Matt Vanoli landed a bright king while fishing the Smith River Wednesday. Excellent conditions are on tap for the next few days on the Smith. Photo courtesy of Michael Poly.
If you haven’t gotten in on the late fall king action yet, this should be your weekend. River conditions are lining up nicely for both the Smith and Chetco — and with the run possibly winding down, now’s the time to go.
Earlier rain put plenty of water back into both systems. Boats were back on the Smith by Wednesday, while the Chetco was still too muddy. That should change soon — the Smith is prime right now, and the Chetco should come around by Saturday. It may start off a bit high, but by Sunday it should be in great shape and fishing well into next week.
Closer to home, the main stem Eel could be fishable by late in the weekend or early next week, depending on how dirty the creeks get. It’s forecast to peak around 7,940 cfs Friday but was already dropping Thursday and running below projections — a good sign. The South Fork was a little off-color Thursday but could be in shape by the weekend, with flows expected just under 1,200 cfs Saturday morning. The Van Duzen has one more rise coming Friday, but if it falls short, it could be fishable by the weekend too.
Weather ahead According to the US National Weather Service Eureka, high pressure and upper-level ridge will build in quickly Friday over the West Coast in the wake of the front. Any lingering showers are expected to dissipate Friday morning as the flow aloft shifts to northwest and dryer airmass moves in. Dry and seasonably high temperatures are expected on Friday.
Dry offshore regimen will promote a drying and warming trend this weekend through at least early next week. Ensemble and deterministic models’ guidance’s are in a good agreement with the high pressure persisting over the area this weekend. High pressure breakdown begins to shift eastward on Tuesday as an upper-level trough approaches.”
The Rivers: As of Thursday, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures were open to fishing. This includes the main stem Eel, South Fork Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen. The low-flow closure telephone hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
Mad The Mad was down to 1,375 as of Thursday morning and dropping. It’s predicted to rise early Friday morning, peaking at 2,980 cfs. Minimum flow: 200 cfs at the gauging station at the Highway 299 bridge. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=ARCC1
Main Eel Peaked at 5,960 cfs early Thursday morning, but came in below projections. Another half-inch of rain is forecast for late Thursday, but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to put it back on the rise. It could drop into shape late in the weekend and should be in good shape early next week. The next significant rise is predicted for Thursday. Minimum Flow: 350 cubic feet per second at the gauging station near Scotia. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=SCOC1
South Fork Eel The South Fork opened to angling Tuesday, and peaked at 2,300 cfs Wednesday afternoon. It’s predicted to drop – though it could see a slight bump in flows Friday – through the weekend and into next week.Conditions should be good for the weekend and there are salmon spread throughout the river. Minimum flow: 340 cfs at the gauging station at Miranda. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MRNC1
Van Duzen The Van Duzen opened to angling Wednesday as flows climbed to 2,530 cfs. It has been on the drop since, with the next rise forecast for Friday where it could reach 2,900 cfs. It’s predicted to drop through the weekend and into next week. Flows should be right around 980 cfs Saturday morning. Minimum flow: 150 cfs at the gauging station near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=BRGC1
Smith The Smith opened back up Tuesday and boats were back on the water Wednesday. Even on the steep rise, plenty of fish were caught. Conditions should be excellent Friday as the river will be on the drop from 10 feet at the Jed Smith gauge. It will continue to drop through mid-next week when the next round of rain is forecasted. Expect clearing conditions this weekend. Minimum flow: 600 cfs at the Jedediah Smith State Park gauging station. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=CREC1
Nov. 28 and 29 free fish days in Oregon The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is waiving all fishing licensing requirements on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to experience fishing with friends and family during the long holiday weekend. All fishing, crabbing and clamming in Oregon will be free for both Oregon residents and non-residents. No licenses, tags or endorsements are needed on those days, but all other fishing regulations apply. Visit https://myodfw.com/articles/2025-free-fishing-days-and-events
Chetco/Elk/Sixes “The Chetco fished well Monday and Tuesday, before blowing out Tuesday evening,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “It was high and muddy Wednesday, and expected to remain blown out Thursday before dropping for the weekend. A mix of bright and dark adults and jacks are being caught, with hatchery and wild fish in the mix. Tuesday’s all-tackle opener lives up to its billing, with a good bite for drift boaters back-bouncing roe. Lots of leaves and muddy water kept everyone away Wednesday. Flows below 4,000 cfs are fishable, with flows below 3,000 ideal. The Ice Box gate is now open for launching and bank fishing access. The Elk and Sixes also blew out Wednesday and were full of leaves. They will be in shape for the weekend, but expect a crowd.”
Brady Smith of Klamath Falls holds a 41-inch king caught Monday on the Smith River with guide Andy Martin. He was fishing a 5.0 MagLip with a tuna wrap. Photo courtesy of Wild Rivers Fishing
The season’s first atmospheric river was forecast to hit the North Coast last Friday and into the weekend, but it came in well under predictions. What was expected to deliver 4 to 6 inches of rain ended up producing just 2 to 2.5 inches. Still, it was enough to briefly open several rivers — the Smith for three days, and the Mad and Van Duzen for just one. The main stem Eel opened Sunday and remains the only North Coast river subject to low-flow closures that’s still open. Across the border, the Chetco is open, though anglers are required to fish with a bobber through Nov. 3.
The good news is there’s plenty of salmon around. Unfortunately, most of the fish caught in North Coast rivers have been dark and past their prime. The Smith produced good numbers Sunday and Monday, but chrome-bright fish were scarce. The Chetco also saw a solid bite, with a more even mix of dark and fresh salmon.
Looking ahead, the next storm is forecast to arrive Tuesday. The Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14-day outlook calls for above-normal precipitation — hopefully the next round of rain will bring more fishable water and a few more bright kings.
The Rivers: As of Thursday, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, except the main stem Eel are closed to fishing. This includes the Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen. The low-flow closure telephone hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast.
Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
Smith Fishing was good Sunday and Monday prior to closing Tuesday. Most of the fish were dark, but there were some bright ones caught. There should be more bright fish coming with the next rise, which should happen next Tuesday. The daily bag limit is one Chinook salmon per day and no more than five wild Chinook salmon over 22 inches per year. Minimum flow: 600 cfs at the Jedediah Smith State Park gauging station. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=CREC1
Mad The Mad was open Monday, but quickly closed Tuesday due to low flows. There were reportedly quite a few salmon seen moving up from the tide water. The ensemble forecast shows the river beginning to rise late Tuesday. Minimum flow: 200 cfs at the gauging station at the Highway 299 bridge. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=ARCC1
Main stem Eel The river was open as of Thursday with flows right around 670 cfs and dropping. With dry weather on tap for the next several days, it may close to fishing later in the weekend of early next week. The next rise, which is forecast for Wednesday could open it back up to fishing. The Eel River is open to catch and release of salmon in 2025/26. Minimum Flow: 350 cubic feet per second at the gauging station near Scotia. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=SCOC1
South Fork Eel The South Fork didn’t receive enough rain over the weekend to open it up. That could change late next week with the arrival of the next storm. Minimum flow: 340 cfs at the gauging station at Miranda. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MRNC1
Van Duzen The Van Duzen opened, and closed, last Monday as flows quickly fell below 150 cfs. If the forecast is correct, it could open to fishing next Wednesday. Minimum flow: 150 cfs at the gauging station near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=BRGC1
Chetco “The Chetco River was in good shape for fall kings over the weekend and the beginning of the week, with lots of fish spread throughout the river,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “By Tuesday, the river was already low and clear and challenging to drift. Boats were bumping bottom on most riffles on Wednesday. A mix of bright and dark fish were caught early in the week, before action dropped sharply on Tuesday. Fishing was slow Wednesday, and will likely remain so until next week’s rain. Gear restrictions requiring a bobber remain in effect through Nov. 3. Several anglers and some guides were ticketed by state troopers at the beginning of the week.”
