Chetco River Fish Report for 12-18-2025
Chetco/Elk/Sixes Report
Chetco River - Brookings, OR (Curry County)
by Kenny Priest
12-18-2025
Website
“The few boats fishing the Chetco before Tuesday’s rain were finding decent numbers of adult steelhead, but high water will now have the river blown out of at least a week,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “River levels jumped 10 feet overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, from 1,500 cfs to nearly 20,000 cfs. Another big storm on Thursday may blow the river out for the rest of the year. Prior to the storms, ODFW crews doing salmon spawning surveys observed impressive numbers of adult steelhead spread throughout the river. Plunkers could have a chance between Christmas and New Year’s, while drift boaters may have to wait for the first week of January. The Elk and Sixes also blew out Tuesday night, with the Elk jumping to nearly 7.5 feet. Both rivers close to salmon fishing Dec. 31.”
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More Reports
Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Thursday, December 18th
Mad River: The Mad is high and off color, sitting at just over 9 feet on Thursday
Eel River: After reaching 48,000 cfs Wednesday night, the man Eel was on the drop Thursday
Eel River - South Fork: The South Fork Eel is big and muddy, and temporarily on the drop
Van Duzen River: The Van Duzen peaked at over 8,700 cfs Wednesday morning, but has dropped quickly
Smith River: The Smith jumped to over 21 feet Wednesday, but has since dropped down to a fishable height
Nor Cal Fish Reports Reports
for Thursday, December 11th
Mad River: The Mad remains closed, but changes are on the way
Eel River: The main Eel remains open, but is now under 700 cfs as of Thursday
Eel River - South Fork: The South Fork Eel remains closed to fishing, but some much-needed water is on the way
Van Duzen River: The Van Duzen is currently closed due to low flows, but that will soon change
Smith River: The Smith remains open as of Thursday, but is low and clear with very little fishing pressure
Chetco River: Salmon fishing has been slow on the Chetco, Elk and Sixes with prolonged low water reports
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