Humboldt Bay at North Spit is a Northern California entrance fishery where a broad estuary meets the Pacific through jetties, sand spits, and deep tidal channels. California halibut and surfperch are principal inshore targets, with rockfish and lingcod adding structure-oriented opportunity near the entrance.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 56
Beta
Conditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Service Status
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM PDT
Window score
81
Max wind
3 mph
Max gust
4 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Current Readings
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 4:43 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
NOAA CO-OPS
North Spit station
0.0 mi from destination
Water level
3.8 ft MLLW
Updated 8 min ago
Water temperature
55°F
Updated 8 min ago
Past 7 Days
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 4:43 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 4:43 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 4:48 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 4:36 AM Range 0.6 ft MLLW to 8.0 ft MLLW.
Readings decreased over the available period.
1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 4:48 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 4:36 AM
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Humboldt Bay North Spit jetty and surf fishery
The North Spit / North Jetty entrance unit of Humboldt Bay. Anglers target Chinook when KMZ ocean salmon is open, plus rockfish, lingcod, and redtail surfperch. California halibut is occasional in warm-water years. Ocean coho retention is prohibited.
Fishery type
North coast entrance jetty
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
North Jetty rock · North Spit / Samoa Dunes surf · Humboldt Bay entrance channels
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Redtail surfperch and jetty groundfish are the year-round fishery. Chinook only when KMZ is open. California halibut is occasional.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Chinook salmon
PrimaryRegulations vary annually
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER — EARLY FALL
Redtail surfperch
Primary
Amphistichus rhodoterus
No seasonal pulse known
Lingcod
Secondary
Ophiodon elongatus
No seasonal pulse known
California halibut
Seasonal
Paralichthys californicus
Also called California flounder
Typical seasonal window: JUNE — SEPTEMBER
CDFW ESR: occasionally common in Humboldt Bay; not a reliable annual primary.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Chinook salmon — SUMMER — EARLY FALL
California halibut — JUNE — SEPTEMBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
BLM Samoa Dunes Recreation Area to Jetty Road parking, then walk to the jetty. A license is required on the rock wall touching land.
Primary hazards
Exposed jetty, surge, and shifting sand. This entrance unit is not a swimming beach.
Fishery considerations
Northwest wind and bar swell can shut down the jetty even when tides look usable.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