Sixes River low flow angling closure to be lifted Beginning Nov. 3, the Sixes River low flow angling closure will be lifted. ODFW typically closes a portion of the river to angling Oct. 1 to protect wild fall chinook salmon vulnerable to snagging or poaching while staging between Crystal Creek and Hughes House Boat Ramp.
Anglers are reminded the bag limit for wild adult chinook in the Sixes River is one adult chinook per day, 10 for the season. Elk River, just south of Sixes River is closed to retention of wild fall chinook this year. For more information, check the ODFW Recreation Report.
Sport Dungeness crab season delayed on the North Coast In a press release issued Oct. 24 by CDFW, the recreational Dungeness crab season will open beginning Nov. 1, 2025, except in northern California where it has been delayed due to a public health hazard.
CDFW Statement: “State health agencies determined that Dungeness crab in northern California have unhealthy levels of domoic acid and recommended delaying the opening of the recreational fishery in state waters from the California/Oregon border (42° 0.00’ N latitude) south to the Sonoma/Mendocino County line (38° 46.125’ N latitude). Following this recommendation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham has delayed the opening of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in northern California. Recreational take and/or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited in these closed waters.
In the area between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Point Reyes (37° 59.73’ N latitude), state health agencies are advising the public not to consume crab viscera (guts) to avoid potential domoic acid exposure. In addition, the use of crab traps will be temporarily restricted between the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (36° N latitude, Fishing Zones 3 and 4) when the season opens due to the presence of humpback whales and potential for entanglement from recreational crab traps.
A Fleet Advisory has also been issued for all Fishing Zones for the recreational fishery and crabbers should avoid setting any gear in areas where whales are present. Also, all hoop nets must be serviced every two hours and cannot be left unattended for longer periods.
Recreational take of Dungeness crab by other methods, including hoop nets and crab snares, is not affected by the temporary trap restriction in these areas. Crab traps cannot be used south of Point Arguello. The delay of the northern recreational fishery shall remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant risk to public health.
Expired marine flare collection events The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) and the Make the Electronic Marine Flare Switch campaign have partnered with CalRecycle, and the California State Parks and Coastal Commission’s California Boating Clean and Green Program to collect expired marine flares and educate residents about marine flare management safety, including the advantages of reusable distress signals, to protect California communities and the local environment.
Residents and boaters berthing their boats in Alameda County, Del Norte County, West Contra Costa County, Marin County, and Santa Cruz County can take their expired marine flares to their county’s designated marine flare collection events in the fall. Click here for all the Bay Area times and locations.
A collection date for Del Norte has been set for Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1700 State Street, Crescent City. For more information, visit www.calpsc.org/marineflareswitchcampaign
Shelter Cove According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, rock fishing has been good for the few boats that made it out this week. “Looks like we may have some decent weather at the end of the week,” said Mitchell.”
Big kings, like this one caught by Whitney Floyd on the Smith River, should be showing up after this weekend’s storms. Photo courtesy of Seth Waters Fishing
The season’s first major storms are headed for the North Coast, and they’re shaping up to be impressive. According to the National Weather Service office in Eureka, a deep and expansive Aleutian low will drive an atmospheric river–type system into the Pacific Northwest beginning Friday. Multiple disturbances rotating off this low will impact Northern California, bringing moderate to heavy precipitation from late Friday through Sunday.
Oceanic-to-coastal thunderstorms are also possible from Saturday afternoon into Sunday across Northern Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Rainfall totals are forecast to range from 4 to 6 inches in Del Norte County and 1.5 to 3.5 inches in Humboldt and Trinity counties. Another disturbance is expected to pass through on Sunday, with additional systems following into Monday. These will likely carry weak to moderate atmospheric river characteristics, especially on Sunday.
For salmon anglers, that’s welcome news. Fresh-from-the-salt king salmon — big, bright, and full of energy — will begin making their way up all of our coastal rivers starting this weekend. If you notice a line of drift boats heading north on U.S. Highway 101, this is the reason.
Following an early rise Saturday morning, both the Smith and Chetco rivers could be fishable by Sunday, though anglers should expect off-colored water, plenty of debris, and continued rising flows. Fresh kings should be moving through both systems.
As of Thursday, the Smith River is forecast to peak just over 4,000 cfs at the Jed Smith gauge early Monday morning before beginning a steady drop through the week. The Chetco is expected to follow a similar pattern, peaking around 1,500 cfs Saturday before leveling out and offering good conditions Sunday through Tuesday. Another round of storms predicted for next weekend could push Chetco flows above 2,300 cfs, bringing another pulse of fresh fish upriver.
As of Thursday, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen were closed to fishing. The low-flow closure telephone hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
Mad River Predicted to peak at 545 cfs Monday morning. Minimum flows are 200 cfs at the gauging station at the Highway 299 bridge to lift angling restrictions.
Main Eel Forecasted to reach 1,050 cfs early Monday morning. Minimum flows are 350 cfs on the Scotia gauge to lift angling restrictions.
Van Duzen Predicted to peak at 340 cfs Monday morning Minimum flows are 150 cfs at the gauging station near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park to lift angling restrictions.
South Fork Eel Flows are predicted to peak at 445 cfs Monday morning.Minimum flows are 340 cfs at Miranda to lift angling restrictions.
Smith The Smith is likely to see heavy boat traffic this weekend. If the predictions hold, it could open sometime Saturday morning. It’s forecast for a steep rise through Sunday, but could be fishable in the afternoon. Monday is looking like the day. It could be a little dirty and leafy, but fish should be coming. Minimum flows are 600 cfs at Jedediah Smith State Park to lift angling restrictions.
Chetco/Rogue “The Chetco should be high enough to float with a drift boat by the weekend, although bobber restrictions remain in place until early November,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The estuary has slowed as big schools of kings have moved into the tidewater. Generally, boats can get down river with a little dragging at 800 cfs. Above 1,500 cfs, the lower river is an easy drift, although boats may bump bottom at Willow Riffle and above Moffit Rock. The gate at Ice Box is expected to remain closed until Nov. 3. Flows of 1,000 to 1,500 cfs are expected this weekend and early next week. At flows less than 2,000 cfs, boaters will have to fish next to bank anglers on the lower river.
If rain comes in a little more than expected, the Elk and Sixes could become fishable, although a big surf could reduce the number of kings that move in from the ocean. The Rogue Bay is slow, with an occasional late king or coho moving through. Steelhead fishing has been disappointing upriver.”
Dungeness crab testing continues Domoic acid testing in Dungeness crabs has begun on the California coast. To date, samples from Trinidad, Crescent City, and Monterey have been reported. Of the five crabs from Trinidad and Crescent City, one or more have exceeded the action level of 30 parts per million. Crabs tested out of Monterey Bay all came back clean. More information regarding Domoic Acid and the latest test results can be found here.
