We have finally received some rain now that it is spring. It may be late in the season, but fish are happy to have water.
With this time of transition, the recent Perch Tournament was a fantastic success. The San Lorenzo River has had a nice flush of water, and salmon season is around the corner.
The Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament drew more than 300 people March 10 to enjoy the nice weather and very good perch fishing. From the barbecue lunch to raffle prizes and a trophy-rich award ceremony, it was a great day.
Large-fish honors went to Justin Morris with his 2 pound, 13 ounce pile perch.
This fun family event raises money for the hatchery and promotes fishing for the entire family. The benefit resulted in $4,000 for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project.
The late spring rains came as a pleasant surprise, and the San Lorenzo River crested at 2,000 cubic feet per second.
The heavy rains are good for late-returning steelhead and may be the only chance for the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project to get the steelhead they need for the S.T.E.P. program. The program sends eggs into classrooms for students to raise.
The project also needs steelhead for the hatchery to help sustain fish in the river.
The rain will help top off Loch Lomond Reservoir, which opened March 1.
Salmon season may be opening as soon as April 7 — exciting news for ocean anglers. The final decision will be made at the end of March, but most proposals seem to indicate a full season starting April 7 south of Pigeon Point with a two-fish limit and a minimum size requirement of 24 inches.
Abalone season will open April 1, except for the Fort Ross area, which will remain closed until June 1, due to last year’s red tide die-off.
– Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at
ca************@ya***.com
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