Welcome to NCGASA.org’s annual Steelhead Derby on the Mad River in Blue Lake, CA. A hatchery steelhead fishing contest during the winter steelhead season from Jan. 1 to March 31. All anglers who submit entries are eligible to win cash and prizes from our sponsors and partners. Please read the RULES carefully before submitting your entries.
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2021 Derby Leaderboard
• Click Here for the Derby Rules on how to enter your fish before submitting. Do not submit before you are sure you took the required photos. All fish measurements and submissions are subject to review. All winning fish entries are subject to a final review. Measurements are based on submitted photographic evidence and ifContinue reading “2021 Derby Leaderboard”

What is steelhead circuli? Hatchery raised traits
What are the physical traits to look for in a hatchery raised steelhead when you’re out fishing on the Mad River? For angling and harvest: A steelhead that has been caught needs to have 75% or more of an adipose fin missing, even if the fish has obvious fin erosion according to California Department ofContinue reading “What is steelhead circuli? Hatchery raised traits”

How to tell wild steelhead from hatchery steelhead
November 14, 2019 By JD Richey Hatchery Steelhead Hatchery steelhead will be missing their adipose fin, which is the small fleshy one on the back between the dorsal fin and tail. You’ll sometimes encounter a fish that’s a “tweener” — one that has a partial adipose fin. While this can occur in the wild (rare), it isContinue reading “How to tell wild steelhead from hatchery steelhead”