Expired marine flare collection events The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) and the Make the Electronic Marine Flare Switch campaign have partnered with CalRecycle, and the California State Parks and Coastal Commission’s California Boating Clean and Green Program to collect expired marine flares and educate residents about marine flare management safety, including the advantages of reusable distress signals, to protect California communities and the local environment. Residents and boaters berthing their boats in Alameda County, Del Norte County, West Contra Costa County, Marin County, and Santa Cruz County can take their expired marine flares to their county’s designated marine flare collection events in the fall. Click here for all the Bay Area times and locations. A collection date for Del Norte has been set for Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1700 State Street, Crescent City. For more information, visit www.calpsc.org/marineflareswitchcampaign
The Chetco estuary continues to be the hot spot for kings, with plenty of big ones being landed daily. Pictured above is one of the kings caught this week with guide Rye Phillips of Brookings Fishing Charters. Photo courtesy of Brookings Fishing Charters
The good news is we’re starting to see a shift in the weather pattern, bringing with it the second rainstorm of the season. Unfortunately, it looks like it will still fall short of what’s needed to open the coastal rivers to fishing. The one possible exception could be the main stem Eel River, where flows are predicted to surpass the 350 cfs threshold at Scotia.
From the Smith down to the South Fork Eel, roughly three-quarters to an inch of rain is forecast between Friday and Saturday. Another small storm is expected Monday, but it doesn’t appear strong enough to make much of a difference. While this rain will help, our parched rivers will need several inches and a series of consistent storms before they open up. Hopefully this is just the beginning and the storm door has been pushed open.
As a reminder, the low-flow hotline has been disconnected. River openings and closures can now be tracked in real time at wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
In the meantime, the Chetco continues to be the bright spot on the coast for fall kings. If you’re looking for big fish, now’s the time to go — before the rains come and the salmon make their move upriver.
Weekend marine forecast South winds, albeit slight, are in the forecast for Friday and Saturday. As of Thursday afternoon, out 10 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the south 10 to 15 knots with south waves 4 feet at five seconds and northwest 5 feet at 10 seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the south up to 5 knots with west waves 3 feet at seven seconds and northwest 4 feet at 10 seconds. Sunday, winds will be 5 to 10 knots out of the north with northwest waves 2 feet at five seconds and northwest 6 feet at 10 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.
Warnings lifted for some shellfish in Humboldt County The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish and seafood safety notification today related to certain sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Humboldt County. The warning no longer applies to scallops, oysters and clams (except for razor clams). An advisory for razor clams in Humboldt County remains in effect.
CDFW Statement:
The safety notification for Humboldt County was issued on September 9, 2025, due to dangerous levels of domoic acid in mussels. This naturally occurring toxin can cause illness or death in humans. Recent testing shows domoic acid has decreased to safe levels in shellfish other than razor clams in this area.
A warning against eating sport-harvested razor clams from Humboldt County remains in effect as razor clams are at high risk for long-term elevated levels of domoic acid. Dangerous levels of naturally occurring domoic acid, also referred to as amnesic shellfish poisoning, have been detected in the razor clams. Razor clams are known to retain domoic acid toxin in their meat and tissues much longer than other species of bivalve shellfish. The annual mussel quarantine also remains in effect, which means that while scallops, oysters, and most types of clams can be harvested from Humboldt County, mussels remain under quarantine. The annual quarantine prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31. This warning 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.
The Oceans: Eureka “Excellent ocean conditions earlier this week allowed boats to make it down to the Cape for the first time in a while,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “We fished down there on Tuesday and the bite was excellent. We landed a really good variety of rockfish along with some nice lings. There’s been just a few boats fishing for halibut, and it sounds like they’re still biting. Most of the action has been north of the entrance. Ocean conditions for the weekend don’t look great, with the south wind returning on Friday.”
Jesse Mela and Shaun Mitchell of Benbow with a couple Albacore landed Monday out of Shelter Cove. Photo courtesy of Jake Mitchell/Sea Hawk Sport Fishing
Shelter Cove According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, the rock fishing was good as usual. He said, “It’s been really quick and easy limits. We also got some nice weather Monday and Tuesday and we were able to get back offshore and look for tuna. It was a 45-mile run but the fish were there and bit pretty good. We ended the day with 36 and the boats that went Tuesday landed between 20 and 30. We fished outside the Knoll.
Brookings “Lingcod, rockfish and crab action remains good out of Brookings, with halibut biting on calm weather days,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “This weekend looks decent. Lingcod are already staging in shallow water for the winter spawn.”
Low flow river closures in effect since Sept. 1 As Sept. 1, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen were closed to fishing. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures in real time online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast.
Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
The Rivers: Lower Klamath The Klamath is back under 3,000 cfs as of Thursday, but the mouth reportedly remains plugged or severely restricted. There hasn’t been much in the way of new fish entering the lower river for quite some time. Rain is on the way, hopefully it will be enough to blow it out. There should be quite a few more kings, along with coho, still waiting to make their way into the river. Fishing pressure has been very light.
The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Report/Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. Both the Klamath and Trinity rivers are open to fishing, but take and possession of Chinook salmon is prohibited. More information, can be found here.
Chetco/Rogue According to Martin. salmon fishing has been good at the mouth of the Chetco, but the estuary is crowded with upwards of 30 boats a day along the jetties. “Salmon to 30 pounds are being caught daily, with wild and hatchery adults and lots of jacks. Salmon also are biting bobbers and eggs in the tidewater. The Rogue Bay is still a solid bet, with late kings, lots of wild coho and a few hatchery coho. Crowds also have thinned out.”
Late fall kings, like the one pictured with angler Craig Nunley, will begin to make their way into the coastal rivers once the winter rains begin. Anglers will be able to harvest Chinook salmon this fall on the Smith while sections of the Eel will be open to catch and release. Photo courtesy of Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing
With more than an inch of rain falling across most coastal watersheds, late-fall salmon anglers were quick to take notice. After such a long summer dry spell, the excitement is understandable —but it will take far more than an inch to open the rivers. None came close to fishable levels, so the wait continues for enough rain to get flows rising, salmon moving, and rivers open.
In the meantime, offshore options remain strong. The boat-based rockfish and lingcod season runs through year’s end, and NOAA recently opened all depths from the Oregon/California border south to Point Conception. With Dungeness crab season set to open Nov. 1, rockfish/crab combos will soon be popular.
Pacific halibut is also still in play, with just 16,176 pounds of the 39,280-pound quota taken. The season closes Nov. 15, leaving a couple more weeks for halibut/rockfish/crab combos.
When the rivers do open, the Smith will draw the most attention as the only North Coast river open to salmon harvest — one Chinook per day, with no more than five wild fish per year. The Smith must reach 600 cfs at Jedediah Smith State Park to open, and remains closed above Rowdy Creek. The Eel and Van Duzen will allow catch-and-release for Chinook in 2025, with sections subject to low-flow closures.
The Chetco estuary is another good option as it continues to kick out big kings for trollers working anchovies. Until the rain comes, anglers still have plenty of solid options.
Weekend marine forecast Northerly winds will return Friday, but ocean conditions remain sporty. As of Thursday afternoon, Friday’s forecast out 10 nautical miles is calling for winds out of the north 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 7 feet at 11 seconds and west 2 feet at 16 seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the north 10 to 15 knots with north waves 3 feet at five seconds and northwest 5 feet at nine seconds. Sunday, the winds will be 10 to 15 knots out of the north with north waves 5 feet at seven seconds and west 3 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.
