’s forecast is calling for north winds 20 to 30 knots with waves north 10 feet at nine seconds and northwest 3 feet at 12 seconds. Saturday, the winds will be out of the north 15 to 25 knots and waves will be out of the north 11 feet at 10 seconds. Sunday, winds will come from the north 15 to 25 knots with waves out of the north 10 feet at 10 seconds and southwest 2 feet at 18 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.

Kids free fishing derbies this Saturday
On Saturday, May 18, 2024 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 noon. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at noon. 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 18, 2023, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 50th 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 for everyone. For more information, call Scott at 408-401-8333.

Klamath basin and Central Valley rivers closed for Chinook
In the May 15 California Fish and Game Commission meeting, Commissioners voted unanimously to again enact a full closure of California’s recreational salmon fishing season in the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley rivers through its annual process for adjusting seasons and bag limits. The Commission also voted to close the springer fishery in the Klamath and Trinity rivers. Unlike last year, the Smith River and Eel Rivers will be open to salmon fishing in 2024.

The regulations are expected to take effect no later than July 1, 2024, following approval by the Office of Administrative Law. The low ocean abundance forecasts, coupled with low 2023 returns, led the Commission to recommend closure of California’s in-river recreational salmon fisheries, which include the Klamath and Trinity rivers within the Klamath Basin, the Sacramento, Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers in the Central Valley.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Wind and rough ocean conditions continue to be the story out of Eureka as boats haven’t been on the water since last weekend. “Halibut fishing was slow for everyone last Friday and Saturday,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “There were a few caught, but there was also a lot of skunks. With very few days on the water so far, no one has really looked around yet. It’s possible the fish may be further offshore. We just need some good weather to figure out where they are. As of now, it looks conditions will improve late next week.”

Trinidad
Ocean conditions have kept small boats and kayaks from launching this week. And it looks like more of the same through the weekend. The boat launch will be open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesdays. The launch fee this season is $45. For updates and current information, you can call the bait shop at 677-3625.

Shelter Cove
The last few days was some of the slowest rock fishing that I’ve ever seen at the Cove,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “We managed limits for two of the days, but it took us all day. And we only got one or two lingcod each day as well. We fished everywhere from Bear Harbor to Rodgers Break and it was more less the same every location we tried.”

Crescent City
Wind and rough seas have kept boats off the water this week, reports Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “Over the weekend, the rockfish bite was really good, with most of the boats heading south towards the Sisters. I’ve heard of one Pacific halibut caught so far, coming in last Friday and weighing 38.5 lbs. The lingcod bite has been really good off the jetties and rocks and the redtail perch bite at Kellogg Beach has been excellent.”

Brookings
Windy weather is expected to put a damper on this week’s ocean salmon opener out of Brookings,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “With schools of anchovies at the mouth of the Chetco, large numbers of pelicans and other birds, and reports of bottom fish anglers encountering salmon, the opener was expected to be good, but rough seas will prevent boats from getting to the best areas. Typically, salmon fishing is best 3 to 5 miles offshore in May and early June. Salmon season runs through August out of Brookings. Lingcod and rockfish action has been hot, but halibut season has been off to a slow start. Fishing has been good further up the coast in deeper water. Rough weather is expected through the weekend and will likely limit halibut trips until next week. Surfperch action continues to be good.”

Lower Rogue
According to Martin, spring salmon fishing has slowed, but Monday produced the best catches in nearly two weeks, with fresh schools of springers caught at the head of the bay. “Wild springers can be kept beginning June 1.”

Wind Keeping Boats Tied Up

Break in the Weather Coming Friday

Kelly Killingsworth of Fortuna landed his first-ever lingcod last Friday while fishing near Cape Mendocino with Eric Justesen of 707 Sportfishing aboard the *Wharf Rat II*. The big ling tipped the scales at 27-pounds. Photo courtesy of Eric Justesen/707 Sportfishing

After a couple decent days of fishing following the May 1 Pacific halibut opener, the Eureka fleet has been tied up since. But better conditions are on the horizon. Friday and Saturday are shaping up nicely, which could allow boats to explore some different spots. Conditions should be good enough to permit boats to hit Cape Mendocino for rockfish as well.

