It is not often people associate perch and steelhead, but anglers are talking about both species for several reasons. Steelhead and perch fishing have been good, and the Sand Crab Classic Surf Perch Tournament is scheduled and open for enrollment. The perch tournament raises money for the steelhead hatchery.
On the San Lorenzo River, there is a lot going on in regard to steelhead. There are a few adult steelhead showing up for the persistent angler. Most reports are coming from Felton down to the lower river in Santa Cruz. A few adult fish might have passed the rubber dam in Felton, but the recent lack of rain and lack of river flow have kept the fish in the lower stretches.
The great news on the San Lorenzo River is that the Monterey Bay Salmon Trout Project has received a permit for 12 adult steelhead to be collected for the Student-Teacher Education Program.
S.T.E.P. sends 30 steelhead eggs into participating classrooms that are equipped with refrigerated aquariums. The program is a great way to teach and increase awareness about our local rivers and the fish that inhabit them.
To date, six fish have been collected for the trap at the rubber dam in Felton at Henry Cowell RedwoodsState Park.
Perch fishing has been very good so far this year, with a nice variety coming in for shore anglers. The cliffs are producing rainbow and rubber-lip perch, while the beaches are producing barred perch.
The Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament is scheduled for March 12 and is now accepting enrollment. Last year’s tournament raised $3,000 for the Monterey Bay Salmon Trout Project.
Admission for the one-day event is $35 for adults and $25 for kids. That gets you a great T-shirt, lunch and tickets for a raffle with tons of prizes, plus fun for families, friends, beginners and experienced fishermen. Enrollment is limited to the first 300 contestants. For information and registration: www.theletsgofishingradioshow.com.
The weather has been great on the river and in the ocean. Crabs and sand dabs are also a great bet for ocean anglers lately.
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. He also hosts a fishing radio show April through September.