Ruth Lake Fall Bass tournament this Saturday The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday October 4th at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Lake Marina or at Journey’s End between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr. at 707-223-3858.
The Oceans: Eureka According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, there hasn’t been any offshore opportunities the past couple weeks due to weather. “It looks like we’ve finally have some decent ocean conditions starting next Monday and Tuesday,” said Klassen. “Pacific halibut and rockfish should be within reach.”
Shelter Cove According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, not a lot of effort the last few days due to weather. “When we got out earlier in the week, it was good fishing,” said Mitchell. “We fished in close by the whistle over the weekend and it was quick easy limits on the rockfish and lingcod.”
Brookings Halibut season runs through Oct. 31 out of Brookings reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Rough weather has kept boats closer to shore, away from the halibut grounds,” said Martin. “Lingcod and rockfish action, long with sport crabbing, has been good.”
Willow Creek weir counts For the week ending Sept. 23, a total of 345 adult kings were counted at the Willow Creek weir. The jack count for the week was 148. For the season to date, 1,280 (adults and jacks) have been counted, including both hatchery and wild. The totals are for only 17 trapping days. In 2024, 720 kings (adults and jacks) were trapped over 57 trap days.
Low flow river closures in effect since Sept. 1 As of Sept. 1, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen were closed to fishing. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures in real time online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast.
NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
The Rivers: Lower Klamath After reaching 3,600 cfs Wednesday, the Klamath is back on the drop. The increase in flows has reportedly opened the mouth back up. There should be fresh steelhead and salmon making their way into the lower river. Fishing pressure remains light.
The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Report/Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. Both the Klamath and Trinity rivers are open to fishing, but take and possession of Chinook salmon is prohibited. More information, can be found here.
Chetco/Rogue According to Martin, salmon fishing picked up at the mouth of the Chetco before this week’s rain. “Stormy weather, with a rough bar and gusting south winds, stalled action for a few days, but conditions are expected to be prime by week’s end. A mix of wild and hatchery adults and jacks are being caught. A few jacks also have been caught upriver on bobbers. Despite the rain, the Chetco is still well below drifts levels for boats above tidewater. Coho salmon fishing has been good on the Rogue Bay, where kings also are still showing up in the catch. Fishing has slowed, however, as the main long run blasts upstream.”
Fresno resident Jerry Urzua landed a nice lingcod on a recent trip out of Shelter Cove. Lingcod, as well as rockfish, cabezon, greenlings can now be harvested at all depths through Dec. 31st. Photo courtesy of Jake Mitchell/Sea Hawk Sport Fishing
Just in time for the ever-popular crab/rockfish/halibut combo trips starting in November, NOAA Fisheries announced on Sept. 18 that in state and federal waters between the Oregon/California border and Point Conception (34° 27′ N. Lat.), anglers may now take the RCG Complex (rockfish, cabezon, greenlings) and lingcod at all depths through December 31, 2025.
New scientific data show stronger-than-expected numbers of quillback rockfish off California, prompting the California Fish and Game Commission to take emergency action on August 28 to reopen access in state waters. NOAA Fisheries / NMFS matched those changes in federal waters effective Sept. 18, 2025.
Key changes for recreational anglers:
Two-fish sub-bag limit on canary rockfish statewide.
Vermilion and sunset rockfish combined: both species count toward the same sub-bag limit.
Prohibited species remain closed: no retention of quillback rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod, or yelloweye rockfish.
Management area realignment: the Lopez Point boundary has been removed, creating the new Central Groundfish Management Area from 37° 11′ N. (Pigeon Point) to 34° 27′ N. (Point Conception).
Descending devices required: all vessels taking or possessing federal groundfish must carry one to minimize barotrauma and safely return fish to depth.
Weekend marine forecast Some rough ocean conditions are on tap for the next several days. As of Thursday, the forecast out 10 nautical miles for Friday is calling for winds out of the north 20 to 25 knots with northwest waves 9 feet at nine seconds. Saturday is calling for winds from the northwest 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 9 feet at 15 seconds. Sunday the winds will be out of the south 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 7 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 www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.
Ruth Lake Fall Bass tournament coming Oct. 4 The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday October 4th at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Lake Marina or at Journey’s End between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr. at 707-223-3858.
CDPH liftswarning for sport-harvested Del Norte County Bivalve Shellfish The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notifications today related to sport-harvested bivalve shellfish from Del Norte County.
CDPH Statement:
“The safety notification for Del Norte County was issued on July 3, 2025, due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in mussels. These naturally occurring toxins can cause illness or death in humans. Recent testing shows paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins have decreased to safe levels in mussels in this area.
While this warning has been lifted, the annual mussel quarantine remains in effect, which means that while scallops, clams, and oysters can be harvested from Del Norte County, mussels remain under quarantine. The annual quarantine prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31.
A safety notification issued September 9, 2025, for sport-harvested mussels, scallops, clams, and oysters from Humboldt County remains in effect due to the presence of domoic acid in mussels.
This warning 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
Paralytic shellfish poisoning 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.”
The Oceans: Eureka It’s been a fairly quiet week for the Eureka fleet since last Saturday’s tuna run. A handful of boats made a 55-mile run south and after several hours of nothing, the bite turned on. One of the local charters boated 24 albies, all between 15 and 25 pounds. It doesn’t look like we’ll see another opportunity for quite a few days. Pacific halibut are still being caught north of the entrance near the 51 line, but the effort has slowed. Weather permitting, the rockfish bite at the Cape is still good.
Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing submitted a proposal at the recent PFMC meeting to open up the Pacific halibut season in April instead of May. According to Klassen, the proposal was approved, and will be voted on at the Nov. Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting. It would then need approval by International Pacific Halibut Commission.
Shelter Cove According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, rock fishing has been excellent with quick limits of rockfish and lingcod every day this week. “Most of the effort was at the Hat,” said Mitchell. “Pacific halibut remains slow and there was a one-day tuna window on Saturday, but the boats that went did not do very well.”
Crescent City “Not much has changed since last week, the weather hasn’t been great and not many boats are getting out,” said Will Moore of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “When the boats do get out, the rockfish and lingcod bite is still really good. We haven’t seen the bite slow down at all. Both the California and Pacific halibut effort has dwindled to nothing.”
Brookings According to Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters, the Pacific halibut fishing is fair out of Brookings. He said, “Winds subside this weekend, but bigger swells could stall the action. Rockfish action is good, with plenty of lingcod in the mix. Sport crabbing remains very good.”
ODFW Hosting Public Meetings on 2026 Bottomfish and Halibut Seasons The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will hold a series of in-person meetings Oct. 6–8 to discuss the 2026 recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut seasons with anglers. The Oct. 8 meeting in Newport will also offer a virtual option via Microsoft Teams.
Meeting Schedule:
Oct. 6 – Brookings: 5:30–7:30 p.m., Port Meeting Room, Port of Brookings, 16330 Lower Harbor Rd.
Oct. 7 – North Bend: 6–8 p.m., North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.
Oct. 8 – Newport: 6–8 p.m., Hatfield Marine Science Center, Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building, Classroom 176, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. (Virtual option available)
Topics for Discussion
Review of 2025 bottomfish harvest with lower guidelines and stricter bag limits for black rockfish and canary rockfish.
