Rockfish & Lingcod Fishing Trips | Northern California Charters
Book Now

Rockfish / Lingcod

[vc_row id=”chetcho” overlay_colour=”#f0f0f0″][vc_column width=”1/1″][bordered_divider divider_height=”3″ divider_width=”60″ margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ scroll_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]

Catch Tasty Bottom Dwellers on the Northern California Coast

Rockfish and lingcod fishing off Northern California’s rugged coastline is a must-do adventure for anglers of all experience levels. With their aggressive strikes and delicious fillets, these bottom dwellers offer non-stop action and a great reward at the end of the day.

Our guided trips focus on productive fishing grounds off the coast of Trinidad and Eureka, where we target a variety of colorful rockfish species and the fierce, toothy lingcod. These species are typically found in rocky structures and reef areas where we use baited rigs and jigs to entice strikes.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Rockfish / Lingcod: May 1 – December 31

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Purchase a California Fishing License” style=”gradient” gradient_color_1=”sky” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-hand-o-right” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwildlife.ca.gov%2FLicensing%2FFishing|||rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row id=”chetcho”][vc_column width=”1/2″][heading header_type=”h2″ header_weight=”bold”]Trip Details:[/heading][bordered_divider divider_height=”3″ divider_width=”125″ divider_align=”divider-border-left” margin_top=”10″ margin_bottom=”10″ scroll_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]

  • Season: Typically May through December (subject to CDFW regulations)

  • Departure Ports: Trinidad, Eureka, and surrounding areas

  • Trip Length: Available as half-day or full-day charters

  • Gear Provided: Yes – rods, tackle, and bait included

  • Licensing: California Ocean Fishing License required

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_colour=”#000000″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text text_color=”text-light”]

Why Book This Trip?

  • Great for beginners, families, and seasoned anglers alike

  • Consistent action and generous bag limits (within legal limits)

  • Opportunity to combine with crab or halibut trips during season

  • Expert local guide with years of coastal fishing experience

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_color=”text-light”]

What to Bring:

  • Valid fishing license

  • Weather-appropriate clothing and layers

  • Snacks, drinks, and a cooler for your catch

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row overlay_opacity=”0.8″ background_image=”2206″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text text_color=”text-light”]

Let’s Get You Hooked!

Ready to reel in a cooler full of rockfish and the mighty lingcod?

Book your trip today and enjoy a full day of saltwater adventure on the beautiful Northern California coast.

