Winter steelhead season is shaping up to end on a much drier note than it began back in January. The forecast is calling for dry weather through March 31, when most rivers close. However, a late-season storm is brewing that could drop 3 to 6 inches of rain on the main stem Eel and the Smith — two rivers that will remain open after April 1.

Any meaningful rain this time of year is a big plus. It should improve survival rates for spawned-out adult steelhead (kelts), as well as salmon and steelhead fry and smolts migrating downstream toward the estuaries and ocean. And of course, it could also set up some solid fishing conditions.

As of Thursday, the Mad and main stem Eel are the only rivers in fishable shape. The rest are low, clear, and likely seeing very little pressure.

Looking back, this season was defined by a couple of well-timed storms mixed with long dry stretches in between. Fishing was excellent across much of the region, with some quality fish in the mix. With the 2022 drought now several years behind us, steelhead numbers should continue trending upward.

As one season winds down, the next is right around the corner. Rockfish and Pacific halibut open April 1, California halibut should start showing in Humboldt Bay, and spring salmon on the lower Rogue isn’t far off. Beaches are producing redtails, and the lagoons are still full of trout.

It’s been a great steelhead season—but a change of scenery sounds pretty good right about now.

The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, “dry and stable weather is expected for the remainder of this week into the weekend. Generally, above normal high temperatures and areas of minor heat risk are forecast for mostly the interior as a broad flat ridge aloft dominates. Longer range models and national blend of models continue to trend wetter and colder next week, Monday March 30 to Friday, April 3rd. Higher end scenario (90th percentile) suggests multiple inches of rain (> 2 to 5 inches) spread out over 3-days while a lower end scenario (10th percentile) would yield an inch or less over the same 3-days.”

Rockfish and Pacific halibut seasons set to open April 1
The statewide 2026 rockfish season will officially kickoff on Wednesday, April 1, and it will be open all depths through Dec. 31. And that’s no April Fool’s joke. (exception will be the Southern Management Zone where all depths are open through June 30.) The daily bag limit will be 10 fish per person within the RCG complex, which includes all species of Rockfish, Cabezon, and Greenlings. The lingcod limit is 2 per person per day, with a 22-inch total length. Within your daily bag limit, only one Copper rockfish, 4 Vermilion (northern mgmt. area) and 2 Canary rockfish are allowed.

A descending device is required. No one may take or possess any federal groundfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without a descending device in possession.

These rockfishes may not be taken or possessed in California – No retention at any time:
Bronzespotted rockfish, Cowcod, Quillback, and Yelloweye

For a complete list of regulations, visit Summary of Recreational Groundfish Fishing Regulations.

Pacific halibut
The 2026 recreational Pacific halibut fishery opens April 1. In the area north of Point Arena, the fishery is open until November 15. In the area south of Point Arena, the fishery is open through December 31. The daily bag and possession limit for Pacific halibut is one fish. There is no minimum size limit. When angling, no more than one line with two hooks attached may be used. A harpoon, gaff, or net may be used to assist in taking a Pacific halibut that has been legally caught by angling. More information can be found on CDFW’s Pacific halibut page.

Steelhead rivers openings/closures
After Tuesday, March 31, the South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek, Mattole and Chetco rivers will all be closed to fishing.

The main stem Eel, from its mouth to the South Fork, is open to fishing all year.
From the mouth to Fulmor Road, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used from April 1 through Friday, May 22, 2026. Only barbless hooks may be used from May 23 through Mar. 31, 2027.
From Fulmor Road to the South Fork, it’s open all year. From April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Only barbless hooks may be used from Oct. 1 through Mar. 31, 2027.

The main stem of the Smith will remain open through the end of April from its mouth to the confluence with the Middle and South forks. The Middle Fork will also remain open through April from its mouth to Patrick’s Creek.
The South Fork is open through April as well, from its mouth upstream approximately 1,000 feet to the County Road (George Tryon) bridge and Craig’s Creek to Jones Creek. Only barbless hooks may be used from Sept. 1 through Apr. 30. The bag limit remains the same at two hatchery steelhead per day.

Sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers are open to fishing but are subject to in-season changes. More information can be found here.

Upcoming salmon meetings
April 7-12: PFMC April Meeting in Portland, OR. The Council will adopt final regulatory measures for analysis by the STT. Final adoption of recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service will also occur and is tentatively scheduled for April 12.
Preseason Report III: Council-Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late April at www.pcouncil.org

April 15-16: CDFW Commission Meeting in Sacramento, CA. The Commission will receive an update on ocean salmon sport fishery regulations in effect in 2026. The public may address and/or ask questions of the Commission relating to the implementation of its policies or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Agenda and audio available online at https://fgc.ca.gov/Meetings/2026

The Rivers:
Mad
According to Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors, fishing has been good for those still out there. He said, “A good number of fresh fish are still moving through, along with a lot of downers. Most of the fish are wild, but there’s a few clipped fish mixed in as well. Spinners, soft beads, and Mad River steelhead worm have all been working well.”

Main stem Eel
The main Eel is in great shape, running at just under 3,000 cfs at Scotia as of Thursday. Boat pressure has been light, and boats are getting a chance at a few fish each day. There’s still a smattering of fresh ones coming, but most fish landed have been downers. The main stem Eel, from its mouth to the South Fork, is open to fishing all year. From April 1 through Sept. 30, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.

South Fork Eel
The South Fork has dipped under 900 cfs at Miranda and is starting to get low and clear. At this height, the spots holding fish are limited. Most boats have either called it a season or moved down to the main stem.

Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is closed to fishing as of March 17 due to low flows from its junction with the Eel River to the end of Golden Gate Drive near Bridgeville (approximately 4,000 feet upstream from the Little Golden Gate Bridge).

Smith
The Smith is just above 6 feet at the Jed Smith gauge as of Thursday. It’s low, clear, and snaggy. Reports have been hard to come by as most anglers have moved to other rivers or called it a season.

Southern Oregon rivers
The Chetco closes for the season on Tuesday reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Fishing has been slow, on what overall was a fairly good steelhead run,” said Martin. “Spring salmon fishing is slow on the Rogue, but catch rates generally improve in April.”

Brookings ocean report
According to Martin, salmon fishing continues to be surprisingly good out of Brookings, with an overall average of a fish per rod, and may boats getting their two-kings-per-person limit. “There are a mix of feeder kings and larger springer-size salmon. The fish are high in the water column, with good catches between the buoys and in 100 feet of water between Chetco Point and Bird Island. Lots of bait is also being observed offshore, but crab pots are still making trolling difficult there. Many of the kings are hatchery fish. Still too early on reports of where those fish originated. 
Lingcod and rockfish action is good on calm weather days. This weekend looks prime. Sport crabbing remains slow.”