Pros and cons of a year-round fishery vs. a four-fish daily marine species limit with a one-fish sub-bag limit for canary rockfish.
Pacific halibut proposals including:
Restructuring the Columbia River subarea nearshore fishery.
“Frontloading” the Central Oregon Coast quota to the spring all-depth fishery for added flexibility.
ODFW will post meeting materials on its recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut webpages by Friday, Oct. 3. More information can be found here.
Low flow river closures in effect since Sept. 1 As Sept. 1, All North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith, and Van Duzen were closed to fishing. The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. You can also find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
The Rivers: Lower Klamath The fishing slowed dramatically this week on the lower Klamath, with the bulk of the run now upriver. The mouth also has been sanding over, which has slowed the numbers of fish making their way in. With some rain in the forecast, the mouth should open back up and we should we some fresh fish enter the system. To date, there hasn’t been much, if any, coho in the river, which typically means the king run is nearing the end. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Report/Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. Both the Klamath and Trinity rivers are closed to the take and possession of Chinook salmon. More information, can be found here.
Chetco/Lower Rogue Salmon fishing is fair on the Chetco, with a handful of nice adults and numerous jacks being caught daily by boaters trolling along the jetties reports Martin. “The estuary has been crowded. Still too early for bobber fishing upriver. Salmon also are still being caught on the Rogue Bay, with a mix of wild and hatchery kings, lots of wild coho and a few hatchery coho. Crowds have thinned, but there is still plenty of boat activity. Summer steelhead are beginning to show upriver near Agness.”
Eureka resident Tim Call landed a nice steelhead on a recent outing on the Klamath River. Photo courtesy of Alan Borges/Alan’s Guide Service
As soon as increased flows hit the lower Klamath, big schools of salmon and steelhead charged upriver. Fishing was excellent earlier in the week, and small pulses of fish should continue moving in over the next few weeks. Flows peaked at 4,172 cfs Wednesday and are now dropping but will remain high through the holiday weekend, around 3,100 cfs Saturday morning. Angling pressure has been light so far, but expect that to change as the holiday crowd arrives.
The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Report/Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. Both the Klamath and Trinity rivers are closed to the take and possession of Chinook salmon. More information, can be found here.
Yurok gill net quota reached On Monday, the Yurok Tribe announced that their fall personal subsistence gill net quota has been reached within the Yurok Reservation. Tribal fishery employees will continue to gill net for the 300 elder’s fish quota.
Weekend marine forecast Conditions are looking excellent the next few days for those looking to hit the tuna grounds. Out 10 to 60 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for southeast winds up to 5 knots and waves out of the northwest 2 feet at seven seconds and south 2 feet at 16 seconds. Saturday is calling for north winds 5 to 10 knots and waves north 1 foot at 6 seconds and south 3 feet at 16 seconds. Sunday, winds will be out of the south 10 to 15 knots and waves north 3 feet at 5 seconds and northwest 2 feet at 10 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.
Pikeminnow Fishing Derby ends Saturday There are just a few days remaining to bring home some cash as the Eel River Pikeminnow Fishing Derby ends after Sunday, Aug. 31. Visit https://tribresearch.org/pikeminnow/ to learn more, sign up for the derby, and submit your catch to the contest before it ends.
Saturday is statewide Free Fishing Day The last chance of the year to fish for free arrives over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Free Fishing Day is offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Saturday, Aug. 30. While no fishing license is required on free fishing days, all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state or salmon in the Smith River system. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days
Bay Area ocean salmon season reopens Sept. 4 The ocean sport salmon season will re-open on Sept. 4 in two Bay Area subareas.
Point Reyes to Pigeon Point (San Francisco Subarea):
September 4-7 & 29-30; October 1-5 & 27-31 – Minimum size limit: 20 inches total length. Two salmon of any species except coho
Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey Subarea)
September 4-7 & 29-30 – Minimum size limit: 20 inches total length. Two salmon of any species except coho
Fall Harvest Guideline: 7,500 Chinook. In-season action may be taken to close remaining September – October days when the total harvest is approaching a statewide limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon. More information can be found here.
The oceans: Eureka Tuna anglers reported Thursday that the warm water is now at least 60 miles out of Eureka. They also reported the fishing wasn’t very good. Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, along with many others were planning on heading out Friday, but plans are likely changing for some. “The weather looks excellent for Friday and Saturday, hopefully we get a good SST shot to see where the water is,” said Klassen. The Pacific halibut bite has been good when we can get out. Quite a few limits are being caught near the 55-line. Cape Mendocino has been producing some really good rock fishing, and it should be an easy ride down there the next few days.”
Shelter Cove “Rock fishing remains solid, with limits coming every day,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “Most of the effort this week was around the Old Man. Pacific halibut has been slow, although there were a couple caught this week. Boats will be trying for albacore the next couple days for the first time in a week. We haven’t had a good satellite shot in a week or so, we’re expecting to close to 50 miles out.”
Crescent City According to Chris Hegnes of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, the fishing effort has slowed. He said, “There’s been a couple boats out for tuna, but the fishing hasn’t been. Most guys are headed north to Charleston. The rockfish and lingcod bite remain excellent, no change there. The California halibut bite has slowed down as well as the effort. There have been a couple Thresher sharks caught off of South Beach last few weeks.”
Brookings “The best halibut fishing of the season is happening right now,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Boats are focusing on 200 to 250 feet of water off of Bird Island. Combinations of squid and herring are working best. Lingcod and rockfish action also is good, while sport crabbing has improved in recent weeks.”
Low Flow River Closures begin Sept. 1 North Coast rivers that are regulated by low flow closures, including the Eel, Mad, Mattole, Redwood Creek, Smith and Van Duzen begin angling restrictions on Sept. 1 and will run through April 30 2026. As a reminder, in 2022, a low-flow angling restriction was added to the section of the Eel River from the mouth to Fulmor Road (Eel estuary) at its paved junction with the south bank of the Eel River. When a low-flow closure occurs in this section of the Eel, it will be closed to hook-and-line fishing; other legal fishing methods are allowed during this timeframe.
The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2026.
Areas subject to low flow closures:
Mad River: The main stem Mad River from the Hammond Trail Railroad Trestle to Cowan Creek. Minimum flow: 200 cfs at the gauging station at the Highway 299 bridge. The Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream is closed until Jan. 1, 2026.
The main stem Eel River: New in 2022, a low-flow angling restriction was added to the section of the Eel River from the mouth to Fulmor Road at its paved junction with the south bank of the Eel River, Sept. 1 through April 30. The stream flow will be monitored as follows: Minimum Flow: 350 cubic feet per second at the gauging station near Scotia.
The South Fork of the Eel River: The South Fork of the Eel River downstream from Rattlesnake Creek and the Middle Fork Eel River downstream from the Bar Creek. Minimum flow: 340 cfs at the gauging station at Miranda.
Van Duzen River: The main stem Van Duzen River from its junction with the Eel River to the end of Golden Gate Drive near Bridgeville (approximately 4,000 feet upstream of Little Golden Gate Bridge. Minimum flow: 150 cfs at the gauging station near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park.
Mattole River: The main stem of the Mattole River from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Minimum flow: 320 cfs at the gauging station at Petrolia.