[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZyZXNvcy5nb2Zpc2gucm9ja3MlMkZib29raW5nLWVtYmVkJTJGMzAwMDMwMDAzMDAwMzAwMDMwMDAzMjAwMzAwMDM1MDAzMTAwMzkwMCUzRmlkJTNEMCUyMiUyMHdpZHRoJTNEJTIyNjQwJTIyJTIwaGVpZ2h0JTNEJTIyNDAwJTIyJTIwaWQlM0QlMjJnb2Zpc2hyb2Nrc19lbWJlZF8wJTIyJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJvdmVyZmxvdyUzQSUyMGhpZGRlbiUzQiUyMHdpZHRoJTNBJTIwMTAwJTI1JTNCJTIwYm9yZGVyJTNBJTIwMCUzQiUyMG91dGxpbmUlM0ElMjAwJTNCJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwd2luZG93LmFkZEV2ZW50TGlzdGVuZXIlMjglMjJtZXNzYWdlJTIyJTJDJTIwJTI4ZXZlbnQlMjklMjAlM0QlM0UlMjAlN0IlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBpZiUyMCUyOCUyMSU1QiUyMnJlc29zLmdvZmlzaC5yb2NrcyUyMiUyQyUyMCUyMmRldi1yZXNvcy5nb2Zpc2gucm9ja3MlMjIlMkMlMjAlMjJsb2NhbGhvc3QlMjIlNUQuaW5jbHVkZXMlMjhuZXclMjBVUkwlMjhldmVudC5vcmlnaW4lMjkuaG9zdG5hbWUlMjklMjklMjByZXR1cm4lM0IlMEElMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBsZXQlMjBtc2clMjAlM0QlMjAlMjhldmVudC5kYXRhJTIwJTJCJTIwJTIyJTIyJTI5LnNwbGl0JTI4JTI3JTdDJTI3JTI5JTJDJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaWQlMjAlM0QlMjBtc2clNUIwJTVEJTJDJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaCUyMCUzRCUyMHBhcnNlSW50JTI4bXNnJTVCMSU1RCUyOSUyQyUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMHR2YWwlMjAlM0QlMjBtc2clNUIyJTVEJTJDJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaWZyYW1lJTIwJTNEJTIwZG9jdW1lbnQuZ2V0RWxlbWVudEJ5SWQlMjglMjJnb2Zpc2hyb2Nrc19lbWJlZF8lMjIlMjAlMkIlMjBpZCUyOSUzQiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGlmJTIwJTI4JTIxaWZyYW1lJTI5JTIwcmV0dXJuJTNCJTBBJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaWYlMjAlMjhoJTIwJTNFJTIwMTAwJTI5JTIwJTdCJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaWZyYW1lLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodCUyMCUzRCUyMGglMjAlMkIlMjAlMjdweCUyNyUzQiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCU3RCUwQSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyRiUyRiUyMFJlbW92ZSUyMG9yJTIwY29tbWVudCUyMG91dCUyMHRoaXMlMjBzZWN0aW9uJTIwdG8lMjBwcmV2ZW50JTIwc2Nyb2xsJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTJGJTJBJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwaWYlMjAlMjh0dmFsJTIwJTNEJTNEJTNEJTIwJTIydG9wVG8lMjIlMjklMjAlN0IlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBpZnJhbWUuc2Nyb2xsSW50b1ZpZXclMjglMjklM0IlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlN0QlMjBlbHNlJTIwaWYlMjAlMjh0dmFsLnN1YnN0ciUyODAlMkMlMjAxJTI5JTIwJTNEJTNEJTIwJTIyaSUyMiUyOSUyMCU3QiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGxldCUyMGZyYW1lUG9zJTIwJTNEJTIwaWZyYW1lLmdldEJvdW5kaW5nQ2xpZW50UmVjdCUyOCUyOS50b3AlMjAlMkIlMjB3aW5kb3cuc2Nyb2xsWSUzQiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGxldCUyMG9mZnNldCUyMCUzRCUyMHBhcnNlRmxvYXQlMjh0dmFsLnN1YnN0ciUyODElMkMlMjB0dmFsLmxlbmd0aCUyMC0lMjAxJTI5JTI5JTIwJTdDJTdDJTIwMCUzQiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMHdpbmRvdy5zY3JvbGxUbyUyODAlMkMlMjBmcmFtZVBvcyUyMCUyQiUyMG9mZnNldCUyOSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCU3RCUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyQSUyRiUwQSUyMCUyMCU3RCUyQyUyMGZhbHNlJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBB[/vc_raw_html][vc_btn title=”Book Your Trip Now To Reserve Your Spot!” style=”gradient” gradient_color_1=”sky” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-hand-o-right” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lostcoastsportfishing.com%2Fcontact-us%2F|||rel:nofollow”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fishing Updates: Open Fishing Seasons - Halibut, Salmon, Crab

Book Now

The Mad River is one of the most popular bank angling rivers in California. It is located just outside of the town of Arcata off of Hwy 299. This river system is known for its Steelhead run. The fish that swim up the Mad River can range from 5lbs. to 20lbs. The average fish size in the Mad River is roughly 8-12lbs. With a hatchery in the town of Blue Lake, you have the opportunity to catch hatchery fish, which most rivers in Northern California don’t have! Your daily bag limit is 2 fish per day, but you can have some great days of wild and hatchery Steelhead.

In November the rains will blow open the mouth of the Mad River. A small run of King Salmon come up. In 2007, six stray Sockeye Salmon same up the river and sat at the Blue Lake Bridge. It’s hard to say where they came from. You will see small spurts of Steelhead in late-November and December. January fish start pouring into the river system. Weather permitting, the fishing is good into late-February. With March approaching you will start to see a lot of run back Steelhead.

These are Steelhead that have spawned and are heading back to the ocean. Unlike Salmon, Steelhead can do to and from the river multiple times. Once Salmon start staying in the rivers, they inevitably die.

