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.”

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 www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.