Low Flow Fishing Regulations

Open and Closed Waters by Low Flow District

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the low flow regulations and their purpose?

Low flow regulations close fishing during certain times of year when low stream flow conditions can result in restricted migration and increase the potential for stress and mortality to salmon and steelhead. These regulations minimize impacts to salmon and steelhead while they face challenging environmental conditions.

When are the low flow regulations effective?

It is location dependent. For Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties, the low flow regulations are effective from September 1 through April 30, and they are updated on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties, the low flow regulations are effective from December 1 through March 7, and they are updated Tuesday and Friday.

What areas are subject to low flow regulations?

Low flow regulations apply to several anadromous waters throughout California, including rivers and streams from Del Norte County to Monterey County (see map). Please reference the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations Title 14 C.C.R. § 8.00 for detailed information on all waters subject to low flow regulations.

How are stream closures determined according to the low flow regulations?

Each stream has a specific minimum flow that is required to open the stream to fishing (see table below). When flows are predicted to decrease below the threshold, streams are closed to fishing. Please reference the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations Title 14 C.C.R. § 7.40 for the Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations.

Water Minimum Flow
Eel River 350 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11477000 on the Eel River at Scotia, CA.
South Fork Eel River, Middle Fork Eel River 340 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11476500 on the South Fork Eek River near Miranda, CA.
Van Duzen River 150 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11478500 on the Van Duzen River near Bridgeville, CA.
Mad River 200 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11481000 on the Mad River near Arcata, CA.
Mattole River 320 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11469000 on the Mattole River near Petrolia, CA.
Redwood Creek 300 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11482500 on the Redwood Creek at Orick, CA.
Smith River 600 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11532500 on the Smith River near Crescent City, CA.
Albion River, Alder Creek, Big River, Brush Creek, Cottaneva Creek, Elk Creek, Garcia River, Greenwood Creek, Navarro River, Noyo River, Ten Mile River, North Fork Ten Mile River, Usal Creek 200 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11468000 on the Navarro River near Navarro, CA.
Gualala River, Russian Gulch, Salmon Creek, Walker Creek 150 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11467510 on the South Fork Gualala River near Sea Ranch, CA
Napa River 15 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11458000 on the Napa River near Napa, CA.
Russian River 300 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11467000 on the Russian River at Hacienda Bridge near Guerneville, CA.
Pescadero Creek and all anadromous reaches of San Mateo Co. coastal streams normally open for fishing, from Elliot Ck. through Milagro Ck Shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that flows are impeding fish passage. USGS gauging station 11162500 on the Pescadero Creek near Pescadero, CA
Aptos and Soquel Creeks Shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that flows are impeding fish passage. USGS gauging station 11160000 on the Soquel Creek at Soquel, CA.
The Pajaro River and Uvas, Llagas, and Corralitos Creeks Shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that flows are impeding fish passage. USGS gauging station 11159500 on the Pajaro River at Watsonville, Ca.
The main stem of the Salinas River (Monterey Co.), below its confluence with the Arroyo Seco River Shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that flows are impeding fish passage. USGS gauging station 11152500 on the Salinas River Near Spreckels, CA.
The Arroyo Seco River Shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that flows are impeding fish passage. USGS gauging station 11152500 on the Salinas River Near Spreckels, CA and USGS gauging station 11151870 on the Arroyo Seco River Near Greenfield, CA.
The San Lorenzo River and all its tributaries, as well as all anadromous reaches of coastal streams normally open for fishing in Santa Cruz Co. from the San Lorenzo R. on North through Waddell Ck. 40 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11160500 on the San Lorenzo River at Big Trees, CA.
The Carmel River main stem, and the adjacent waters of San Jose, Gibson, Malpaso, Soberanes creeks that are West of Highway 1 80 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11143250 on the Carmel River near Carmel, CA.
The Big Sur River main stem west of the Highway 1 bridge, all of Limekiln Ck and its tributaries, and the anadromous portions of all other Big Sur Coast streams west of Highway 1 in Monterey Co., from Granite Ck. south to Salmon Ck. 40 cfs at the USGS gauging station 11143000 on the Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA.

Contact

Email us at LowFlows@wildlife.ca.gov.

Fisheries Branch
1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605 | Fisheries@wildlife.ca.gov