The much-anticipated Pacific halibut season kicked off Thursday, but it was a slow start for the small fleet fishing out of Eureka. Ocean conditions weren’t very good according to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “The seas were pretty choppy and the water was really dirty,” said Klassen. “We didn’t see much life on the bottom either. We fished from 270 feet out to 420 feet and found no biters. Boats that went to scout the canyon had the same results. The fish could be out deeper, that’s where we’ve found them this early in the season in years past.”
The Pacific halibut season will be open until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The fishery will be open seven days a week, and the limit remains at one with no size restrictions.

Ocean conditions were much-improved Friday, and boats were planning on running down to Cape Mendocino to try their luck on rockfish.

Up in Crescent City, where ocean conditions were a little better and no bar crossing to contend with, boats hit all the usual spots and found plenty of hungry rockfish and ling cod. Most boats were able to put aboard limits pretty quickly. There weren’t any reports of Pacific halibut taken Thursday.

Down in Shelter Cove, Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing reported a hot bite for rockfish. “We fished down off White Rock and had limits of rockfish and lings by 10:00 a.m.

Weekend marine forecast
After a couple of decent days for the rockfish and halibut openers, rough seas along with gusty north winds will return on the weekend and into early next week. According to Eureka’s National Weather Service, a weak front moving through early Friday will bring lighter southerly winds across the area, but northerlies are expected to ramp up again behind the front this evening into the weekend. “Gale force gusts of 35 to 40 knots are possible even nearshore, with the strongest winds likely Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons. These winds will bring very steep, chaotic seas of around 12-15 feet at 10 seconds. Winds begin to ease Tuesday, and continue to gradually ease into the middle of next week.”

Saturday, winds will be out of the northwest 25 to 30 knots with northwest waves 9 feet at seven seconds. Sunday, winds will be 25 to 30 knots out of the north with north waves 10 feet at nine seconds and west 5 feet at 12 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.

The beach/jetties
The wind has made the beaches tough for anglers looking for redtail perch. When the ocean is rough, the mouth of the Elk River (stinky beach) or King Salmon are two of the better options to get out of the wind. Both can produce quality perch action. Conditions look horrible the next few days. When the seas are calm, Centerville, Table Bluff, Samoa, and any of the lagoon beaches can provide excellent fishing. Both jetties, weather permitting, have been giving up some nice black rockfish and some nice lingcod. The south jetty hasn’t been as good, but that will likely change as water and weather conditions improve. Small swimbaits or scampi jigs are catching fish as well as herring fished under a float.

Annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels began May 1​
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a press release on April 24 announcing the annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels gathered along the California coast. The quarantine began May 1 and applies to all species of mussels that are recreationally harvested for human consumption along the California coast, including all bays and estuaries. During the quarantine, mussels may only be harvested for non-consumptive uses, such as for bait.

The quarantine is in place to protect the public against poisoning that can lead to serious illness, including coma and death. According to the press release, the quarantine 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.

Mad River fish hatchery slated for closure
In a press release issued May 2, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has made the decision to cease hatchery operations at the Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County.

CDFW Statement:

“A combination of increased regulatory burden and a lack of flexibility, aging infrastructure, significant and necessary costly repairs and maintenance, modernization needs, and low fish production and returns forced the decision to close the steelhead trout hatchery just east of Arcata.

Quite simply, the steelhead program is no longer viable,” said Jason Roberts, Inland Fisheries Program Manager for CDFW’s Northern Region. “The Mad River Fish Hatchery is no longer providing much if any conservation benefit to the species nor the intended recreation or sport fishing benefits in the Mad River. The careful review of these resources indicated they could be better used elsewhere. Our focus now is implementing a transition plan for employees, equipment and resources, repurposing the buildings and making sure the property remains open and accessible for the public to access the Mad River.”

The Mad River Fish Hatchery has been beset by challenges for two decades. In 2004, a state budget crisis forced its closure. The hatchery was able to reopen in 2005 due to community support, but its operations have diminished over time as regulatory demands, operational expenses and infrastructure maintenance needs have increased.

