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Fishing |
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Fishing |
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The south fork of the Eel River flows through magnificent stands of redwoods in
Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The river received its name, not from its meandering course,
but from the lamprey (mistakenly called "eel") that frequent these waters during
their spawning cycle.
Fishing on the river is mainly a winter sport, normally starting after the first rains in October and continuing through March. Salmon and steelhead are catchable in the river in the fall and winter. Regulations should be checked for exact dates and gear restrictions. (By calling (707)442-4502) |
| During the summer months, the mouth of the river is partially blocked by a bar of
deposited silt. It is not until the first rains have increased the water flow enough to
carve a channel through this bar that the larger fish are able to return from the sea. The
principal game fish caught during the fall and winter seasons are salmon and steelhead.
Both are anadromous fish, a term meaning "up-running" and referring to fish
which spend part of their lives in the ocean but return to fresh water to spawn. During summer, the river is open to fishing for squawfish. Squawfish are fun to catch and are edible, but boney. They are non-native fish that prey upon juvenile salmon and steelhead. |
| Useful Fishing Links (Links checked on November 30, 2005) |
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| Fishing Regulations | DFG Fishing regulations |
| North Coast Fishing Information | http://www.northcoastweb.com/fishing/ |
| Current river flow: | |
| Dept. of Fish and Game Fishing Information (Call to find out if the river is open for fishing.) | (707) 442-4502 |
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This web site provided by Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association You can help support the work of the H.R.I.A. (Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association) by becoming a member. Funds raised through memberships, endowments, and donations enable H.R.I.A. to develop displays, purchase equipment, sponsor research, publish interpretive literature, and also to fund the expansion of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center and its quality exhibits. A critical element in the success of the Association is its membership and endowment program. Individuals and families throughout the country have long supported the Association. |
Page updated: November 25, 2006