Mad River

Fred Contaoi from Douglas Rods lands a Mad River Steelhead
Featured Post

When does the Mad River fish

The Mad will start to fish at 8 feet or approximately 1,500 cfs near Arcata. 7.5 to 7 feet is ideal for bait. The Mad is subject to low flow closures at 200 cfs. Call CA Dept. Fish & Wildlife hotline: (707) 822-3164 for when the river is open or closed. CDFW will update this voice mail three times a week.

The Mad River is the most accessible for bank fishermen/women from Blue Lake to Arcata, CA. The river has many access spots or holes and is perfect for all skill levels. See the maps below for river access for bank fishermen. Visit Fishing the North Coast for weekly fishing & river reports.

Follow the Mad River Steelhead Derby on Facebook or Instagram to see current river color photos.

Read more about the broodstock program on the Mad River, click here.

• Click Here for the CDFW Fishing Map
(Search for the town of Blue Lake, CA to see satellite view of the Mad River

Latest Posts

2023 Youth Winner — Uriah

Mad River Steelhead Derby 2023 Youth Division winner Uriah Gaethle (14 years old) of Glendale / Blue Lake cleaned up at RMI Outdoors in Eureka on Sunday, March 5 where he was presented with an Addicted Fishing duffle bag full of fishing lures and a ocean rod and reel. Justin Kelly from RMI Outdoors (left)…

2023 Derby Entries / Winners

All fish measurements are subject to review. Measurements are based on submitted photographic evidence, where the middle or fork of the tail lands on the ruler and if the angler followed the Derby Rules. Please read the rules before submitting your entries. Potential winning entries are subject to a final review by NCGASA reps. View…

Help us save our fisheries and hunting grounds

NCGASA’s Annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction was on Nov. 5, 2022 NCGASA.org gave away 100+ Guns, 75+ Guided Trips and 5+ Lifetime Fishing & Hunting Licenses and all kinds of other prizes and gear in order to raise money for the nonprofit organization that lobbies on outdoorsmen’s behalf. We fight year round for everyone’s hunting and fishing…

2022 Derby Leaderboard

All fish measurements and submissions are subject to review. Measurements are based on submitted photographic or video evidence and if the angler followed the Derby Rules. Adult Division: Potential winning entries are subject to a final review by NCGASA reps. Payouts will be determined by NCGASA reps after the final reviews are done.1) Jim Paul…

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