The much-anticipated rockfish and Pacific halibut seasons kicked off last Wednesday, but rough ocean conditions kept most boats at the dock. Fortunately, the weather window didn’t last long, and by Friday — and through the weekend — anglers were back on the water. Since then, conditions have lined up nicely, giving boats across all ports a solid stretch of fishable days.

Out of Eureka, the rockfish bite has been excellent off Cape Mendocino, with limits coming easy. The lingcod bite has been just as strong, and the Pacific halibut showing up this early has been a welcome surprise. April halibut aren’t the norm, especially with fish typically holding deeper early in the season, but the early bite is definitely a good sign.

Up in Crescent City, where anglers didn’t have to deal with a bar crossing and conditions were a bit more forgiving, boats found quick limits of rockfish and lingcod at the usual spots. There hasn’t been much halibut effort yet, but at least one fish made it over the rail during the opener weekend.

Down in Shelter Cove, Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing reported a solid start to the season. “The rockfish bite has been good, while lingcod have been a bit tougher and halibut action on the slow side,” said Mitchell. “Still, with decent weather, boats have been able to spread out from Bear Harbor to Punta Gorda, all seeing fairly similar results.”

Weekend marine forecast
Ocean conditions have been great all week, and it doesn’t look like it will change much this weekend, except for a couple days of south wind and rain. Friday is calling for south winds 10 to 15 knots and northwest waves 3 feet at nine seconds and south 1 foot at 12 seconds. Saturday looks a little better, with winds out of the south 5 to 10 knots with southwest waves 3 feet at five seconds and northwest 3 feet at nine seconds. The wind will switch Sunday, coming out of the north 5 to 10 knots. Waves will be from the southwest 3 feet at eight seconds and west 5 feet at 10 seconds. 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.

These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or https://www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

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

Perchin’ on the Peninsula coming April 18
The Samoa Peninsula Fire District will be holding their Annual Perchin’ on the Peninsula Surfperch Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry/Oyster BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18 at the Peninsula Elementary School, 909 Vance Ave, Samoa. The fish fry fundraiser is open to the public and admission is only $15 for adults and $10 for juniors for just the fish fry. Adult fishing tournament entry is $25 and junior entry (15 and under) is $15. Fish fry lunch is included with tournament entry. Lunch begins at noon, weigh-ins end at 2 p.m.

Tournament day registration is available at the Peninsula Elementary School, cutoff is 7 a.m. Entries can be purchased at Grundman’s, Pacific Outfitters, Englund Marine, Ace Hardware in Fortuna, A&L Feed in McKinleyville, or Ken’s Auto in Arcata. Tournament rules are available at all sign-up locations. For more information, text (707) 599-5412 or visit SPFD Facebook page. All proceeds are a direct donation to the Samoa Peninsula Fire District.

Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake May 2nd
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday May 2nd at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Lake Marina and Journey’s End between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The tournament starts Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. with live well checks. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 6 a.m. or at first safe light. $150 fee and a $20 Big Fish option. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr., 707-223-3858.

RMI Outdoors fishing contest
RMI Outdoors of Eureka is holding their annual Screamin’ Reels fishing contest starting May 1 and running through Sept. 7. To enter, take a picture with your fish and like the RMI Facebook and Instagram pages. Message RMI through Facebook or email your picture to rmi@rmioutdoorseureka.com. There are two categories, youth and adult youth. The winner of each category will win a fishing rod. Visit rmioutdoorseureka.com/tackle for more information.

The Rivers
Reminder: The Eel River, from its confluence with the SF Eel River upstream to Cape Horn Dam, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mattole, Mad, Redwood Creek and the Chetco all closed to fishing March 31.