Opened in 1971, the hatchery once raised Chinook salmon, inland salmon and rainbow trout for recreational fishing and steelhead trout to support the native run within the Mad River itself. Over time, all but the steelhead and trout programs have been phased out of hatchery operations.

Today, the Mad River Fish Hatchery is CDFW’s smallest hatchery with three full-time employees, a $730,000 annual budget and a maximum annual steelhead production goal capped by federal fish agencies at 150,000 fish. CDFW’s Trinity River Hatchery by comparison, which also operates a steelhead program to support species conservation and a destination sport fishery, raises and releases about 450,000 steelhead and 4.6 million salmon annually.

CDFW estimates it would need another $1 million annually to continue Mad River Fish Hatchery operations at current levels and likely tens of millions of additional dollars to make needed repairs, modernize the facility for the future and meet federal requirements.

The northern California steelhead found in the Mad River is a federally listed threatened species. As such, the federal government has considerable regulatory authority and oversight of Mad River Fish Hatchery operations, including operational standards that cap production limits in multiple ways and require biological monitoring of impacts to wild populations.

Remaining steelhead in the hatchery will be released into the Mad River in the spring with hatchery operations expected to cease in June.

CDFW plans to maintain a presence at the hatchery facility, repurposing the buildings into offices and continuing to use the workshop. The property will continue to be open from sunrise to sunset to allow public access to the river. The public’s current use of the premises to park and access fishing, hiking, birding and swimming along the Mad River will remain.

The closure of Mad River Fish Hatchery operations will not impact the local stocking of rainbow trout in inland waters for recreational fishing in Humboldt County.”

Upcoming kids fishing derbies
On Saturday, May 17, 2025 all kids 15 years old and younger are invited to the Ruth Lake Marina for the Kids Free Fishing Derby. The event will be from 8 a.m. until noon. Kids must bring their own fishing poles and must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a hot dog feed at 11:30. For more information, call the Ruth Lake Community Services District at 707-574-6332 or visit https://www.ruthlakecsd.org/local-events/

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 51st annual Trinity Lake Lions Fish Derby. The pond is located five miles north of the Trinity Center. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The fishing derby will last until 11 a.m. Free fishing tackle will be provided to the first 100 kids registered. Kids must bring their own fishing poles, and only bait will be allowed. Prizes will be awarded in many categories, along with a grand prize.  Free hot dogs, chips and drinks for everyone. For more information, call Scott at 408-401-8333.

RMI Outdoors fishing contest
RMI Outdoors of Eureka is holding their annual Screamin’ Reels fishing contest starting May 1 and running through Sept. 1. To enter, take a picture with your fish and like the RMI Facebook page at facebook.com/RMIOutdoors. Message RMI or email your picture to megan@rmioutdoorseureka.com. There are two categories, youth and adult youth. The youth with the most likes wins a fishing package and $50 RMI gift card and the adult youth with the most likes wins a $50 RMI gift card and a fishing rod. Visit rmioutdoorseureka.com/tackle for more information.

The Rivers
Main Stem Eel
The main stem is in great shape, and has been all week. As of Monday, flows were 2,100 cfs at Scotia and predicted to drop throughout the week. There should be some downers around, but conditions will continue to get tougher as the river drops. The main stem Eel to the South Fork is open all year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used through Sept. 30.

Smith
The Smith River closed to fishing after Wednesday, April 30 from its mouth to the confluence of the Middle and South Forks; Middle Fork Smith River from mouth to Patrick Creek; South Fork Smith River from the mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craigs Creek to Jones Creek. It will re-open May 24.

Lower Rogue
The Rogue River has slowed for spring Chinook, with a handful of fish a day caught, but poor catch rates with low, clear conditions reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Dam releases will give flows a bump this weekend. A few salmon are showing up already in the Upper Rogue near Shady Cove.”

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, Pacific halibut season opened Thursday out of Brookings, with a few fish caught but little effort with a mixed swell offshore. “Boats were gearing up for Friday’s nicer forecast. Lingcod and rockfish action remains good. Big schools of bait – with sardines, herring and anchovies – are balled up near the beaches, attracting pelicans, and a good sign for the May 16 king salmon opener. Surfperch action remains very good, while sport crabbing 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.