In press release issued on Nov. 6, CDFW has taken the recommendation of the CA Dept. of Public Health to delay the Dungeness crab season from he southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Protected Areas (41⁰ 17.6’ N. latitude) to the southern boundary of the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve (39° 33.3’ N. latitude). This area includes Trinidad and Eureka.
CDFW Statement:
State health agencies have determined that Dungeness crab from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Protected Areas (41⁰ 17.6’ N. latitude) to Cape Mendocino, Humboldt County (40⁰ 10’ N. latitude) pose a human health risk due to elevated levels of domoic acid and recommended a delay of the recreational Dungeness crab fishery. Following this recommendation,California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Meghan Hertel has delayed the recreational Dungeness crab fishery in this area.
This follows action taken by Director Hertel on Oct. 30 to restrict the use of recreational crab traps due to entanglement risk and delay the opening of the fishery in southern Humboldt County/northern County due to elevated levels of domoic acid. The full the area where the recreational fishery is delayed now extends from the southern boundary of the Reading Rock State Marine Protected Areas (41⁰ 17.6’ N. latitude) to the southern boundary of the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve (39° 33.3’ N. latitude). Recreational take and/or possession of Dungeness crab is prohibited in these closed waters.
This closure shall remain in effect until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, in consultation with the State Public Health Officer at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), determines that domoic acid no longer poses a significant public health risk.
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by Pseudo-nitzschia spp., a naturally occurring single-celled, marine alga under certain ocean conditions. Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish without the organism becoming ill themselves. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.
Rough ocean conditions will likely spoil the opener
Crab season is just around the corner! Three happy crabbers show off a nice haul of Dungeness crab from last season, but this year’s Nov. 7 opener comes with trap restrictions, a North Coast closure and plenty of new rules to know before setting your gear. Photo courtesy of Steve Huber/Crescent City Fishing
Barring any last minute domoic acid test failure, the recreational Dungeness crab season is set to open this Saturday, Nov. 7. But it won’t be business as usual for crabbers. Trap restrictions will be in place along the entire California coast due to whale entanglement concerns, while a portion of the North Coast (Shelter Cove) will remain closed because of elevated domoic acid levels.
Following recommendations from state health agencies, CDFW Director Meghan Hertel has delayed the recreational season in ocean waters from Cape Mendocino (40° 10′ N) south to the Ten Mile State Marine Reserve (39° 33.3′ N). Testing found unhealthy levels of domoic acid in crabs collected north of Fort Bragg. The closure prohibits both the recreational take and possession of Dungeness crab within the affected area.
Recreational crab traps will also be restricted from the California-Oregon border south to Point Conception through at least Jan. 1, 2027. The restrictions are in response to confirmed whale entanglements this year and a high abundance of humpback whales along the coast. CDFW has also issued a fleet advisory for all fishing zones, urging crabbers to avoid setting gear in areas where whales are present.
Hoop nets remain an option The good news for those looking to get out and crab is that the trap restrictions do not apply to hoop nets or crab snares (loop traps). Anglers using hoop nets are reminded that gear must be pulled and checked at least once every two hours and cannot be left unattended for longer periods.
The recreational season runs from Saturday, Nov. 7 through July 30, 2027. The minimum size is 5¾ inches, measured by the shortest distance through the body from edge of shell to edge of shell directly in front of, and excluding, the lateral spines. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 crabs, and a valid California sport fishing license is required.
An annual crab trap validation is not required when taking crabs with hoop nets or crab loop traps.
California Dungeness crab hoop net regulations North of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County
1. Legal hoop net types Only Type A and Type B hoop nets are allowed.
Type A: One to three rigid rings, each between 10 and 36 inches in inside diameter. Must have a non-metallic soft mesh bottom and collapse flat on the ocean floor. Maximum suspended height is 36 inches.
Type B: Two rigid rings (plus an optional bait ring). Bottom ring cannot exceed 36 inches; top ring must be at least 15 inches. Maximum frame height is 10 inches, and maximum suspended net height is 30 inches. No entrances are allowed below the top ring.
