Fishing Information North Coast
Reel Steel Sportfishing
Oceans, Rivers, Lagoons and Humboldt Bay - If you like to fish, we've got the spot.
RIVERS
RIVERS
MATTOLE RIVER
The Mattole is a remote, free flowing river with no dams and a wild population of steelhead. It is located in the Southwest corner of Humboldt county, about 65 miles south of Eureka and 260 miles north of San Francisco. There are approximately 26 miles of fishable water from the mouth to the town of Honeydew. The fish of this river are wild with no hatchery fish being introduced. Catch and Release is asked for these fish.
EEL RIVER
The Eel flows through some of the most beautiful redwood groves in the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park. The Eel River flows for approximately 100 miles north through Mendocino and Humboldt counties and offers year-round fishing opportunities, with fall and winter salmon and steelhead runs being the best known. Shad fishing during the late spring and early summer offers the angler an exciting change of pace.
The primary fish of interest for the Eel include steelhead, chinook, coho, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Chinook start coming into the river in August. They tend to hold in the waters below Ferndale Bridge until rains allow them upstream. The Chinook run from August through December, with the peak in late October. The average Eel Chinooks are 8-15 lbs, with some up to 40lbs.
Winter steelheads are what the Eel River is known for. The winter steelhead start moving into the river in November running through March, with peak activity during January. The average Eel steely runs 8-10 lbs, with fish to 16lbs common and a number of fish in the 20lb class caught each year.
The Mattole is a remote, free flowing river with no dams and a wild population of steelhead. It is located in the Southwest corner of Humboldt county, about 65 miles south of Eureka and 260 miles north of San Francisco. There are approximately 26 miles of fishable water from the mouth to the town of Honeydew. The fish of this river are wild with no hatchery fish being introduced. Catch and Release is asked for these fish.
EEL RIVER
The Eel flows through some of the most beautiful redwood groves in the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park. The Eel River flows for approximately 100 miles north through Mendocino and Humboldt counties and offers year-round fishing opportunities, with fall and winter salmon and steelhead runs being the best known. Shad fishing during the late spring and early summer offers the angler an exciting change of pace.
The primary fish of interest for the Eel include steelhead, chinook, coho, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Chinook start coming into the river in August. They tend to hold in the waters below Ferndale Bridge until rains allow them upstream. The Chinook run from August through December, with the peak in late October. The average Eel Chinooks are 8-15 lbs, with some up to 40lbs.
Winter steelheads are what the Eel River is known for. The winter steelhead start moving into the river in November running through March, with peak activity during January. The average Eel steely runs 8-10 lbs, with fish to 16lbs common and a number of fish in the 20lb class caught each year.
VAN DUZEN RIVER
A tributary, entering the Eel at Alton, and like the Eel it’s noted for good runs of salmon and steelhead. The Van Duzen is regularly stocked by the Pacific Lumber Company hatchery located upstream on Yeager Creek. Runs Coincide with the Eel.
Grizzly State Park. This is probably the best area to fish for steelhead in the upper stretches of the river. The area offers rocks and deep holding holes. This area is located to the downstream side of the Park. The area accessible from the camping area offers shallow pools as opposed to the deeper pools downstream.
MAD RIVER
The Mad River is located 15 miles north of Eureka in Humboldt County. It originates at Ruth Lake about 100 miles to the southeast.
The species of the Mad include steelhead, king and silver salmon, and resident trout. The Mad has become known for its excellent winter steelhead, due in large part to the operation of the Mad River Fish Hatchery, which is located one mile southeast of Blue Lake on the south side of the river.
TRINITY RIVER
The Trinity River is world-famous for its fine steelhead and salmon fishing, as well as for trophy brown trout. Chinook salmon are the most sought-after gamefish in the Trinity River system. Spring-run salmon begin to enter the river in May and provide trophy fishing through November throughout the river.
Although brown trout are not native to the Trinity River, they were heavily stocked until the late 1970s. Today, a wild population continues to the upper river, providing fly and bait fishing for mostly 10- to 14-inch fish, although an occasional trophy to 10 pounds is sometimes landed.
The upper two miles of the river, from Lewiston Dam down to the Old Lewiston Bridge, is open only to fly-fishing.
KLAMATH RIVER
The Klamath River is the largest of the North Coast rivers of California stretching over 200 miles from its mouth to the Oregon border. Its mouth is located 60 miles north of Eureka and 20 miles south of Crescent City off Hwy 101. The fish of the Klamath are king and silver salmon, steelhead, and resident trout. The kings start running in July with the best action near the mouth coming in August and running through September. Summer/Fall steelhead start running from late summer through October. The winter run starts in November and goes through February.