Book Now

Latest River Flow

Mad River Map

View Google Map

Mad River
Arcata, US
2:25 pm, Jun 26, 2026
temperature icon 62°F
overcast clouds
Humidity: 94 %
Pressure: 1014 mb
Wind: 1 mph
Wind Gust: 1 mph
Clouds: 99%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:46 am
Sunset: 8:52 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
5:00 pm
temperature icon
62°/62°°F 0.95 mm 95% 3 mph 96% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 pm
temperature icon
58°/59°°F 1 mm 100% 4 mph 98% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
temperature icon
58°/58°°F 1 mm 100% 7 mph 99% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
57°/57°°F 0.3 mm 30% 7 mph 97% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 am
temperature icon
55°/55°°F 0.2 mm 20% 5 mph 96% 1015 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
temperature icon
57°/57°°F 0 mm 0% 4 mph 86% 1016 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
temperature icon
63°/63°°F 0.2 mm 20% 9 mph 61% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
temperature icon
64°/64°°F 0 mm 0% 11 mph 57% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
Weather from OpenWeatherMap

The largest tributary to the Klamath, the Trinity starts at the confluence of the Klamath in Wichipek just off of Hwy 96. It winds along Hwy 299 till it reaches the outflow of the Lewistan dam. With the efforts of the Trinity River Restoration program, this river has a very bright future. Don’t get me wrong, the Trinity is one of the best fisheries in the state, but with the help of this program and the millions of dollars that are being poured into the preservation and restoration of this river, it won’t be long till it becomes one of the top fishing destinations on the West Coast. The Trinity River is one of the few rivers on the West Coast that has Steelhead in the system all year round.

The Trinity River has many small runs all year round. The largest runs are in the Fall and Winter. The Fall run will start around early-to-mid-September. The peak of the Fall run is in early-October. You can put together good days through late-October. Once the rains come, you will have a slow time from November to early-January. Once January comes, you have Winter Steelhead fishing through mid-March.

Book Now

Latest River Flow

trinity

View Google Map

Trinity River
Willow Creek, US
2:25 pm, Jun 26, 2026
temperature icon 72°F
overcast clouds
Humidity: 68 %
Pressure: 1012 mb
Wind: 6 mph
Wind Gust: 6 mph
Clouds: 96%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:44 am
Sunset: 8:50 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
5:00 pm
temperature icon
66°/70°°F 0.91 mm 91% 5 mph 77% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 pm
temperature icon
58°/62°°F 0.29 mm 29% 3 mph 88% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
temperature icon
59°/59°°F 0.54 mm 54% 3 mph 99% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
57°/57°°F 1 mm 100% 4 mph 99% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 am
temperature icon
55°/55°°F 0.94 mm 94% 4 mph 99% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
temperature icon
57°/57°°F 0.2 mm 20% 4 mph 98% 1015 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
temperature icon
64°/64°°F 0.21 mm 21% 5 mph 64% 1015 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
temperature icon
70°/70°°F 0 mm 0% 9 mph 39% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
Weather from OpenWeatherMap

Located on the California and Oregon border, the Smith River has the reputation for producing some of the largest Salmon and Steelhead in California and Oregon. The river itself is the only undammed, undiverted river in the State of California. Its headwaters come from undeveloped wild country. The river is a fast moving, crystal clear system that offers some spectacular scenery.

The fishing season for the Smith kicks off with the big rains in late-October or early-November. Massive King Salmon, accompanied by Searun Cutthroat and the occasional Silver Salmon come flooding into the river system. The Salmon season on the Smith starts to slow down around Thanksgiving.

December is the transitional stage between lingering Salmon and the beginning of Steelhead season. Once January arrives, the Smith is in full swing for Winter Steelhead. Generally the Steelhead season on the Smith River will last into the early March.

Book Now

Latest River Flow

smith

View Google Map

Smith River
Gasquet, US
2:25 pm, Jun 26, 2026
temperature icon 60°F
overcast clouds
Humidity: 90 %
Pressure: 1013 mb
Wind: 3 mph
Wind Gust: 8 mph
Clouds: 100%
Visibility: 0.079 km
Sunrise: 5:42 am
Sunset: 8:54 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
5:00 pm
temperature icon
60°/61°°F 1 mm 100% 3 mph 94% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 pm
temperature icon
60°/60°°F 1 mm 100% 3 mph 96% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
temperature icon
60°/60°°F 1 mm 100% 3 mph 100% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
56°/56°°F 0.36 mm 36% 3 mph 100% 1014 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 am
temperature icon
52°/52°°F 0.2 mm 20% 1 mph 100% 1015 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
temperature icon
52°/52°°F 0.2 mm 20% 1 mph 91% 1016 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
temperature icon
64°/64°°F 0.2 mm 20% 6 mph 53% 1016 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
temperature icon
65°/65°°F 0 mm 0% 6 mph 56% 1017 mb 0 mm/h
Weather from OpenWeatherMap

The second largest river system in California, the Klamath River flows the entire State from East to West. From its origin in the mountains above Klamath Falls, Oregon to the Pacific Ocean, it spans a distance of 263 miles of some of the most rugged terrain California and Oregon has to offer. With the removal of 3 dams scheduled for 2016, the Klamath River’s future looks very promising. With the removal of these dams, it should encourage and help the fish population grow dramatically. It will open hundreds of miles of long lost spawning habitat that has been inhibited by these none fish passage dams.