2. Checking hoop nets
Hoop nets must be pulled to the surface and inspected at least once every 2 hours.
Leaving a hoop net unchecked for more than 2 hours is considered abandonment.
Abandoned nets may be seized by enforcement officers.
3. Number of hoop nets allowed North of Point Arguello
No limit on the number of hoop nets a person may possess or deploy.
Important exception: Public piers. You cannot use more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps, or other legal devices (including hoop nets) to take crabs.
4. Main buoy requirements
A main surface buoy is required for offshore hoop nets. This requirement does not apply to nets deployed from piers or jetties.
Main buoys cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter or 14 inches in length.
Buoys must be marked with the appropriate identification number:
The commercial Dungeness crab fishery will be delayed from the California/Oregon border to Point Conception until at least Jan. 1, 2027. The commercial season delay and recreational trap restriction is required due to the number of humpback whale entanglements during the 2026 calendar year.
Weekend marine forecast According to Eureka’s National Weather service, “Northerly winds are expected to weaken Friday and into the weekend as a weather system turns them southerly Saturday night into Sunday. The strength of these winds is still uncertain, but some moderate to near-gale force south winds are possible depending how far south this trough reaches. Behind this there is the potential for an even larger swell. The most recent model run is showing this building to around 13 to 15 feet at 15 seconds.”
As of Thursday afternoon, out 10 nautical miles, Saturday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the south 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 11 feet at 15 seconds. Sunday, winds will be out of the northeast 5 to 10 knots with west waves 11 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 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.
Dungeness crab testing continues Domoic acid testing in Dungeness crabs is continuing on the California coast. To date, samples from Monterey, Pillar Point, Pigeon Point, Crescent City, Fort Bragg, and Half Moon Bay have been sampled. Only the collection site of Usal north of Fort Bragg has come back with samples exceeding action level. More information regarding Domoic Acid and the latest test results can be found here.
The Oceans: Eureka “Eureka remains pretty quiet, but the rockfish have been biting at Cape Mendocino when boats can get down there,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “I haven’t heard much about Pacific halibut as the effort has really slowed down. Dungeness crab season is supposed to open Saturday, but the ocean conditions look horrible.”
Shelter Cove According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, rock fishing has been solid. “We’re getting quick limits most days we’re able to get out,” said Mitchell. We’ve been spending most of our time around the Old Man.” The Dungeness crab season has been delayed out of Shelter Cove due to unhealthy levels of domoic acid.
Brookings “Rough weather has limited the window to fish for lingcod and rockfish out of Brookings,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Sport crabbing is closed until Dec. 1.”
North Coast river closures Currently, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, South Fork Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith and Van Duzen are closed. Sections of rivers that are open include the main stem Smith River from its mouth to the mouth of Rowdy Creek. 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, 2027.
Lower Trinity weir counts The last couple of weeks of Oct. saw a decline in adult salmon coming into the lower Trinity River. For the week ending Oct. 28, a total of 71 adult kings were counted at the Hoopa weir. The jack count for the week was 11. For the season to date, 3,903 (adults and jacks) have been counted, including both hatchery and wild in 41 trap days. In 2025, the season total was 1,957 in 36 trap days.
Upper Trinity River adult salmon quota met as of Oct 29 As a reminder, the Upper Trinity River recreational adult fall-run Chinook salmon quota was met after Wednesday, Oct. 28. The adult retention closure is from the Old Lewiston Bridge to the Highway 299 West Bridge at Cedar Flat. This section will remain open to the harvest of jack (2-year-old) Chinook salmon (less than or equal to 23 inches).
The quota for adult Chinook on the upper Trinity this season was 536 adult fish. Anglers can monitor the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling CDFW’s information hotline at (800) 564-6479.
