California's clearest famous steelhead river — a rain-fed coastal system that rises and falls fast, with winter steelhead moving on the pulse and the whole fishery depending on whether the river is open, dropping and visible. The South Fork also carries Heritage Trout significance, so this is not just a steelhead name; it is native trout country too. Fish it lightly, respect low-flow closures, and treat wild steelhead as the rare coastal fish they are. These are steelhead and salmon waters managed by CDFW under strict, frequently-changing seasonal rules — salmon retention is often prohibited and catch-and-release is widely required; check current CDFW regulations before fishing.

• Mixed

• Aquatic life: Supporting