Headline News from Northern California & Southern Oregon

Winter on the Upper Klamath River, Siskiyou County
Anglers drift-fish this river daily in fall and winter often in widely fluctuating weather.


 


Mad River Fishing Report
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Mad River

After peaking at over 20 feet Tuesday night, the Mad is back on the drop. As of Thursday, it was back down to 13.5 feet. Will likely need at least 10 days before it’s green, especially with Ruth Lake full and spilling.
Sacramento, Klamath salmon rebound projected for 2026
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 27, 2026


On Wednesday, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) held its annual Salmon Information Meeting, unveiling the 2026 ocean abundance forecasts — and the numbers point toward a rebound, particularly for the Sacramento Basin. The forecast for Sacramento River fall Chinook — the primary stock harvested in California fisheries — came in at 392,349 adults. For comparison, the 2025 ocean abundance estimate...
Full Story 
Klamath Fall Chinook Return Tops Expectations in 2025
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 19, 2026


The Pacific Fishery Management Council released its Review of 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries report Wednesday, and the news was considerably better than expected for the Klamath Basin. Based on an ocean abundance estimate of 82,672 Klamath River fall Chinook believed to be in the ocean last fall, forecasters predicted just 28,554 adults would return to the river in 2025. Instead, the...
Full Story 
After a brief lull the Trout Bite is back on!
by Collins Lake Staff, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Collins Lake

We’ve been enjoying what feels like an early spring here at Collins Lake but the forecast for the week to come looks like winter again! The surface temperature is cool, around 52°F and the lake is still 100% full and gently spilling about an inch. We haven’t had many windy days which means clearer water- and indeed visibility measures at around...
Full Story 
Finally — Rain on the Way for North Coast Steelhead Rivers
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 5, 2026


After five weeks of dry weather, rain is finally returning to the North Coast — and just in the nick of time. Several smaller rivers, including the Van Duzen, Mattole and Redwood Creek, have been closed for some time due to low-flow fishing restrictions. At the moment, nearly all North Coast rivers remain low and clear, with the exception of the...
Full Story 
Dry Stretch Continues as North Coast Rivers Drop
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 29, 2026


Another week of steelhead fishing is in the books, and once again it passed without any meaningful precipitation. Most North Coast rivers are now running low and clear, with the notable exceptions of the larger systems like the Eel and the Klamath. Redwood Creek has closed due to low flows, and the Van Duzen followed earlier this week, with additional...
Full Story 
Page 3

SacRiverGuide.com