LAGOONS
TRINITY RIVER
The Trinity River is world-famous for its fine steelhead and salmon fishing, as well as for trophy brown trout. Chinook salmon are the most sought-after gamefish in the Trinity River system. Spring-run salmon begin to enter the river in May and provide trophy fishing through November throughout the river.
Although brown trout are not native to the Trinity River, they were heavily stocked until the late 1970s. Today, a wild population continues to the upper river, providing fly and bait fishing for mostly 10- to 14-inch fish, although an occasional trophy to 10 pounds is sometimes landed.
The upper two miles of the river, from Lewiston Dam down to the Old Lewiston Bridge, is open only to fly-fishing.
KLAMATH RIVER
The Klamath River is the largest of the North Coast rivers of California stretching over 200 miles from its mouth to the Oregon border. Its mouth is located 60 miles north of Eureka and 20 miles south of Crescent City off Hwy 101. The fish of the Klamath are king and silver salmon, steelhead, and resident trout. The kings start running in July with the best action near the mouth coming in August and running through September. Summer/Fall steelhead start running from late summer through October. The winter run starts in November and goes through February.
LAGOONS
Located between Trinidad & Orick along Hwy 101 is a magical collection of landlocked waters, right on the coast but protected from the Pacific Ocean. The Humboldt Lagoons are a unique ecosystem providing unlimited outdoor recreation!
BIG LAGOON and STONE LAGOON are brackish because their ocean barriers are breached by storms nearly every winter and are a favorite fishing spot for cutthroat trout.
BIG LAGOON and STONE LAGOON are brackish because their ocean barriers are breached by storms nearly every winter and are a favorite fishing spot for cutthroat trout.
FRESHWATER LAGOON does not get breached and is open all year featuring rainbow trout and black bass.
D Fishing Guide Ed Duggan. 530-629-3554
P.O. Box 867, Willow Creek- - Steelhead and salmon drift boat fishing on the Trinity and Klamath.
Trinity River Fishing Report
P.O. Box 867, Willow Creek- - Steelhead and salmon drift boat fishing on the Trinity and Klamath.
Trinity River Fishing Report
92520 Hwy 96 Somes Bar, CA 95568 800 552 6284
Stay at this resort and fish Steelhead and Salmon on the Trinity & Klamath
by fly fishing or in a drift boat with guide.
OCEAN / BAY FISHING GUIDED SERVICES
Patrick's Point Charters - Toni Rae II
Trinidad 707-445-4106
The Toni Rae II offers salmon, rock cod, and specialized charter sport fishing trips.
Trinidad Bay Charters - Jumpin Jack
Trinidad Harbor 707-839-4743
Half-day fishing trips, twice daily, with light-tackle rock cod or salmon fishing, and crabbing (gear included). Enjoy Trinidad's beautiful coast on the 36-foot Jumpin' Jack with Captains Tom Lesher or Chris Jager.
Patrick's Point Charters - Toni Rae II
Trinidad 707-445-4106
The Toni Rae II offers salmon, rock cod, and specialized charter sport fishing trips.
Trinidad Bay Charters - Jumpin Jack
Trinidad Harbor 707-839-4743
Half-day fishing trips, twice daily, with light-tackle rock cod or salmon fishing, and crabbing (gear included). Enjoy Trinidad's beautiful coast on the 36-foot Jumpin' Jack with Captains Tom Lesher or Chris Jager.
Rent Kayaks completely rigged for fishing in the bay or go out on a trip with the Mothership and fish in the ocean. Call Hawk at 707-443-5157
Reel Steel - Woodley Island / Eureka Humboldt Bay
We provide custom fishing charters for groups of 4 or less. We provide all tackle and bait --- you may bring your own. With over 30 years experience fishing local waters Captain Tim Klassen can take you to the fish. (707) 499-4925
Kik'n Back Guide Services
707-476-9469 - Specializing in drift boat fishing for Salmon and Steelhead on the Smith, Trinity and Eel Rivers.
FISHING PACKAGES or SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Ocean Grove Lodge in Trinidad offers small group fishing adventures & accommodations.
Sylvan Harbor RV Park & Cabins in Trinidad offers boat parking and fish cleaning stations & accommodations.
Tsenwaldin Lodge in Hoopa arranges fishing tours and accommodations.
Klamath River Lodge in Orleans - Fishing resort on the Klamath River.
Dean Creek Resort - Redway offers accommodations near fishing on the Eel River.
Giant Redwoods RV Park - On the banks of the Eel River.
Samoa County Park - Boat ramp to Humboldt Bay and RV camping.
