With 130 miles of coastline, as well as a whole host of rivers and lakes, a Humboldt County fishing adventure rivals a hike in the area’s Redwood forest.With a variety of fresh, salt, and brackish waters to explore, anglers of all skill levels will find something here to whet their appetites – and their fishing lines.
Freshwater enthusiast? You can drift down the Trinity, Eel, Chetco, or Klamath Rivers, which are bustling with Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead, as well as huge Brown Trout. Although the Sacramento River technically lies just outside of Humboldt County, you’ll find plenty of guides here offering trips to this location. It's home to brackish waters, which means one thing: Striped Bass. For anglers looking for bragging rights, it’s well worth the journey.
If you want to try out some pure saltwater fishing, head to Humboldt Bay or the ocean beyond. Here, you’ll be able to hook into Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, and maybe even some Albacore Tuna., The coastal fishing season is generally open between May and November.
Local fishing guides generally run trips in four-, six-, and eight-hour chunks. If you’re new to fishing, or simply want to spend a lazy afternoon drifting down a river, a shorter trip will work wonders. For those who want to cover more ground, a longer trip is more suitable.
It’s pretty common for guides to follow the fish, during your trip. This means you can be flexible when choosing a launch site. Anderson and Weitchpec are popular freshwater spots, with Eureka being the favored saltwater location.
Rules & Regulations
Every angler 16 and over will need to purchase a valid California fishing license, even when fishing alongside a guide. You can get a standard California sportfishing license that covers fresh and saltwaters. Your fishing guide will make sure you’re equipped with fishing gear that’s suitable for the trip you choose.