Redwood Creek: The main stem of Redwood Creek from the mouth to its confluence with Bond Creek. Minimum flow: 300 cfs at the gauging station near the Highway 101 bridge.
Smith River: The main stem Smith River from the mouth of Rowdy Creek to its confluence with Patrick Creek; the South Fork Smith River from the mouth upstream approximately 1000 ft to the County Road (George Tyron) bridge and Craigs Creek to its confluence with Jones Creek; and the North Fork Smith River from the mouth to its confluence with Stony Creek. Minimum flow: 600 cfs at the Jedediah Smith State Park gauging station.
The Rivers Lower Rogue/Chetco According to Martin, the first kings of the season have been caught in the Chetco estuary. “Salmon to 25 pounds have been weighed in, along with numerous jacks. Bottom fish anglers are encountering salmon along the coast of Brookings, but the ocean is now closed to both kings and coho. The Rogue Bay has been fair, with lots of boats and a few good days each week. Labor Day Weekend is peak season on the Rogue Bay.”
Robin Brown of Benbow shows off a nice albacore caught over the weekend while fishing out of Shelter Cove with Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. Photo courtesy of Jake Mitchell/Sea Hawk Sport Fishing.
Heading into last weekend, anticipation was sky-high for a wide-open tuna bite off Eureka. With flat seas and warm water in place, conditions looked perfect for an epic run. While the action didn’t quite live up to those lofty expectations, there were still some bright spots—and plenty of lessons learned for next time.
The best water was sitting southwest of Eureka near Cape Mendocino, roughly 30 miles from the entrance to Humboldt Bay. Many boats made the run and put in serious effort, but scores were generally modest. The crews that landed the most fish found success drifting live bait immediately after hooking up on the troll—a tactic you can expect to see more of on future trips.
Looking ahead, the next shot might take a little patience. Winds are forecasted through at least Tuesday, which will likely keep the fleet on shore for a few days. The good news? The warm water appears to be holding in place offshore. If that continues, round two could shape up by the middle of next week—and with a few adjustments, the bite could turn on in a big way.
Weekend marine forecast After some really good conditions earlier in the week, the wind will make a return, sidelining the tuna fleet through the weekend and early next week. On Friday, within 10 nautical miles, winds will be out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots. Waves will be from the northwest 6 feet at seven seconds. Saturday is calling for northwest winds up to 5 knots and waves northwest 4 feet at seven seconds. Sunday’s forecast looks a little better, with winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 knots and waves northwest 3 feet at seven 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.
August 30 is statewide Free Fishing Day The last chance of the year to fish for free arrives over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Free Fishing Day is offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Saturday, Aug. 30. While no fishing license is required on free fishing days, all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state or salmon in the Smith River. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days
Pacific halibut quota update As of August 17, California’s share of Area 2A’s quota, which includes Washington and Oregon, is at 41 percent, with just 16,176 net pounds harvested against the 39,280 net pound quota. (500 pounds are set aside for the area south of Point Arena). The Pacific halibut fishery will run through Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. To view the latest catch projection information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut#31670772-in-season-tracking.
Trinity River water release Beginning Friday, Aug. 22, the Bureau of Reclamation will begin to increase flows to the Trinity River for the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Ceremonial Boat Dance. Lewiston Dam releases are scheduled to gradually increase from the summer base flow of 450 cubic feet per second and are expected to reach a peak flow of 2,300 cfs on Aug. 25 before gradually returning to summer base flows later in the week.
River recreators can expect a higher volume of water and increased turbidity in the Trinity River during the ceremonial flow. As always, the public is urged to exercise caution when recreating in or around the Trinity River. For more information, contact Reclamation’s Northern California Area Office at 530-247-8500 (TTY 800-877-8339)
An angler aboard Eureka’s Fishy Business is all smiles after boating a couple Tuna Monday. Photo courtesy of Matt Dallam/Northwind Charters
The oceans: Eureka “The tuna bite never really exploded over the weekend, but there were some decent scores put up,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “If I had to rate the fishing, I’d say it was a 5 out of 10. Some boats got 4 or 5, or less, with some of the top scores in the low twenties. The best bite was southwest of the entrance about 30 to 35 miles. The water was plenty warm, but there wasn’t much bait around. That might have had something to do with the slow bite. We had our best success on live bait stops, and I think that was the case for the other boats as well. Though there weren’t big numbers of fish, they were all really good size. They averaged 15 to 25 pounds with no peanuts in the mix.
The halibut got a little bit of a reprieve with a lot of boats focusing on tuna. The boats that did target halibut did well, with most putting in limits. We ran to the Cape last Friday chasing rockfish, and the bite was really good. Not a ton of variety but we did get limits of rockfish and lingcod. There’s some really big and healthy black rockfish down there now.”
Shelter Cove The weather laid down for a tuna run on Monday and boats did ok reports Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. He said, “Scores ranged from 5 to 30 fish for boats targeting tuna in the Gorda Valley area. Rock fishing remains solid, but the lingcod are really hit and miss lately.”
Crescent City “The tuna fishing out of Crescent City has not taken off,” said Will Moore of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “A few commercial boats went out and didn’t find anything until they got way north. Because of that, there hasn’t been much effort from the sport guys. The California halibut bite has slowed a little, but they’re still here. The same can’t be said for the Pacific Halibut. The rockfish and lingcod fishing continues to sizzle, with easy limits coming for anglers targeting the Sisters and the cans out front. Some really big vermilion are being caught.”
Brookings “Ocean salmon season closes Sunday on the Southern Oregon Coast,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Fishing has been slow, with a few hatchery coho still being caught and plenty of wild coho. Fishing is already closed for kings. Halibut action improved this week out of Brookings, with a few charters averaging a fish per rod, and two-fish limits some days. The best fishing has been in 250 to 300 feet. Herring and squid combinations are working best. Sport crabbing is good out of Brookings. Lingcod and rockfish also are biting well.”
The Rivers: Lower Klamath The river is in good shape as flows have dropped under 2,800 cfs as of Thursday. The water being released from Lewiston is forecast to reach the lower Klamath Sunday morning, raising the cfs’s to just over 3,000. This should bring in some fish from the ocean/estuary and we should see the first real good push of salmon moving upriver. Fishing for steelhead was decent last weekend, with boats hooking 3 to 6 fish a day. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters More information can be found here.
Lower Rogue/Chetco According to Martin, the Rogue Bay has been fair, with good catches one day and then a couple of slow days. “Large kings to 40 pounds are being caught. The crowds have arrived, with well over 100 boats a day trolling the bay.”
Livermore resident Michael Hollingshaus holds a pair of Albacore tuna caught last season while fishing with Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. Tuna fishing out of the Cove has been excellent, and should only get better as ocean conditions improve this week. Photo courtesy of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing.
Halibut and rockfish can take a breather because tuna is about to steal the show this week. The weather window is wide open, and the ocean will be flat for the next few days. Warm water is within reach and still pushing in, and there should be plenty of fish riding with it.
The only catch? We haven’t had a good SST shot in the last few days thanks to cloud cover. But there’s plenty of real-time intel from boats and buoys. Buoy 13, sitting off Cape Mendocino about 36 miles from Humboldt Bay, was showing 60-degree water on Wednesday, though it’s cooled a bit since—definitely worth watching.
