Break in the Weather Coming Friday

After a couple decent days of fishing following the May 1 Pacific halibut opener, the Eureka fleet has been tied up since. But better conditions are on the horizon. Friday and Saturday are shaping up nicely, which could allow boats to explore some different spots. Conditions should be good enough to permit boats to hit Cape Mendocino for rockfish as well.

The windy weather is pretty typical for this time of the year on the coast. “We usually lose about half of May and June due to the wind, so this isn’t surprising,” said Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “It looks like now we’ll get a couple days in, so hopefully we can look around a little to find some larger schools of halibut. The fishing hasn’t been red-hot, but we have a very small sample size with only a couple days on the water.”

Weekend marine forecast
Ocean conditions will finally improve Friday, giving boats a couple days on the water before the winds return Sunday. Friday, north winds will be 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday’s forecast is calling for northwest winds 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at eight seconds. Winds will begin to increase Sunday, coming out of the north 5 to 15 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at seven seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit https://www.weather.gov/eka/ or https://www.windy.com/. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

USCG Captains Course offered in Eureka
The USCG Master 100ton/OUPV course will be held here in Humboldt Bay from June 17-28. Hosted by the City of Eureka, tuition for 15 students will be fully funded by Vineyard and RWE. Information on requirements and a link to the course registration are can be found here. You will need to reserve your seat with a deposit.

Fish and Game Commission meeting coming May 15
The California Fish and Game Commission meeting will be live streamed on Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Visit https://fgc.ca.gov/ the day of the meeting to watch or listen. To provide public comment during the meeting, please join via Zoom, by telephone, or at an in-person location. For complete instructions on how to join via Zoom or telephone, click here. Locally, you can participate at the Trinidad Rancheria, Tribal Council Chambers 1, Cher-Ae Lane in Trinidad.

On the agenda, the commission will consider emergency closures of sport fishing in Klamath River Basin for spring Chinook salmon. Closures for fall Chinook fisheries in the Klamath River basin and the Central Valley will also be discussed.

A complete agenda and comment submission, and viewing information, can be found here.

Kids free fishing derbies
On Saturday, May 18, 2024 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 noon. 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 18, 2023, all kids age 4 to 15 are invited to the Carrville Dredger Pond for the 50th 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.

Crescent City
There hasn’t been much effort this past week due to windy conditions, reports Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “When the boats were able to get out, the rock fishing was excellent. The Sisters and the lighthouse, within the 20-fathom line, were both top spots. There hasn’t been any halibut caught as of yet, but that should change when the conditions get better.”

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, it’s been a windy week at the Cove. He said, “We were able to make it up to Rogers Break Sunday, and the rock fishing was great. We were also able to scratch up a couple halibut as well. Looks like the ocean will improve the next few days.”

Lower Rogue
“Spring salmon fishing has slowed on the Rogue, but nice kings are being caught,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Hatchery fish continue to move in. Last weekend’s rain could result in good fishing later this week.” 

Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, the Pacific halibut fishing is slow out of Brookings, in part because of windy weather offshore. “Lingcod and rockfish action continues to be good, along with beach fishing for surfperch. Nice weather is expected this weekend. Salmon are being caught and released during bottom fish trips, and pelicans have arrived in large numbers to feed on anchovies, good signs for the May 16 ocean king opener in Southern Oregon.”

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.