The majestic Eel River flows north through Mendocino and Humboldt counties. The three forks of the Eel contain a diversity of river types. The Eel begins its journey in a high mountain pine forest, flowing down through steep canyons and coastal redwood forests, and finally emptying into the Pacific through a gently sloping valley of virgin redwood stands. In the coastal plain it is joined by the Van Duzen River that, along with the Eel, is noted for its salmon and steelhead fisheries.

The Eel River offers endless year-round fishing opportunities. Salmon and steelhead runs in the fall and winter are by far the best known fishing on the Eel with shad fishing during the late spring and early summer not being too far behind. Other major fish to be caught on the Eel are the chinook, coho, and sea-run cutthroat trout.

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