Grizzly Creek Campgrounds - River access and camping on the Van Duzen River.
Reel Steel - Woodley Island / Eureka Humboldt Bay
We provide custom fishing charters for groups of 4 or less. We provide all tackle and bait --- you may bring your own. With over 30 years experience fishing local waters Captain Tim Klassen can take you to the fish. (707) 499-4925
Kik'n Back Guide Services
707-476-9469 - Specializing in drift boat fishing for Salmon and Steelhead on the Smith, Trinity and Eel Rivers.
FISHING PACKAGES or SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Ocean Grove Lodge in Trinidad offers small group fishing adventures & accommodations.
Sylvan Harbor RV Park & Cabins in Trinidad offers boat parking and fish cleaning stations & accommodations.
Tsenwaldin Lodge in Hoopa arranges fishing tours and accommodations.
Klamath River Lodge in Orleans - Fishing resort on the Klamath River.
Dean Creek Resort - Redway offers accommodations near fishing on the Eel River.
Giant Redwoods RV Park - On the banks of the Eel River.
Samoa County Park - Boat ramp to Humboldt Bay and RV camping.
Grizzly Creek Campgrounds - River access and camping on the Van Duzen River.
FREE FISHING AREAS
Fish and Game code section 7153 provides for sport fishing from public piers without a sport-fishing license. All species, size and limit regulations apply to anyone fishing from these piers.
Fish and Game code section 7153 provides for sport fishing from public piers without a sport-fishing license. All species, size and limit regulations apply to anyone fishing from these piers.
*North and South Jetties from the ocean outwards
*F Street Dock in Eureka
*Samoa Boat Ramp
*Fields Landing Boat Ramp
*Bonnie Gool Guest Dock at the foot of L St. in Eureka
*Adorni Center Dock
*Public fishing pier at the foot of Del Norte St. in Eureka
HALIBUT
California and Pacific halibut are both found in the waters off Humboldt County. California halibut are the main focus of the Bay fishermen. While these fish can reach a size of 50-75 lbs, the Pacific halibut is the monster of the family reaching weights of 400 lbs in Alaskan waters. These fish are generally found outside the Bay.
SURF-PERCH
Sport fishing for surfperch remains open all year.
The best time to surf fish is during the high tide period, 1 to 2 hours before and following the high tide. The best time of day is early morning with the first two hours of daylight. The early evening hours can also be productive during a full moon or when spring and summer smelt runs are on. Heavy surf puts fish down so surf in the 3 to 5 foot range is best.
The best-known areas in Humboldt County for surf fishing are
· Gold Bluff Beach
· Patrick's Point
· Luffenholtz Beach
· Mouth of the Mad River
· Jetties at the Mouth of Humboldt Bay
· Centerville Beach
STURGEON - The sport fishery for sturgeon remains open all year.
California and Pacific halibut are both found in the waters off Humboldt County. California halibut are the main focus of the Bay fishermen. While these fish can reach a size of 50-75 lbs, the Pacific halibut is the monster of the family reaching weights of 400 lbs in Alaskan waters. These fish are generally found outside the Bay.
SURF-PERCH
Sport fishing for surfperch remains open all year.
The best time to surf fish is during the high tide period, 1 to 2 hours before and following the high tide. The best time of day is early morning with the first two hours of daylight. The early evening hours can also be productive during a full moon or when spring and summer smelt runs are on. Heavy surf puts fish down so surf in the 3 to 5 foot range is best.
The best-known areas in Humboldt County for surf fishing are
· Gold Bluff Beach
· Patrick's Point
· Luffenholtz Beach
· Mouth of the Mad River
· Jetties at the Mouth of Humboldt Bay
· Centerville Beach
STURGEON - The sport fishery for sturgeon remains open all year.
ABALONE - Recreational fishing for red abalone north of the mouth of San Francisco Bay is commonly open from August 1 through November 30th.
OCEAN SALMON -
Ocean Salmon, California halibut, sanddabs, yellowtail, tunas, kelp bass, barred and spotted sand bass, California corbina, white seabass, striped bass, monkeyfaced eels, and California barracuda.
OCEAN SALMON -
Ocean Salmon, California halibut, sanddabs, yellowtail, tunas, kelp bass, barred and spotted sand bass, California corbina, white seabass, striped bass, monkeyfaced eels, and California barracuda.
PLEASE CONSULT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME FOR CURRENT REGULATIONS;
EUREKA OFFICE (707) 445-6493 or visit their website at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/index.htmlhttp://www.dfg.ca.gov/about/fishing/ FISHING REGULATIONS