Chetco/Rogue According to Martin, salmon fishing has slowed in the Chetco estuary, with fish quickly moving through the lower river into the tidewater pools. “Bobber gear restrictions have been extended until significant rains arrive. Salmon are biting sand shrimp and anchovies fished below bobbers in the upper tidewater. Fishing is slow on the Rogue, as salmon are spawning near Grants Pass. A few summer steelhead are being caught near Agness.”
Gear restrictions extended on Chetco, Winchuck rivers Due to low water levels, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended recreational angling gear restrictions for the Chetco and Winchuck rivers through Dec. 31 according to a press release issued on Nov. 2.
ODFW Statement: “Angling is restricted in both rivers to bobber fishing or fly fishing with a strike indicator until Dec. 31. The Chetco restriction applies from River Mile 2.2 to Nook Creek, and in the Winchuck the restriction is from the mouth to Wheeler Creek.
Based on historical flow regimes, gear restrictions are typically in place Sept. 1 – Nov. 3 each year. As in 2022, this year is an exception with abnormally low flows and no significant rain expected. The gear restriction will be lifted once flows have increased and are forecasted to remain high enough to allow Chinook to distribute throughout the river.
Extending the gear restriction allows anglers the continued opportunity to fish for salmon while reducing the incidence of snagging and poaching. Illegal fishing techniques are problematic when low water levels keep fish within the lower reaches of the rivers. The salmon become a target for snagging and other methods of poaching.
ODFW biologists are already seeing good numbers of Chinook returning to the Chetco. Maintaining a fishing opportunity for anglers is important and this is also a good time of year to harvest returning hatchery fish.
Anglers are reminded that the daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish per day and no more than five adult wild Chinook can be retained for the season.” For more information, visit the ODFW Regulation Update Page.
Bluefin tuna are making a late-season appearance off the North Coast. Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing and fellow anglers from Shelter Cove have landed bluefin weighing 30 to 60 pounds, with most of the action occurring 10 to 30 miles offshore. Photo courtesy of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing.
After hearing reports of bluefin tuna being caught out of Fort Bragg, Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing and a few other boats from Shelter Cove decided it was worth taking a look. Last Thursday, as they headed southwest from the Cove, they came across a couple of schools of bluefin.
“We were lucky to get one fish that day,” said Mitchell. “Since then, there have been 11 more bluefin landed, with Monday being the most productive day.”
The fleet grew by Wednesday, but the fishing had slowed. “I don’t think there’s a big concentration of fish out there, but that could change,” Mitchell said. “Most of the fish have been caught between 10 and 30 miles offshore. They haven’t been huge, but most are running between 30 and 60 pounds. Trolling Madmacs and spreader bars has worked for us.”
Conditions are forecast to improve by Sunday and into early next week. Combine that with warm water being pushed north by Kelvin waves, and things could get interesting for the Shelter Cove and Humboldt fleets. If the tuna stick around and conditions cooperate, we could be looking at the start of an exciting late-season opportunity.
Weekend marine forecast According to Eureka’s National Weather Service, “elevated northerly winds and steep seas are anticipated through Saturday with a very high chance for widespread gale force gusts by very early Friday and continuing into very early Saturday. Seas will be dominated by these steep and hazardous wind waves. Winds diminish Saturday into Sunday as a low pressure system approaches north of the area
As of Thursday afternoon, out 10 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the north 25 to 30 knots with northwest waves 9 feet at nine seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the north 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at 10 seconds and south 1 foot at 16 seconds. Sunday, winds will be up to 5 knots out of the south with northwest waves 4 feet at 10 seconds and southwest 1 foot at 15 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.
Mattole Salmon Group Launches “Raffle for the Fish” The Mattole Salmon Group has launched its first “Raffle for the Fish,” giving anglers a chance to win overnight accommodations with access to private Mattole River fishing sites during the 2027 season, along with outdoor gear donated by Patagonia. Tickets are $100, with the drawing scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 1, 2026. The drawing will be livestreamed on the Salmon Group’s website.
