Arroyo Seco River (Monterey County)

Although steelhead fishing is allowed on this river, the habitat in the lower sections is so degraded that it’s really not worth anyone’s time. This is a tough stream to fish as the canyon gets very gorgy and brushy.

From Highway 101, take the exit for Arroyo Seco and follow the signs to the UFSF campground. From Highway 1, take Carmel Valley Rd. east to Arroyo Seco Rd. Follow the signs to the USFS campground. You’ll have to walk from the campground for about 3.5 miles on a dirt service road upstream to legal fishing water.

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
Below the waterfall located 3.5 miles upstream from the bridge at the U. S. Forest Service Ranger Station.	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. Fishing shall be closed when the department determines that the flows are impeding fish passage (call 831-649-2886 for flow info.). Only barbless hooks may be used.	0 (Zero)

Big Sur River (Monterey County)

Steelhead fishing is allowed downstream of the Highway 1 bridge to the mouth. Any steelhead angling technique and fly can yield results. The most important thing is to cover water and be in the right place at the right time. Like with all steelhead fishing along the central coast, persistence pays off.

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
Big Sur River below the bridge at Highway 1.	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. The Big Sur R. west of Highway 1, all of Limekiln Creek, and the portions of all other Big Sur Coast streams west of Highway 1 in Monterey Co., from Granite Ck. south to Salmon Ck., shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that the flow at the USGS gauging station on the Big Sur R. is less than 40 cfs (call 831-649-2886 for flow info). Only barbless hooks may be used.	0 (zero)

Carmel River (Monterey County)
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Steelhead fishing is tough. The catch rate is somewhere around 0.1 fish per angler per hour. Any technique and fly can yield fish, but luck and persistence really makes the difference. Access is easiest at Garland Regional Park, Carmel River State Beach and at any of the bridges that cross the river from Rosie’s Bridge on down. Carmel Valley Rd., which intersects Highway 1, parallels the river most of the way. Rancho San Carlos Rd., Schulte Rd., Robinson Canyon Rd., Boronda Rd., Paso Hondo Rd. and Robles del Rio/Esquiline Rd. all offer easy access to the river.

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
Carmel River main stem below the bridge at Robles Del Rio/Esquiline Roads (Rosie’s Bridge).	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. Only artificial hook with barbless hooks may be used. The Carmel River shall be close to all fishing when the flow is less than 80 cfs. The stream flow will be checked Tuesday and Friday of each week. Call 831-649-2886 for flow information.	0 (Zero)

Steelhead fishing is tough. The catch rate is somewhere around 0.1 fish per angler per hour. Any technique and fly can yield fish, but luck and persistence really makes the difference. Access is easiest at Garland Regional Park, Carmel River State Beach and at any of the bridges that cross the river from Rosie’s Bridge on down. Carmel Valley Rd., which intersects Highway 1, parallels the river most of the way. Rancho San Carlos Rd., Schulte Rd., Robinson Canyon Rd., Boronda Rd., Paso Hondo Rd. and Robles del Rio/Esquiline Rd. all offer easy access to the river.

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
Carmel River main stem below the bridge at Robles Del Rio/Esquiline Roads (Rosie’s Bridge).	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. Only artificial hook with barbless hooks may be used. The Carmel River shall be close to all fishing when the flow is less than 80 cfs. The stream flow will be checked Tuesday and Friday of each week. Cal 831-649-2886 for flow information.	0 (zero)

San Lorenzo River (Santa Cruz County)

This river, plus the Big Sur and Carmel Rivers, makes up “the big 3” steelhead rivers in the area. Located about one hour north of the shop, the San Lorenzo gets more pressure than any other local stream, probably due to its proximity to the Silicon Valley. From the south, take Highway 1 to Santa Cruz, then catch Highway 9, which follows the river most of the way.

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
San Lorenzo River from the mouth to the Lomond Street bridge in the town of Boulder Creek.	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. The San Lorenzo R., 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 Wadell Ck., shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that the San Lorenzo R. flows are impeding fish passage (call 831-649-2886 for flow info.). Only barbless hooks may be used.	0 (Zero)

Scott Creek (Santa Cruz County)

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
From the mouth to the confluence with Big Creek.	Dec. 1– March 7, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. Scott Ck., as well as all other anadromous reaches of coastal streams normally open for fishing in Santa Cruz Co. from San Lorenzo R. on north through Wadell Ck., shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that the San Lorenzo R. flows are impeding fish passage (call 831-649-2886 for flow info.). Only barbless hooks may be used.	0 (Zero)

Soquel Creek (Santa Cruz County)

Area or Body of Water	Open Season	Bag Limit
From the mouth to the confluence of the East and West branch.	Dec. 1– March 1, but only on Sat., Sun., Wed., legal holidays and the opening and closing days. Aptos and Soquel Cks. shall be closed to all fishing when the department determines that the Soquel Ck. flows impede fish passage (call 831-649-2886 for flow info.). Only barbless hooks may be used.	0 (Zero)

Central Coast Fly Fishing 7172 Carmel Valley Road Carmel, CA  93923 (831) 626-6586