The windy weather is pretty typical for this time of the year on the coast. “We usually lose about half of May and June due to the wind, so this isn’t surprising,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “It looks like now we’ll get a couple days in, so hopefully we can look around a little to find some larger schools of halibut. The fishing hasn’t been red-hot, but we have a very small sample size with only a couple days on the water.”

Weekend marine forecast
Ocean conditions will finally improve Friday, giving boats a couple days on the water before the winds return Sunday. Friday, north winds will be 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at eight seconds. Winds will begin to increase Sunday, coming out of the north 5 to 15 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at seven 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.

Fish and Game Commission meeting coming May 15
The California Fish and Game Commission meeting will be live streamed on Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Visit https://fgc.ca.gov/ the day of the meeting to watch or listen. To provide public comment during the meeting, please join via Zoom, by telephone, or at an in-person location. For complete instructions on how to join via Zoom or telephone, click here. Locally, you can participate at the Trinidad Rancheria, Tribal Council Chambers 1, Cher-Ae Lane in Trinidad.

On the agenda, the commission will consider emergency closures of sport fishing in Klamath River Basin for spring Chinook salmon. Closures for fall Chinook fisheries in the Klamath River basin and the Central Valley will also be discussed.

A complete agenda and comment submission, and viewing information, can be found here.

Kids free fishing derbies
On Saturday, May 18, 2024 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 noon. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at noon. 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 18, 2023, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 50th 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 for everyone. For more information, call Scott at 408-401-8333.

Crescent City
There hasn’t been much effort this past week due to windy conditions, reports Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “When the boats were able to get out, the rock fishing was excellent. The Sisters and the lighthouse, within the 20-fathom line, were both top spots. There hasn’t been any halibut caught as of yet, but that should change when the conditions get better.”

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, it’s been a windy week at the Cove. He said, “We were able to make it up to Rogers Break Sunday, and the rock fishing was great. We were also able to scratch up a couple halibut as well. Looks like the ocean will improve the next few days.”

Lower Rogue
“Spring salmon fishing has slowed on the Rogue, but nice kings are being caught,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Hatchery fish continue to move in. Last weekend’s rain could result in good fishing later this week.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, the Pacific halibut fishing is slow out of Brookings, in part because of windy weather offshore. “Lingcod and rockfish action continues to be good, along with beach fishing for surfperch. Nice weather is expected this weekend. Salmon are being caught and released during bottom fish trips, and pelicans have arrived in large numbers to feed on anchovies, good signs for the May 16 ocean king opener in Southern Oregon.”

Eureka boats get back on the halibut

Trinidad resident Summit Hodgeson holds a nice Pacific halibut caught Thursday while fishing aboard the SEAWEASEL II out of Eureka. Photo courtesy of Gary Blasi, Full Throttle Sport Fishing

The much-anticipated rockfish and Pacific halibut opener was slated for Wednesday, but Mother Nature wasn’t having it. Ocean conditions out of Eureka weren’t very good, with strong winds keeping the Eureka fleet tied to the dock. That’s the bad news. The good news is the seas calmed and boats headed out through Humboldt Bay Thursday in search of the season’s first haul of Pacific halibut. And once the boats made it to the halibut grounds, it didn’t take long to find the season’s first biters. A few charter and private boats took advantage of decent weather, with some boats putting in limits of halibut to 50 pounds. Most of the action was straight out in 300 feet of water. Ocean conditions look fishable at least through the Monday, and we now know the fish are there.

The Pacific halibut season will be open until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The fishery will be open seven days a week, and the limit remains at one with no size restrictions.

Tom Beers from Medford, OR holds a pair of lingcod caught Wednesday out of Crescent City while fishing with Crescent City Fishing. Photo courtesy of Steve Huber, Crescent City Fishing

Up in Crescent City, where ocean conditions were a little better and no bar crossing to contend with, boats hit all the usual spots and found plenty of hungry rockfish and ling cod. Most boats were able to put aboard limits pretty quickly. There weren’t any reports of Pacific halibut taken Wednesday or Thursday.

