As of April 1, the 2025 boat-based season for rockfish and lingcod is officially open state-wide. This year’s season and depth structure is identical to 2024 for the Northern Management Area, which runs from the CA-OR border to the 40°10′ N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino). The seasons in Mendocino, San Francisco, Central GMA North of 36º N. Latitude, Central GMA South of 36º N. Latitude  and Southern GMA are the same as 2024 as well. The species authorized, specific bag and possession limits for each Groundfish Management Areas are different across the state, so be sure and check before you head out.

The season and depth structure are as follows:

• Apr. 1 – Apr. 30: 50-fathom offshore only fishery
• May 1 – Sept. 30: 20-fathom inshore only fishery
• Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: 50-fathom offshore only fishery
• Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: 20-fathom inshore only fishery

During the months of offshore fisheries, it is unlawful to possess in all waters: black, black and yellow, blue, brown, calico, China, copper, gopher, grass, kelp, and olive rockfishes; treefish Cabezon and Greenlings.

Take is prohibited shoreward of the 50 fathom (300 feet) Rockfish Conservation Area boundary line, which is a series of connected waypoints defined in Federal regulations. Only Shelf and Slope rockfish can be retained.

During the inshore fishery, take is prohibited seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) boundary line, which is defined by connecting the appropriate set of waypoints adopted in Section 35.00 of the regulations. The fishery allows opportunity to retain nearshore, shelf and slope rockfish, lingcod, cabezon and greenling.

In Oct. 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission adopted proposed changes to the 2025 groundfish regulations so the state recreational fishing regulations matched their federal counterparts. These regulation changes went into effect January 1, 2025 and include the following:

Copper rockfish limit: The copper rockfish sub-limit is one fish within the Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenling (RCG) Complex 10-fish aggregate limit, statewide. The one fish sub-bag limit is designed to keep catches within established harvest limits. 

Size Limits Eliminated for Some Species
The minimum size limits for cabezon, California scorpionfish (sculpin), kelp greenling, and rock greenling have been eliminated. 

Regulations for Fish Filleted at Sea
Lingcod: When possessed onboard any boat or brought ashore (for example, when filleted at sea), lingcod fillets must have the entire skin attached. Fillets must still be at least 14 inches long.  

California Scorpionfish (sculpin): When possessed onboard any boat or brought ashore (for example, when filleted at sea), California scorpionfish fillets can be of any size, and must have the entire skin attached.  

Cabezon, Kelp Greenling, and Rock Greenling: Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling may now be filleted at sea. When possessed onboard any boat or brought ashore, cabezon, kelp greenling and rock greenling fillets must have the entire skin attached. 

Marine forecast
Winds and seas will diminish significantly by Friday and Saturday, but another frontal system is forecast to arrive Sunday as a large long period swell fills into the waters. Friday is calling for north winds 5 to10 knots and northwest waves 4 feet at eight seconds. Saturday is calling for winds out of the southwest up to 5 knots with northwest waves 3 feet at eight seconds. The wind will increase slightly Sunday, coming out of the south 10 to 15 knots. Waves will be from the south 3 feet at seven seconds and west 6 feet at 13 seconds. 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.

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.

Upcoming events

Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake April 5
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday April 5th at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. or Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.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., 707-223-3858.

Perchin’ on the Peninsula coming April 26
After taking a few years off, 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.

The Rivers:
Reminder: The South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek and the Chetco all closed to fishing March 31.

Eel (main stem)
The main stem Eel is back on the drop after reaching 56,500 cfs at Scotia Wednesday. Needless to say, it remains high and off color. It will need up to 10 days of dry weather before it drops to a fishable level. With more rain on top for Sunday and Monday, it doesn’t look like it will fish for quite some time. The main stem Eel to the South Fork is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from April 1 through Sept. 30.

Smith River
Storms earlier in the week pushed the Smith up and over 14 feet on the Jed Smith gauge Tuesday. It’s now back in prime condition and should remain that way through Sunday afternoon, when the next rise is forecast. These late-season rises should flush some of the last spawned-out steelhead downriver and could bring in a few fresh ones. 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.

Southern Oregon rivers
“Spring salmon are being caught on the Rogue, both by plunkers fishing the lower river gravel bars, and jet boats anchoring on the side with anchovies”, said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “With decent catches in high water, anglers expect catch rates to sore late this will as the river drops into prime shape. Huntley Park has produced a handful of springers a day for shore anglers, while boaters are anchoring at the old mill, Elephant Rock and above Canfield Bar. The Chetco, Elk and Sixes are now closed for the season.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, lingcod and rockfish action is good out of Brookings on calm weather days. “Good weather returns the second half of the week. Bird Island and House Rock have been solid producers for quick bottom fish limits. Surfperch fish also has improved.”

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.