As the winter storms begin to push shoreward on the North Coast – coinciding with the calendar flipping one last time in 2023 – it’s time to transition from the late fall-kings to winter steelhead. The king season was a bust for those of us in Northern California as salmon fishing was off limits for both the Eel and Smith Rivers. Each of those rivers have seen decent returns, which should have been the case with no ocean commercial or recreational season. And as per usual for the start of December, the majority of the late-fall salmon have reached their end destination and we now wait for the winter steelhead to make their way into the coastal rivers.

A couple decent storms are on tap between Thursday and Monday, with the largest rainfall totals falling in the Smith basin and Southern Oregon. Here in Humboldt, we’ll see some rivers rise, but no gully washers are predicted. More rain is predicted for next week, which should really open the door. Steady rain and pulse flows are just what we need to entice some steelhead from the salt. If the rain falls as predicted, the Smith will be in great shape by early next week and Chetco won’t be far behind.

Weather ahead
According to the Eureka’s National Weather Service, wet weather is forecast to return on Thursday and continue through the weekend. “Two systems are expected to bring moisture to Northwest California back to back. Most of the rainfall is forecast to be concentrated in regions of Del Norte, Trinity, and Humboldt counties. This active period will drive additional waves of precipitation through the weekend and into early next week. The impacts of more significant rainfall are still being determined as the location of an offshore high pressure system remains uncertain. The positioning of this high pressure system will direct subtropical moisture into the Pacific Northwest, but has the potential to remain concentrated north of California.” The highest probability for over 2 inches of precipitation is forecast for Del Norte County and northern Humboldt Counties this weekend.

Eureka sport crabbing
After some pretty poor results Sunday due to large swells Saturday, sport crabbing picked back up Monday and boats reported easy limits of big crab. Large, close-together swells are predicted through the weekend which will likely keep boats tied up. Reminder, the North Coast (fishing zone 1) is currently under trap restrictions, and crabs can only be taken using hoop nets, snares, and hands.

Shelter Cove update
“Rock fishing has been great, and we’ve even gotten limits of lingcod the last few trips,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “Most of the rockfish action has been just outside the Hat. Crabbing has been good as well just below the Coast Guard buoy. It seems the bluefin have moved on and I think everyone has finally given up trying.”

Mad River Steelhead Derby Starts Jan. 15
The Mad River winter steelhead run is just around the corner and with it comes the annual Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen Association’s (NCGASA) Mad River Steelhead Derby. The derby will start on January 15 and will run through February 29. Anglers will have two months to catch a big hatchery steelhead, with the three largest measured in both the adult and the youth divisions eligible to win cash and prizes. Adult division payouts: 1st place: $500; 2nd place: $300, 3rd place: $150. Youth division payouts (16 years and under): $150 RMI Outdoors gift card; 2nd place: $100 RMI gift card; 3rd place: $50 RMI gift card. All the youth winners will also receive donated fishing tackle from our sponsors. Anglers who sign up for the derby will be entered to win weekly raffle prizes starting on Jan. 1. Early bird sign-ups for the derby that come in before Jan. 1 are eligible to win two free tickets to the International Sportsmen’s Expo (ISE Show) in Sacramento (Jan. 18-21). New this year is a Winner Take All Raffle Package that includes a guided river trip for two, plus crazy amounts of fishing tackle and gear. This package is currently valued at $850. Raffle tickets are $50 and only 100 tickets will be sold. There are other raffles that include several guided ocean and river trips or you can win a two-night Airbnb country home stay, located minutes away from the Mad River. These trips and stay raffle tickets are $20. Sign up online at madriversteelheadderby.com or ncgasa.org.

The Rivers:
As of Thursday morning, all North Coast rivers subjected to low-flow fishing closures except the main stem Eel and Smith rivers, were closed to fishing. This includes the Mad, Smith, South Fork Eel, Redwood Creek and Van Duzen. 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. More information can be found here.

Mad
The Mad was closed as of Thursday, but with rain in the forecast, could open as early as the Saturday. Predicted to peak at just above 1,000 cfs Monday morning. Might be off color for a couple days. Minimum flows are 200 cfs to lift angling restrictions.

Main stem Eel
Flows were right around 450 cfs at Scotia Thursday morning, with small changes forecast for the weekend. Flows are predicted to rise starting Friday and predicted to peak Monday, but only rising to 875 cfs. There have been a few adult steelhead caught. Minimum flows are 350 cfs to lift angling restrictions.

South Fork Eel
Currently closed to fishing as flows were just above 50 cfs at Miranda. If the forecast holds, not enough rain will fall to open it up to fishing. Predicted to reach 170 cfs Monday. Minimum flows for 340 cfs to lift angling restrictions.

Van Duzen
Flows were just under 60 cfs on Thursday. If the rain falls as predicted, it could reach 300 cfs by Monday. May not open to fishing as it’s predicted to drop quickly. Minimum flows are 150 cfs to lift angling restrictions.

Smith
The Smith is low and clear, but that is about to change. With rain in the forecast beginning Thursday, the Smith will see a pretty good rise starting Friday night. If the rain falls as planned, flows could hit 12,700 cfs at Jed Smith by Monday morning. Conditions could be about perfect by Tuesday. As of Thursday morning, flows were 855 cfs on the Jed Smith gauge. Minimum flow: 600 cfs at the Jedediah Smith State Park gauging station.

Chetco/Elk/Sixes
The Chetco is about to go from low, clear conditions to being blown out for nearly a week as it transitions from salmon to steelhead reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The fall salmon spawn is in full swing, with sore tails and dark fish spread throughout the river,” said Martin.  “Plenty of salmon are in the system, but bright, fresh fish are few and far between. Steelhead season opens Dec. 1. A few adult steelhead have already been seen below spawning salmon, while half-pounders have arrived in the upper river. Flows are about to go from 700 cfs to 8,500 cfs or more. By next weekend, the river should be in prime shape for early steelhead fishing. The Elk and Sixes are low this week, but should fish late next week, with more fresh kings expected. Early December is still productive for salmon on the Elk and Sixes.”

Brookings rockfish update
“Lingcod and rockfish action has been decent out of Brookings on calm weather days, but a series of storms begin on Thursday,” said Martin. “Rough weather is expected all week.”

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.