Down in Shelter Cove, boats were battling rough conditions, but managed to catch some rockfish. According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, the first couple days was a little slow, mostly due to conditions. “The lingcod bite was a little slow too, we managed about a fish per rod fishing right out front,” said Mitchell. “The weather hasn’t cooperated enough to let us get to the halibut grounds yet.”

Weekend marine forecast
Other than a decent amount of rain forecasted for Saturday, ocean conditions look good through Monday. Saturday, winds will be out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots with west waves 5 feet at seven seconds. Sunday, winds will be 5 to 10 knots out of the southwest with west waves 6 feet at nine seconds and northwest 3 feet at 14 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or https://www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

The beach/jetties
The wind has made the beaches tough for anglers looking for redtail perch. When the ocean is rough, the mouth of the Elk River (stinky beach) or King Salmon are two of the better options to get out of the wind. Both can produce quality perch action. Conditions look better the next few days. Centerville, Table Bluff, Samoa, and any of the lagoon beaches can provide excellent fishing. Both jetties, weather permitting, have been giving up some nice black rockfish and some nice lingcod. The south jetty hasn’t been as good, but that will likely change as water and weather conditions improve. Small swimbaits or scampi jigs are catching fish as well as herring fished under a float.

Humboldt County razor clam closure
On May 2, the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife closed the recreational razor clam fishery in Humboldt County following a recommendation from state health agencies. It was determined in late April that consumption of razor clams in the area poses a significant threat for domoic acid exposure. The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County remains closed due to elevated levels of domoic acid. The closure, which began in November 2023, will remain in effect until state health agencies determine razor clams no longer pose a health risk. More information can be found here.

Annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels Begins May 1
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a press release on April 30 announcing the annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels gathered along the California coast. The quarantine began 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.

Upcoming kids fishing derbies
On Saturday, May 18, 2024 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 noon. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at noon. For more information, call the Ruth Lake Community Services District at 707-574-6332 or visit https://www.ruthlakecsd.org/local-events/

RMI Outdoors fishing contest
RMI Outdoors of Eureka is holding their annual Screamin’ Reels fishing contest starting April 1 and running through Sept. 2. To enter, take a picture with your fish and like the RMI Facebook page at facebook.com/RMIOutdoors. Message RMI or email your picture to megan@rmioutdoorseureka.com. There are two categories, youth and adult youth. The youth with the most likes wins a fishing package and $50 RMI gift card and the adult youth with the most likes wins a $50 RMI gift card and a fishing rod. Visit rmioutdoorseureka.com/screamin-reels for more information.

Lower Rogue
Spring salmon action has been hit-and-miss on the Rogue, but some boats are getting a fish or two a day reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The best action has been at the head of the bay, where boats are anchoring on the outgoing tide,” said Martin. “The first springers of the year have been caught on the upper Rogue near Shady Cove.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, the lingcod and rockfish bite continues to be good out of Brookings during calm weather days. “This weekend looks decent. Halibut season opened Wednesday, but boats stayed close to shore because of windy weather. A few boats were expected to venture out for halibut on Thursday. Surfperch action has been very good at Chetco Point, Lone Ranch and the mouth of the Winchuck.”

Kenny Priest (he/him) 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.

Double Your Pleasure – Rockfish and Halibut to Open May 1

Ron Jacobs of Fortuna holds a Vermilion rockfish caught last week while fishing deepwater off of Eureka. The offshore only fishery will close after April 30 and the nearshore fishery will open May 1. Photo courtesy of Tim Klassen, Reel Steel Sport Fishing

Following a chaotic offseason that included way too many meetings, it’s finally time to go fishing. Though our ocean sport and commercial salmon seasons are both closed this year, we did manage to come away with a pretty good rockfish season and a Pacific halibut season similar to last year. And both will open next Wednesday, May 1.

Pacific halibut
The Pacific halibut season will be open until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The 2024 Pacific halibut quota for the California subarea is 38,220 pounds — with 500 pounds set aside for the area south of Point Arena. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will monitor catches of Pacific halibut during the season and provide catch projection updates on its Pacific halibut webpage.

