Fishing the North Coast

King Count Remains Low on the Klamath

By Kenny Priest

fishing@northcoastjournal.com

The Pacifi c Fishery Management Council released its “Review of 2021 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” report last week and the news wasn’t great for salmon anglers, though the numbers are trending upward. In 2021, 53,954 adult Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) were estimated to have returned from the ocean compared to the preseason prediction of 62,121. Jack returns to the Klamath basin were 10,334 fi sh. In 2020, 45,409 adults returned along with 9,077 jacks.

Returns to the Iron Gate and Trinity hatcheries increased in 2021, as well. A total of 12,850 adults returned to the two hatcheries this fall, while in 2020 only 8,331 returned. Spawning escapement to the upper Klamath River tributaries (Salmon, Scott and Shasta rivers), where spawning was only minimally a ected by hatchery strays, totaled 9,169 compared to 5,559 in 2020. The escapement in 2021 to the Shasta River was 5,972 adults. Escapement to the Salmon and Scott rivers was 1,890 and 1,307 adults, respectively.

According to the report, an estimated 2,265 fall Chinook adults were harvested in the Klamath Basin recreational fi shery, which was well over the 1,221 quota.

“The age composition of this year’s in-river run (adults and jacks) will be used to estimate current ocean abundance and will determine the number of fi sh available for harvest in 2022,” said Wade Sinnen, senior environmental scientist on the Klamath and Trinity rivers. “There are a variety of factors that determine available harvest, including current ESA constraints in ocean and in-river fi sheries. However, based on this year’s age composition, I suspect that fi shing opportunity on adult fall Chinook salmon of Klamath origin will be similar to last year. Klamath fall Chinook stocks remain in ‘overfi shed’ status per federal guidelines.”

Next up is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual Salmon Information Meeting via webinar on March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public meeting will feature the outlook for this year’s sport and commercial ocean salmon fi sheries, in addition to a review of last year’s salmon fi sheries and spawning escapement.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on potential fi shing seasons to a panel of fi shery managers, scientists and industry representatives who will be directly involved in the upcoming Pacifi c Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meetings in March and April. For more information, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/News/cdfw-tohost-virtual-public-meeting-on-oceansalmon-fi sheries2#.

The weather ahead

According to Doug Boushey of Eureka’s National Weather Service, following the system that moved through Tuesday, the rest of the week looks dry. “The next chance of rain is in the latter part of the weekend,” Boushey said. “There’s a slight chance on Saturday, mostly in Del Norte, with rain likely Sunday. The next chance for signifi cant rain will be Tuesday.”

River Closures

The South Fork Eel, Middle Fork Eel, Mattole and Redwood Creek are currently closed to fi shing due to low fl ows. The South Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Rattlesnake Creek. The Middle Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Bar Creek. The Mattole is closed to fi shing from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Redwood Creek is closed from its mouth to the confl uence with Bond Creek.

The Rivers:

Kaden O’Brian from Trinidad holds a Klamath River Chinook salmon from last fall. Fishing opportunities in 2022 for fallrun salmon on the Klamath will likely be similar to last year.

Photo courtesy of Alan’s Guide Service

Main stem Eel

As of Tuesday, fl ows were right around 1,800 cfs after rising slightly overnight. The water is low and clear and the fi shing continues to be inconsistent. The few boats still fi shing are getting anywhere from zero to three fi sh per day. Most of the fi sh being caught are bright. Minimum fl ow is 350 cfs at Scotia.

Van Duzen

The Van Duzen opened back up to fi shing following Monday’s rain. Flows as of Tuesday were 164 cfs and dropping. With dry conditions forecast the rest of the week, it could close prior to the weekend. Minimum fl ow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek.

Read the complete fi shing roundup at www.northcoastj ournal.com.

Mad

Plenty of steelhead are still being caught on the Mad despite the low water. The fi sh are holding in the holes and slots, which still have decent color. As of Tuesday, fl ows were 237 cubic feet per second, having come up overnight. Minimum fl ow is 200 cubic feet per second at State Route 299 bridge. Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fi shing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fi shingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fi shing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@ fi shingthenorthcoast.com.

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