More importantly, proceeds will support the group’s ongoing efforts to restore wild salmon and steelhead habitat on the undammed, unhatchery-supported Mattole River. Current projects include improving natural pool formation, creating off-channel summer and winter habitat, increasing water retention for summer flows, and providing shade to protect juvenile fish during hot weather. Tickets and prize information are available at mattolesalmon.org.
Dungeness crab testing continues Domoic acid testing in Dungeness crabs is continuing on the California coast. To date, samples from Monterey, Pillar Point, and Pigeon Point have been reported and all have come back clean. More information regarding Domoic Acid and the latest test results can be found here.
Brookings “Lingcod and rockfish action has been very good out of Brookings, but windy weather has limited the number of days boaters can get out,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Halibut fishing remains slow. Sport crabbing is now closed.”
Lower Trinity weir counts The last couple of weeks of Sept. and into early Oct. saw a good push of chinook salmon into the lower Trinity River. For the week ending Oct. 14, a total of 226 adult kings were counted at the Hoopa weir. The jack count for the week was 24. For the season to date, 3,765 (adults and jacks) have been counted, including both hatchery and wild in 31 trap days. In 2025, the season total was 1,957 in 36 trap days.
Shasta River Chinook counts slow to a crawl Fall Chinook passage at the Shasta River counting station has nearly ground to a halt, while counts are beginning to pick up on the Scott River and several upper Klamath tributaries.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Oct. 16 in-season update, a total of 3,541 adult Chinook had passed the Shasta River counting station through Oct. 15. That’s an increase of just 40 fish over the past week, following gains of 1,172 in late September and another 309 the week after.
Steelhead numbers at the Shasta remain low, with just 29 adults measuring over 16 inches recorded.
Meanwhile, Chinook counts are starting to climb elsewhere in the basin. The Scott River count quadrupled to 40 fish, making it the second-busiest counting station in the system. Shovel Creek increased from 12 to 30 Chinook, Jenny Creek climbed from one to 10, and Bogus Creek rose from four to 11.
No coho salmon have been recorded at any of the five counting stations.
North Coast river closures Currently, all North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, South Fork Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith and Van Duzen are closed. Sections of rivers that are open include the main stem Smith River from its mouth to the mouth of Rowdy Creek.
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, 2027.
Lower Trinity River adult salmon quota met after Friday, Oct. 16 As a reminder, the Lower Trinity River recreational adult fall-run Chinook salmon quota was met after Friday, Oct. 16. The adult retention closure is from the Denny Road Bridge at Hawkins Bar to the confluence with the Klamath River. This section will remain open to the harvest of jack (2-year-old) Chinook salmon (less than or equal to 23 inches).
Anglers can monitor the quota status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling CDFW’s information hotline at (800) 564-6479.
The Rivers: Lower Klamath There’s very little fishing pressure on the Lower Klamath as fishing has slowed. There’s some half-pounders around and a few adult steelhead, but most of the kings are upriver.
The recreational fall-run adult salmon quota on the Klamath River below the Highway 96 Bridge near Weitchpec was met as of Sept. 13. The lower main stem of the Klamath River below the Highway 96 Bridge will remain open to the harvest of jack salmon (2-year-olds) measuring 23 inches or less. All adult Chinook salmon caught in this reach must be immediately released.
Anglers may still target adult Chinook salmon in other reaches of the Klamath Basin, including the main stem of the Klamath River above Weitchpec.
Chetco |According to Martin, salmon fishing has slowed in the Chetco estuary, but a few kings are still being caught each morning. “Big numbers of salmon have moved into the tidewater, but low flows and clear water have made the bite tough. The river is way too low to drift, so bank anglers are using bobbers to fish the deeper tidewater holes.”
John Murray of San Francisco hold a fresh Smith River winter steelhead from late February. Photo courtesy of Kenny Priest/Fishing the North Coast Guide Service
It looks like this year’s winter is refusing to end, but unfortunately, the winter steelhead season will. Enough rain will fall over the next few days to keep just about all of the coastal rivers high and off-color, essentially washing away the last weekend of steelhead season.