The fishery will be open seven days a week, and the limit remains at one with no size restrictions. When angling, no more than one line with two hooks attached may be used. A harpoon, gaff or net may be used to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught by angling. Pacific halibut regulations can be found here.

Rockfish
The inshore boat-based rockfish season in the Northern Management Area, which runs from the California-Oregon border to the 40°10′ North latitude (near Cape Mendocino), will run through Sept. 30, inshore only. Take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line.

From Oct. 1 to 31 and Dec. 1 to 31, the season will be open for offshore only fishery where take is prohibited shoreward of 50 fathoms (300) feet. From Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, rockfish will be open again to an inshore fishery only. In the Mendocino Management Area, which includes Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg, all the seasons are the same as the Northern Management Area. The only change is the daily bag limit is two vermilion rockfish per person.

Regulation changes for 2024
Changes to the sub-bag limits within the 10-fish daily Rockfish, Cabezon, Greenling (RCG) complex bag and possession limit include a new statewide ban on possession of quillback rockfish. Also new in 2024 is the mandatory possession of descending devices . No person shall take or possess any federal groundfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a descending device in possession and available for immediate use to assist in releasing rockfish to the depth of capture.

Daily bag limit
In the Northern Management Area, the RCG complex includes all species of rockfishes, Cabezon and Greenlings. You are allowed 10 fish in combination per person EXCEPT:

A sub-bag limit for copper rockfish of one fish
A sub-bag limit for vermilion rockfish of four fish

Minimum size for Cabezon is 15 inches total length and for Kelp and/or rock greenlings it’s 12 inches.

The daily bag limit of lingcod remains at two per person and they must be 22 inches in length. The take and possession of cowcod, bronzespotted rockfish and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited statewide. Petrale sole and starry flounder can be retained year-round at all depths with no size limit.

Important reminder:
In waters where groundfish species or species groups are closed to take or possession but authorized for take or possession in other areas, those species or species groups may be possessed aboard a vessel that is anchored, drifting, or transiting in or through that closed area. While anchored, drifting, or transiting through an area closed to take or possession of these groundfish species or species groups, no gear may be deployed other than for the take of crustaceans with hoop nets, Dungeness crab traps, and dip nets.

For more information about recreational groundfish regulations within the Northern Management Area, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/GroundfishSummary#north

Humboldt Bay tide
Wednesday May 1: High: 5:44 a.m. (6.3 feet), Low: 12:55 a.m. (-0.3 feet) and High 8:20 p.m. (5.3 feet)

Weekend marine forecast
As of Thursday afternoon, Friday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 6 feet at nine seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the west 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at nine seconds and west 3 feet at 14 seconds. Sunday, winds will be 5 to 10 knots out of the northwest with northwest waves 6 feet at 12 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or https://www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

Upcoming kids fishing derbies
On Saturday, May 18, 2024 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 noon. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at noon. 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 18, 2023, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 50th 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 for everyone. For more information, call Scott at 408-401-8333.

The Rivers
Main Stem Eel
The main stem is still high, but the color is a glacial green. As of Thursday, flows were 6,900 cfs at Scotia and predicted to drop more quickly into next week. It should be down to a fishable height, under 5,000 cfs, by mid next week. The main stem Eel to the South Fork is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used through Sept. 30.

Smith
The Smith River 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, will close after Tuesday, April 30.

Lower Rogue
“Springer fishing has been hit-and-miss on the lower Rogue, as wild and hatchery kings continue to enter the river, but catch rates have dropped from the steady action in early April,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Conditions remain good, and a shot of rain this week could give action a boost.”

Brookings ocean update
Lingcod and rockfish action continues to be very good out of Brookings on calm weather days reports Martin. “Nice ocean conditions are expected this weekend. Pacific halibut opens May 1. Charters have been encountering salmon during bottom fish trips, and commercial boats working the opener out of Coos Bay and Winchester Bay reported big numbers of kings with a 16-pound averaged for gilled-and-gutted fish. Salmon season opens May 16 out of Brookings.”