As for the bite, it’s already happening. Since Monday, boats out of Fort Bragg have been stacking tuna, with scores running 20 to 40 fish. Shelter Cove crews are seeing the same, or even better action. In short— you can catch as many as you can handle. Up north, one Trinidad boat ran 17 miles and found a few fish, and last week a few Eureka boats made the long run and did okay.
With calm seas and great weather lined up through at least Monday, now’s the time to fuel up and make a run. The tuna are here!
Weekend marine forecast Nearshore conditions, out 10 nautical miles, look excellent for the weekend. But since most anglers will be further offshore, we’ll post conditions out 10 to 60 nautical miles. Friday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 4 feet at six seconds and southwest 3 feet at 14 seconds. Saturday is calling for northwest winds 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 5 feet at 9 seconds and south 2 at 14. Sunday winds will be out of the north 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 6 feet at 10 seconds and south 2 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 www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.
Trinity River water release Beginning Friday, Aug. 22, the Bureau of Reclamation will begin to increase flows to the Trinity River for the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Ceremonial Boat Dance. Lewiston Dam releases are scheduled to gradually increase from the summer base flow of 450 cubic feet per second and are expected to reach a peak flow of 2,300 cfs on Aug. 25 before gradually returning to summer base flows later in the week.
River recreators can expect a higher volume of water and increased turbidity in the Trinity River during the ceremonial flow. As always, the public is urged to exercise caution when recreating in or around the Trinity River. For more information, contact Reclamation’s Northern California Area Office at 530-247-8500 (TTY 800-877-8339)
California Fish and Game Commission increases fishing opportunities for the 2025 recreational groundfish season On August 14, 2025, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) adopted emergency changes to the state’s groundfish regulations so that recreational ocean fisheries are no longer constrained by quillback rockfish.
CDFW Statement:
“Fishing opportunities in northern and central California were reduced in 2023 due to low estimated quillback rockfish abundance. A new stock assessment completed earlier this summer indicates it is no longer necessary to restrict groundfish fishing to specific depths north of Point Conception in order to avoid quillback rockfish, allowing anglers to take advantage of expansions to open fishing areas. The Commission acted to rapidly change the regulations to allow additional opportunities before summer’s end.
Over the last few years, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) collaborated with federal partners, fishing groups, and anglers to gather data and improve scientific knowledge of quillback rockfish off California. The information was crucial in informing the new stock assessment, which indicates the stock is at a healthy level and not overfished. This finding reverses results from a 2021 stock assessment which relied on very limited data from the California stock.
Retention of quillback rockfish, however, remains prohibited in all waters statewideuntil recommendations for sport and commercial fishery catch limits are developed for California quillback rockfish in conjunction with those for other nearshore groundfish species.
“This action is the result of hard work by a lot of people,” said Tim Klassen, an appointed advisory member for the groundfish sport fishery and a charter boat captain in Eureka. “The Commission and CDFW moved quickly to implement these changes and worked collaboratively with fishermen to achieve a result that protects our fisheries and the people that depend on them. This is what good fishery management looks like.”
CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham remarked, “CDFW is pleased with the new assessment, which reflects what California anglers have been seeing, and is committed to restoring fishing access as quickly as possible. We appreciate all our fishing industry partners who participated in scientific data collections that contributed to this positive outcome – it was a true collaboration.”
With restored access to all-depth fishing for northern and central California, a sub-bag limit for canary rockfish is necessary to keep catches within the federal California recreational harvest guideline for this species. Therefore, a new two fish sub-bag limit will apply for canary rockfish, statewide. Additionally, vermilion and sunset rockfish will be managed together as a species complex, meaning that they are considered the same species for regulatory purposes (e.g., sub-bag limit) due to their nearly indistinguishable appearance.
These changes are intended to roll back restrictions that were put into place to avoid quillback rockfish, which are very rarely seen south of Point Conception. Since fishing in the Southern Groundfish Management Area [(GMA) south of Point Conception, 34° 27’ N. Lat. to the US/Mexico border] is constrained by copper and vermilion/sunset rockfish, there are no changes to the current fishing seasons in the Southern GMA. Groundfish fishing in the Southern GMA is currently open shoreward of the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary until September 30. The Map Viewer application can be used to view updated GMA boundaries and the 50 fathom Rockfish Conservation Area boundary.
The following summary details the changes adopted by the Commission:
Boat-Based Fishery Season Dates and Depths – North of Point Conception (34° 27’ N. Lat.; within the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central GMAs), groundfish fishing will be authorized in all water depths through December 31, 2025.
Species Retention – Nearshore, shelf, and slope rockfishes, lingcod, cabezon, and greenlings may be retained during the all-depth fishery.
Canary rockfish will have a new two fish sub-bag limit statewide.
Quillback rockfish will remain prohibited (no retention) statewide.
Vermilion and sunset rockfish in combination are limited to two fish south of 40° 10’ N. Lat. (near Cape Mendocino), and four fish between the OR/CA border and 40° 10’ N. Lat
Management Line at Lopez Point Removed – The Central GMA will revert to a single management area. The split at Lopez Point (36° N. Lat.) between the Central – North and Central – South GMA is no longer needed. The Central GMA remains at the same northern and southern borders from 37° 11’ N. Lat. (Pigeon Point) to 34° 27’ N. Lat. (Point Conception).
With all-depth fishing opportunity, anglers will experience greater flexibility on fishing trips when targeting species in addition to groundfish. Combination trips are no longer limited by depth constraints when targeting additional species or transiting between GMAs that do not have depth constraints. Note when transiting between GMAs it is still unlawful to exceed the bag limit of a GMA even if the fish are caught in another GMA (§27.20(b)(1)(A)(1). Meaning, anglers cannot catch four vermilion/sunset rockfish in the Northern GMA, then possess or land them in the Mendocino or another GMA with a two fish vermilion/sunset sub-bag limit. Similarly, anglers cannot take nearshore rockfish, cabezon, or greenling north of Point Conception and land them in the Southern GMA October through December when inshore fishing is closed.
CDFW will notify the public when the new regulations take effect through the Marine Management News blog; please subscribe to receive the notification or check back regularly for the announcement confirming the new regulations are in effect. Anglers should review the Summary of Recreational Groundfish Regulations page for the most up-to-date information before going fishing. If anglers encounter a quillback rockfish, CDFW strongly encourages using a descending device to return it to depth. When fishing in ocean waters from a vessel a landing net is always required, and when fishing for or possessing groundfish, a descending device is required to be carried aboard. Questions? Contact Ask Marine.”
Oregon Coast rockfish bag limits may be reduced “Beginning Monday, August 18, 2025, the General Marine Species bag limit will return to a 4-fish bag limit pending approval by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) on Friday, August 15. The 1-fish sub-bag limit for cabezon and the 1-fish sub-bag limit for canary rockfish will remain in place, and retention of quillback and yelloweye rockfishes remains prohibited.
Harvest limits for both black rockfish and canary rockfish are projected to be exceeded if the bag limit remains at five fish. A bag limit reduction from five to four during the month of August decreases the risk of an early season closure or a three-fish bag limit.
Additional information on the recreational rock fish fishery can be found on the ODFW sport rockfish webpage.
The General Marine Species group is made up of all rockfish species, greenlings, cabezon, skates, and other marine species not listed on page 81 of the 2025 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Book. Sablefish have been pulled out of the General Marine Species group and have a species-specific bag limit of 10 fish per angler.”