Having a large volume of water flow all year round makes this river very special. The Spring brings warm weather and solid spring showers. The snow in the Trinity Alps and surrounding mountains starts to melt and in turn the CFS (cubic feet per second) starts to raise the river from its steady Winter levels. Around early-May the Spring Chinook (King Salmon) start running up the river.

This special run of King Salmon is short-lived and will last into early-June at the latest. Through June and into mid-July is the dormant time of the river. Around late July the summer run of Steelhead start to show up. When it reaches late-August to early-September, the Klamath is in its peak of fishing. You have the luxury of catching Steelhead and Salmon in the same day, even in the same riffles. This run will last through September and into October.

Book Now

Latest River Flow

klamath river map

View Google Map

Klamath River
Fort Jones, US
2:25 pm, Jun 26, 2026
temperature icon 66°F
broken clouds
Humidity: 44 %
Pressure: 1008 mb
Wind: 10 mph
Wind Gust: 12 mph
Clouds: 52%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:38 am
Sunset: 8:49 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
5:00 pm
temperature icon
68°/70°°F 0 mm 0% 12 mph 39% 1008 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 pm
temperature icon
62°/63°°F 0 mm 0% 9 mph 49% 1009 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 pm
temperature icon
51°/51°°F 0 mm 0% 5 mph 94% 1011 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 am
temperature icon
48°/48°°F 0 mm 0% 4 mph 91% 1011 mb 0 mm/h
5:00 am
temperature icon
47°/47°°F 0.01 mm 1% 4 mph 95% 1011 mb 0 mm/h
8:00 am
temperature icon
52°/52°°F 0.28 mm 28% 5 mph 69% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
11:00 am
temperature icon
64°/64°°F 0.01 mm 1% 7 mph 29% 1011 mb 0 mm/h
2:00 pm
temperature icon
66°/66°°F 0 mm 0% 12 mph 21% 1010 mb 0 mm/h
Weather from OpenWeatherMap

The Chetco River is located North of the Smith River in the heart of Brookings, OR. This river system virtually derives out of the same watershed as the Smith River. The Chetco River is a low gradient system that has some of the best main stem spawning habitat for Salmon and Steelhead. After a big rain, when the river drops down and come into shape, it has a beautiful turquoise glowing green color.

Like most of the coastal rivers, the Salmon season starts with the rain in the Fall. Unlike the Smith River, when the river levels rise with the first big rains in the Fall, Steelhead will start to trickle in with the big push of Salmon. Most people will not target the Steelhead at this time of year, but you can put together some good numbers of early run Steelhead. The Salmon season on the Chetco River is about the same timeframe as on the Smith. Steelhead season starts fairly fast on the Chetco River in late-December.

It generally will peak in early January with some large mid-teen to twenty pound class of Steelhead mixed in. The Steelhead run will slow down to a steady trickle throughout the Winter, but you still get good spurts of fish coming through the system into March.

Book Now

Latest River Flow

chetco

View Google Map

Chetco River
Brookings, US
4:25 pm, Jun 26, 2026
temperature icon 72°F
broken clouds
Humidity: 70 %
Pressure: 1013 mb
Wind: 11 mph
Wind Gust: 14 mph
Clouds: 75%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:44 am
Sunset: 9:15 pm
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Rain Chance
  • Wind
  • Humidity
  • Pressure
7:00 pm
temperature icon
74°/76°°F 0.2 mm 20% 10 mph 66% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
10:00 pm
temperature icon
71°/72°°F 0 mm 0% 14 mph 66% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
1:00 am
temperature icon
64°/64°°F 0 mm 0% 13 mph 82% 1013 mb 0 mm/h
4:00 am
temperature icon
62°/62°°F 0 mm 0% 12 mph 97% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
7:00 am
temperature icon
62°/62°°F 0 mm 0% 14 mph 95% 1012 mb 0 mm/h
10:00 am
temperature icon
70°/70°°F 0 mm 0% 18 mph 76% 1010 mb 0 mm/h
1:00 pm
temperature icon
77°/77°°F 0 mm 0% 20 mph 58% 1008 mb 0 mm/h
4:00 pm
temperature icon
80°/80°°F 0 mm 0% 20 mph 64% 1008 mb 0 mm/h
Weather from OpenWeatherMap