As of Thursday, all of the coastal rivers, most of which were still off color, were back on the rise and headed towards blowout status. Only the quick-clearing Smith will have a shot at being fishable this weekend. Humboldt rivers, including the Mad, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen and Redwood Creek, are all toast as far as green water goes.
As we look back on the season, it was another wet one. The fishing this year was slightly better than the last couple, so things are looking up. And the last drought year of 2022 is now three years behind us, so we should see the steelhead numbers begin to build.
But as one season comes to a close, more will soon open. As the calendar nears April, it’s time to change gears and look toward the next angling opportunity. The rockfish (April 1 for deep water) and Pacific halibut openers are right around the corner and the California halibut will hopefully show up in Humboldt Bay. It’s also time to think about spring salmon on the lower Rogue River. There’s redtails to be had from all the local beaches, and the lagoons are full of trout. It’s been a wet and wild steelhead season, but I for one am ready for a little sunshine.
Steelhead rivers openings/closures After Monday, March 31, the South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek, Mattole and Chetco rivers will all be closed to fishing.
The main stem Eel, from its mouth to the South Fork, is open to fishing all year. From the mouth to Fulmor Road, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from April 1 through Friday, May 23, 2025. Only barbless hooks may be used from May 24 through Mar. 31, 2026.
From Fulmor Road to the South Fork, it’s open all year. From April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Only barbless hooks may be used from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31, 2026.
The main stem of the Smith will remain open through the end of April from its mouth to the confluence with the Middle and South forks. The Middle Fork will also remain open through April from its mouth to Patrick’s Creek. The South Fork is open through April as well, from its mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craig’s Creek to Jones Creek. Only barbless hooks may be used from Sept. 1 through Apr. 30. The bag limit remains the same at two hatchery steelhead per day.
Sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers are open to fishing but are subject to in-season changes. More information can be found here.
Eel River steelhead returns Over the past two weeks, March 10-23, a total of 26 adult steelhead and two subadult steelhead were observed moving upstream through the fishway at Cape Horn dam according to Andrew Anderson, an Aquatic Biologist with PG&E. The season total for upstream migrating adult steelhead now stands at 334 (female 155, male 104, unknown adult 75). The last time the Van Arsdale Reservoir saw more than 300 steelhead was back in 2019. This count doesn’t reflect the entire population; it only includes the fish who travel over 150 miles to make it to the fish ladder at Cape Horn Dam. Many salmonids spawn in tributaries downstream. For more information, visit www.eelriver.org/the-eel-river/fish-count/.
Upcoming salmon meetings April 9-15: PFMC April Meeting in San Jose, CA. The Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by Salmon Technical Team. Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 15.
April 16-17: CDFW Meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Commission will receive an update on 2025 ocean salmon sport fishing regulations, with the public invited to ask questions or provide input.
Cal Poly Humboldt looking for summer surfperch anglers The Cal Poly Humboldt Department. of Fisheries Biology is looking to hire two students to help hook and line sample for surfperch in six Humboldt and Mendocino beaches from May to October, six days a month, four to eight hours per day, including three two-day trips. The Pay is $17 per hour. Applicants need to have their own gear. To apply, send CV and cover letter to noah.gabay@Humboldt.edu by April 15. Or for more information, visit www.facebook.com/HumboldtFishBio.
Englund Marine saltwater seminar coming this Saturday On Saturday March 29, Eureka’s Englund Marine will host a saltwater seminar at the Englund Marine store located at 590 W. Waterfront Dr. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Guest speakers include Captain Del “Tuna Dog” Stephens, Scott Fordice of Lowrance, and Matt Dallum with an update from HASA. Additionally, there will be reps from Star brite boat products and CDFW. More information will be available at https://www.englundmarine.com/pages/seminars.html.
The Rivers: Mad, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen and Redwood Creek All are on the rise, or soon will be, and won’t drop back into fishable prior to the season closing after Monday, March 31.