The Oceans: Eureka According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, the weather looks good for tuna starting Friday. “We haven’t got a real good SST shot, but it did look like the water was moving north towards us,” said Klassen. “Once we get a shot, we’ll be able to put together a plan. The rockfish bite at the Cape has been good, but the lingcod remain a little harder to come by. We’re still seeing a good variety of rockfish. The Pacific halibut bite is much improved, though effort has gone down. Most of the effort is near the 55 line.”
Shelter Cove The rock fishing was a little bit tougher this week reports Jake Mitchell, of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “We had some heavy current, which I think shut down the bite a little bit,” said Mitchell. “We still managed to limit both days, but really had to work for them. The Pacific halibut was also pretty dead. A few boats ran out for tuna outside Gorda Valley and did pretty well with scores up to 70 fish.”
Crescent City According to Will Moore of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, the California halibut bite is getting better each week. “Last week was really good, but this week we saw even more caught than last week,” said Moore. The Pacific halibut bite however, remains dead. The rockfish and lingcod bite are still excellent, with easy limits of both. And we’re seeing some big lings too. The redtail perch bite has been good at both Kellogg and Enderts Beach.
Brookings Salmon fishing has been slow out of Brookings, where hatchery coho may be kept reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Kings must be released, and along with wild coho, have made up most of the salmon catch,” said Martin. “Hatchery coho are few and far between, as the bulk of the run is closing in on the Columbia River, where coho fishing is nearly wide open.
Lingcod and rockfish action, along with sport crabbing, is good out of Brookings. With over weather expected this weekend, some boats may head offshore for tuna. Albacore fishing was a bust last week. A handful of boats headed out, and returned with just a couple of fish total, with most boats failing to find any tuna.”
The Rivers: Lower Klamath Steelhead fishing remains spotty on the Lower Klamath. The fish are still trickling in, with some days better than others. Fishing should only get better as we head into the first few weeks of August. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. More information can be found here.
Lower Rogue According to Martin, salmon fishing is now good on the Rogue Bay, with a fish per rod or better for most guide boats. “The bay is crowded. With better fishing, expect even more boats. Guides are getting fish with 360 flashers fished ahead of anchovies or small herring.”
Dave Brazil, along with buddies Jim Collins and Larry Kryla, landed this monster halibut while fishing out of Eureka on July 9. The big halibut is currently sitting atop the leader board at Englund Marine big halibut contest. Photo courtesy of Larry Kryla
Though we’ve had some spectacular ocean conditions the last several days, it’s been a fairly breezy summer. Which is by no means out of the ordinary. The one upside of a summer full of windy, non-fishable weather – a Pacific halibut quota that still has plenty of poundage left to fill. Maybe the catch-rates have been too low that CDFW didn’t feel the need to update the in-season tracking “Thermometer.” Whatever the reason, CDFW finally posted last week the first catch estimate since the season started back on May 1. As of July 31, California’s share of Area 2A’s quota, which includes Washington and Oregon, is at 26 percent, with only 10,122 net pounds harvested against the 39,280 quota. (500 pounds are set aside for the area south of Point Arena). There’s a real good chance the quota will last through the summer and into fall, especially if the warm tuna water comes within reach.
The Pacific halibut season will be open until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. To monitor the in-season tracking, visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut#31670772-in-season-tracking. The daily bag and possession limit for Pacific halibut is one fish. There is no minimum size limit. 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.
Weekend Marine Forecast After a pretty good stretch of calm seas, the breeze is returning to the North Coast. Although the winds won’t be strong, it will make for some choppy seas. Out 10 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for north winds 5 to 10 knots and waves north 4 feet at five seconds. Saturday, the winds will be from the northwest 5 to 10 knots with north waves 3 feet at five seconds. Sunday’s forecast looks to be a repeat of Saturday. 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.
“The razor clam fishery was closed in Del Norte County due to elevated levels of domoic acid in November 2023. State health agencies have continued to monitor domoic acid levels in razor clams since the closure, but test results consistently showed elevated levels, exceeding the federal action level (≥20 parts per million (ppm)). Clams collected in June and July 2025 from Crescent Beach, Del Norte County all had domoic acid concentrations lower than the federal action level, allowing the fishery to reopen.
DFW reminds clammers that the daily bag limit for razor clams is 20 and the first 20 clams dug must be retained regardless of size or condition. The fishery in odd-numbered years is open north of Battery Point, Crescent City in Del Norte County. Each person is required to keep a separate container for their clams and is not allowed to commingle their take with another person when digging and transporting clams to shore.”
Sport Crab season comes to a close The 2025 sport Dungeness crab season in Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties is closed as of Wednesday, July 30. The season is expected to reopen Nov. 1.
Junior Angler fishing program coming this Sunday The Redwood National and State Parks, along with California Fish and Wildlife experts will be hosting a Junior Angler Fishing Program this Sunday, Aug. 3. The event, which runs from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. will be held at Freshwater Beach with anglers meeting at the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center. Address is 119441 Highway 101 N. in Orick. This is a free event and fishing equipment will be provided. Participants 16 years and older are required to have a fishing license. For more information, call 707-951-5388.
The Oceans: Eureka We’ve had a good stretch of weather, but the Pacific halibut bite hasn’t been red hot out of Eureka reports Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “There’s been days where some boats limited out, but it wasn’t every day,” said Klassen. “There’s been an early morning bite, then it’s been really slow until the afternoon. I don’t think there’s big concentrations of fish. You’ll fish a spot and do really well one day and the next day it’s dried up. They’ve been caught from Trinidad all the way to Blunt’s reef, so they seem really spread out. We’re also starting to see some fish caught in closer now, around 240 feet. So, they may be moving in. The rockfish bite at the Cape has been really good. The variety of fish has been excellent with lots of blacks, and blues in shallow and plenty of canaries and vermillion out deeper. Looks like we’re going to be dealing with choppy conditions the next few days, which isn’t good for the chance at tuna. The water has been sitting about 46 miles out for a few days now.”
Shelter Cove “Rock fishing remains very good and were still getting limits of ling cod most days as well,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “The Pacific halibut bite slowed down a little this week, but the weather wasn’t that great. Most rock fishing effort was in tight right out front.”
Crescent City The rockfish bite is still wide-open reports Chris Hegnes of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. “Boats going down to the Sisters or north to the lighthouse are finding easy limits of rockfish,” said Hegnes. “The lingcod bite has been really good too. A half-dozen Pacific halibut were caught this week, including a 65-pounder. The California halibut bite has slowed down.”
Brookings Ocean coho fishing has been slow out of Brookings, but a few hatchery silvers are being caught reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “The bulk of the coho have now migrated north off of Coos Bay and Winchester Bay,” said Martin. “A few keepers are being caught near Mack Arch in 300 feet of water, near the surface. Halibut fishing has been good at times off of Brookings, but large schools of small black cod have slowed catch rates, and made it difficult to fish baits without getting hooks picked clean soon after reaching the bottom. Lingcod and rockfish action has been good, while sport crabbing also is good out of Brookings.”
Lower Rogue According to Martin, the Rogue Bay slowed in recent days, with fish seen splashing and rolling, but overall catch rates slow for late July. “Hot weather inland has kept salmon schooled up in the bay. Anglers are now awaiting a fresh wave of fish.”
