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.”
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.”
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.