Main stem Eel The main Eel is high and off color and will back on the rise Thursday afternoon. It’s predicted to reach 30,000 cubic feet per second Friday night. After a break in the rain Saturday where flows will drop to roughly 17,000 cfs, Sunday and Monday’s storm will again push flows above 30,000 cfs early Tuesday morning. It will take at least a couple weeks of dry weather to drop it back into fishable shape. It starts to fish once it drops to right around 5,000 cfs.
Smith The Smith was at 11.6 feet at Jed Smith gauge Thursday at noon, but is forecast for a big rise later in the day. It’s predicted to reach nearly 16 feet by Friday morning before dropping all day Saturday and most of Sunday. It should be fishable Sunday before more rain will likely blow it out for Monday and Tuesday. Looking at the 10-day ensemble forecast, it predicted to be above 11 feet all week.
Southern Oregon rivers The Chetco has been high and muddy for much of March, and will be blown out again this weekend reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Monday is the final day of the season,” said Martin. “Fishing was hit and miss most of the season, with the majority of the fish smaller adults, less than 6 pounds. Most anglers have already turned their attention to spring salmon on the Rogue, where action should pick up substantially after this current rise in flows. April and early May tend to produce the best fishing for hatchery springers. A few fish were caught earlier this week.”
Brookings ocean report According to Martin, the ocean out of Brookings has produced good lingcod and rockfish action when boats can get out. “This weekend looks fishable, as long as the bar crossing isn’t too rough. High flows on the Chetco could make for rough conditions on Saturday. Sunday has a smaller swell. Halibut season opens May 1.”
Chris Hall, left, and Raj Desai with a late season steelhead taken on the South Fork Eel River earlier in March. Photo courtesy of Fishing the North Coast
Following last weekend’s drenching, all of the coastal rivers are now back on the drop. But with just a handful of days left in the season, and more rain predicted next week, the options are few for those looking for the last of the winter steelhead. The Smith, though still big but green, is always the first to clear and would be a good option. Even with rain coming over the weekend, it should remain fishable and will be in pristine condition early next week. For the Humboldt rivers, specifically the SF Eel, the only real opportunity will be next Tuesday and Wednesday. Flows are predicted to dip under 2,000 cfs at Miranda Tuesday, and Wednesday is looking even better. But then it’s predicted to all come crashing down. Rain is in the forecast beginning Wednesday night, which will likely blow out all the Humboldt rivers for the remainder of their season.
The Smith will remain open through April, and the main stem Eel is open year-round. So, there is a chance to get a few more days on the river, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
While these extremely wet winters on the North Coast may not bring much joy to steelhead anglers, they’re a blessing for the fish. The extra water will go a long way in helping the steelhead reach their spawning grounds and also provide a helping hand for the juvenile salmonids as they begin their journey down to the saltwater.
The weather ahead According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, relatively steady light to moderate rain will continue into Friday and early Saturday. “Total accumulations are around 2 to 3 inches in Del Norte, 1 to 1.5 inches in Humboldt, and 0.1 to 0.5 in Trinity. Snow levels are around 3000 to 4000 feet, and Scott Mountain Pass and the highest passes of Highway 36 could see a light amounts of snow. Less than a quarter inch of precipitation is expected in Mendocino and Lake counties.
A warmer and dryer pattern arrives Sunday into early next week. Temperatures in the interior are forecast to rise into the 70s and 80s by Monday. 60s are possible at the coastal areas, but stratus may make a return, as well. Ensembles are showing a return to wet weather mid next week. Both the CPC 6-10 day outlook and the 8-14 day outlook are showing increasing chances for above normal precipitation.”
PFMC to hold public hearing on salmon season alternatives The PFMC will hold a public hearing in Santa Rosa, CA March 24. The purpose of this hearing is to receive comments on the proposed management alternatives in preparation for adopting final salmon management recommendations at the April 2025 Council meeting. A summary of verbal comments heard at the hearings will be provided to the Pacific Council at its April meeting. This public hearing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriot in the Sonoma Room, 175 Railroad Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Details on how to attend the public hearing and PFMC meeting, as well as instructions to provide public comment, can be found here.
