UTERSteelhead fishing in Northern California Coast
In Northern California Coast, steelhead peak December–February and are around November–March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter fish in the tidewater and lower holes of the Smith, Eel and Klamath after a rain drops and greens up.
Not in Northern California Coast this month.
Steelhead in Northern California Coast, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter fish in the tidewater and lower holes of the Smith, Eel and Klamath after a rain drops and greens up.
- FebruaryPeakPeak winter-run; Smith River giants. The river itself is fresh water — this is the lower river and lagoon fishing.
- MarchLeavingLate fish and downstream kelts.
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberArrivingFirst winter fish enter after the first big rain.
- DecemberPeakWinter steelhead in the lower rivers — drift roe or a jig under a float.
Where to fish steelhead near Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove
An exposed, wild coast of rocky headlands, pinnacles and a few harbors — Bodega, Noyo, Shelter Cove, Humboldt Bay, Crescent City — with the Eel, Klamath and Smith rivers coming out through sand bars.
Fish Scouter charts 21 lake spots in the The North Coast map area — the kinds steelhead hold on.
What to use for steelhead
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Ghost shrimpThreaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 38–62°F water, best at 44–56°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch steelhead in Northern California Coast?
Peak season is December–February. Steelhead are in Northern California Coast November–March. January: Winter fish in the tidewater and lower holes of the Smith, Eel and Klamath after a rain drops and greens up.
Where do steelhead hold in Northern California Coast?
Look on river, pass / inlet, channel edge, beach / surf — around Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove, Eureka, Trinidad, Crescent City.
What is the best bait for steelhead in Northern California Coast?
Live bait: salmon eggs (roe), nightcrawlers, ghost shrimp. Salmon eggs (roe): A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for steelhead in Northern California Coast?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and change — read the current rule at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing.
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All about steelhead · The North Coast, the whole year