In a press release issued Friday, Nov. 17, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is expanding the temporary recreational crab trap restriction to include the area between the California/Oregon state line and Cape Mendocino (Fishing Zone 1), on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. All crab traps currently deployed in Fishing Zone 1 must be removed by 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2023. The restriction is due to the presence of humpback whales in the area and the potential for entanglement. Taking crab using hoop nets, snares, and hands is permitted statewide, and crab traps are currently be used in Fishing Zones 2 and 5.

Temporary trap restrictions will remain in effect between the Sonoma/Mendocino county line and Lopez Point, Monterey County (Fishing Zones 3 and 4). The trap restrictions in these zones will continue until lifted by CDFW.

In 2022, some changes to the regulations were made to the use of hoop nets. They include:

• Hoop nets are required to be regularly serviced every two hours;
• Design modification specs to prevent the device from functioning as a crab trap that could incentivize longer soak periods;
• Reduce the weight of the hoop net, thereby posing less harm to an entangled whale or sea turtle should that occur.
• Expand current gear marking requirements for hoop nets used south of Point Arguello, Santa Barbara County, to apply statewide, which will aid in identifying this gear type for enforcing these requirements and identify hoop nets involved in entanglements.

An annual crab trap validation is not required when taking crabs with hoop nets or crab loop traps.

For specific hoop net requirements, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Sport-Fishing/Invertebrate-Fishing-Regs#crustaceans.

On the commercial side, the Northern California commercial Dungeness crab season that was originally scheduled to open Dec. 1 has been delayed due to poor crab meat quality test results for Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties (zones 1 and 2). The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in this area is delayed until at least 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, pending another round of meat quality testing. If results indicate good quality, the fishery will open and be preceded by a 64-hour gear setting period that will begin at 8:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery in fishing zones 3-6 will also remain delayed due to presence of high numbers of humpback whales and the potential for entanglement with lines and traps in this fishery. CDFW anticipates the next risk assessment will take place on or before Dec. 7, at which time CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham will re-evaluate the temporary recreational crab trap restriction and commercial fishery delay.

Weekend weather and marine forecast
According to the US National Weather Service Eureka, no rain is in the forecast at least through mid-next week.

The weekend’s marine forecast is looking good for offshore crabbing. As of Wednesday, Saturday’s forecast is calling for northeast winds 5 to 10 knots with north waves 5 feet at eight seconds and west 9 feet at 18 seconds. Less wind is forecast for Sunday, coming out of the northeast up to 5 knots with northwest waves 2 feet at seven seconds and west 8 feet at 16 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. 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.

Nov. 24 and 25 free fish days in Oregon
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is waiving all fishing licensing requirements on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to experience fishing with friends and family during the long holiday weekend. All fishing, crabbing and clamming in Oregon will be free for both Oregon residents and non-residents. No licenses, tags or endorsements are needed on those days, but all other fishing regulations apply. Visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2023/11_Nov/111523.asp for more info.

PG&E’s initial dam removal plan released
In a move that caught a lot of people by surprise, PG&E unveiled their initial draft plan Nov. 17 for removing two Eel River dams and surrendering the utility’s federal license for the 100-year-old Potter Valley Project. In a press release issued by local non-profit Friends of the Eel River, one alternative would simply remove Scott and Cape Horn dams; the other, advanced by Sonoma Water, would move forward with a new diversion to the Russian River during the dam removal process. “Either way you look at it, the Eel River Dams’ days are numbered,” stated Friends of the Eel River Executive Director Alicia Hamann. “We prefer the most straightforward and quickest path to dam removal possible – the fish can’t afford any delays.” Interested members of the public looking to support the most beneficial option for Eel River fish can submit comments to PG&E by December 22.

The Friends of the Eel River will be holding two Comment Writing Workshops following PG&E’s release of their initial draft decommissioning plan for the Potter Valley Project.

When: Monday, Nov. 27, 5-7pm
Where: Paul’s Live from New York Pizza, Eureka

When: Thursday, Nov. 30, 5-7pm
Where: Gene Lucas Community Center, Fortuna

Comments are due by December 22, 2023 – visit eelriver.org to find guidance for submitting online comments to PG&E.
Bring your own laptop or mobile device for submitting online comments

Eel River salmon returns
The first fish Chinook salmon of the season arrived at Van Arsdale Fish Station (VAFS) on October 24, 2023. Over the past week, 10 Chinook salmon were observed moving upstream though the fishway. The season total for Chinook stands at 16 (2 Female, 1 Male, 2 unknown, and 11 Jack). For more information, visit www.eelriver.org/the-eel-river/fish-count.

The Rivers:
As of Wednesday, only the main stem Eel, Mad and Smith rivers are open to fishing. However, the Mad will be closed to fishing starting Thursday, Nov. 23. All other North Coast rivers subjected to low-flow fishing closures, including the South Fork Eel, Redwood Creek and Van Duzen are closed to angling The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2024.

Mad River
Flowing at 275 cfs as of Wednesday. Will be closed to fishing beginning Thursday, Nov. 23. Minimum flows are 200 cfs to lift angling restrictions.

Main Eel
Running at 1,200 cfs as of Wednesday afternoon. The river is in good shape and should remain open to fishing. There should be some steelhead starting to show upon the next rise in flows. The Eel River is closed to salmon fishing except catch and release by federally recognized tribes. Minimum Flow: 350 cubic feet per second at the gauging station near Scotia.

Smith River
The Smith was running at 2,150 cfs Wednesday and will be dropping slowly through at least early next week. Should remain open to steelhead fishing. The Smith is closed to all salmon fishing except for 1 Chinook Salmon and no more than 5 wild Chinook Salmon over 22 inches per year by federally recognized tribes while fishing under existing inland sport fishing regulations. Minimum flow: 600 cfs at the Jedediah Smith State Park gauging station.

Chetco/ Elk/Sixes
“Salmon fishing was slow on the Chetco early this week, despite good flows,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Big numbers of fish have now spawned. The Elk and Sixes were also slow, after good fishing a week ago. Half-pounder steelhead are being caught on the Chetco. Steelhead season opens Dec. 1. The Chetco above Nook Creek also opens Dec. 1, but salmon fishing remains closed.”

Brookings rockfish update
Ocean anglers are keeping a close eye on the weekend forecast, which show a big swell, but nearly 20 seconds between waves according to Martin. “With light winds, there could be a window to target rockfish and lingcod Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday. Lingcod fishing was good before the latest round of rough weather. Sport crab season remains closed in Oregon through November.”

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.