Englund Marine saltwater seminar coming March 29 On Saturday March 29, Eureka’s Englund Marine will host a saltwater seminar at the Englund Marine store located at 590 W. Waterfront Dr. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Guest speakers include Captain Del “Tuna Dog” Stephens, Scott Fordice of Lowrance, and Matt Dallum with an update from HASA. Additionally, there will be reps from Star brite boat products and CDFW. More information will be available at https://www.englundmarine.com/pages/seminars.html.
Perchin’ on the Peninsula coming April 26 After a few-year hiatus, the Samoa Peninsula Fire District will be bringing back their Annual Perchin’ on the Peninsula Surfperch Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry/Oyster BBQ Fundraiser. The 11th annual event will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Samoa Women’s Club, 115 Sunset Ave, Samoa. The fish fry fundraiser is open to the public and admission is only $10 for adults and $5 for juniors for just the fish fry. Adult fishing tournament entry is $20 and junior entry (under 16) is $10. Fish fry lunch is included with tournament entry. Lunch begins at noon, weigh-ins end at 2 p.m.
Tournament day registration is available at the Samoa Women’s Club. Entries can be purchased online at www.facebook.com/samoafire or Grundman’s, Pacific Outfitters, Bucksport, Ace Hardware in Fortuna, or A-1 Feed in McKinleyville, or Salty’s Bait in Trinidad. Tournament rules are available at all sign-up locations. For more information, call (707) 599-3383 or email samoafire@gmail.com. All proceeds are a direct donation to the Samoa Peninsula Fire District.
Trinity River flow release updates The California Department of Water Resources March 90% B120 declaration was published on Mar. 10 as “wet” with the 90% determination at 1,415,000 acre feet. The hydrograph developed by the Program with the “wet” water allocation for Mar. 15 – April 14 will commence on March 21 after Storage Management Releases from Trinity Reservoir come to a close.
The Rivers: Mad The Mad is still high and off-color, which won’t change anytime soon. With the steelhead season closing after March 31, it’s unlikely it will drop into fishable shape prior to closing. It’s predicted to drop through next Wednesday when the next storm is forecast to arrive.
Main stem Eel The main Eel is big and dirty, running at 24,000 cfs at Scotia Thursday. If we see an extended dry period lasting around 10 days, it could come around into fishable shape. But that doesn’t appear to be the case as rain is back in the forecast for later next week. The main stem Eel, from its mouth to the South Fork, is open to fishing all year. From April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
South Fork Eel The South Fork is starting to turn green in the Piercy area, and will continue to drop through mid-next week. Right now, it’s looking like it will be in fishable shape on the lower end next Tuesday and Wednesday. Another rise is in the forecast beginning next Thursday, which will likely keep it off color through the end of the month.
Van Duzen The Van Duzen is still high and off color as of Thursday. It will be on the drop through the weekend, and could be fishable by mid next-week. It’s predicted to blowout next Thursday, likely putting an end to the season as it closes after March 31.
Smith After topping out at nearly 26 feet at the Jed Smith gauge Sunday, the Smith has dropped back down to a fishable level. As of Thursday, it was down to 11.5 feet. Rain is in the forecast for the next couple of days, which will push flows to over 13 feet on Saturday. Conditions should be excellent early next week, before the next rise starts Thursday. Reports have been hard to come by as most anglers have called it a season or moved to other rivers.
Chetco/Rogue The Chetco reached flood stage over the weekend, cresting just below 60,000 cfs reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “It appears to be on pace to be blown out through the weekend, but could be in shape for late-season steelhead Tuesday or Wednesday,” said Martin. “The Rogue also flooded and will likely be too high even for springers through the weekend. Expect plenty of spring salmon as it drops next week.”
Brookings ocean report According to Martin, the ocean had a brief window for bottom fishing on Tuesday, with limits of rockfish and a few lingcod. “More fishable weather could arrive on Saturday, with a better forecast early next week.”
