Mad River Fish Report - Mad River - The Mad is high and off color, sitting at just over 9 feet on Thursday

The Mad is high and off color, sitting at just over 9 feet on Thursday

Mad River - Arcata, CA

by Kenny Priest
12-18-2025
Website

The Mad is high and off color, sitting at just over 9 feet on Thursday. With more rain in the forecast, it will likely remain that way through all next week and weekend. The likelihood of seeing green water is slim between now and the new year. Once the flows do recede, we should be off and running on the steelhead season.

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More Reports

Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports

for Thursday, December 11th

Mad River: The Mad remains closed, but changes are on the way
Eel River: The main Eel remains open, but is now under 700 cfs as of Thursday
Eel River - South Fork: The South Fork Eel remains closed to fishing, but some much-needed water is on the way
Van Duzen River: The Van Duzen is currently closed due to low flows, but that will soon change
Smith River: The Smith remains open as of Thursday, but is low and clear with very little fishing pressure
Chetco River: Salmon fishing has been slow on the Chetco, Elk and Sixes with prolonged low water reports

Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports

for Thursday, December 4th

Mad River: The Mad was closed as of last week and looks to remain closed throughout the weekend
Eel River: The main Eel remains open, but is getting low and clear
Eel River - South Fork: The South Fork Eel was closed as of last week and looks to remain closed throughout the weekend
Van Duzen River: The Van Duzen has been closed since last week and will likely remain closed through next week
Smith River: The Smith remains open, but is low and clear with very little fishing pressure
Chetco River: Low, clear water has stalled late-season salmon fishing on the Elk, Sixes and Chetco