Yes, there are a number of locations along the river that are accessible…. I’ve been about 4 miles up, and stopped several times along the way. I believe you can go in as far as 7 miles or so…. The folks at Catch A Canoe are very knowledgeable about the river, since they rent kayaks and canoes for the river (and the ocean).

The main thing I know: go in with the tide, and come out with the tide. The tidal effects go 7 miles in, and you do not want to be paddling back out with the tide coming in.

Dennis

I checked the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations from the Department of Fish and Game. Big River is one of the rivers with special fishing regulations, and here’s what it says is allowed:

1. Fourth Saturday in May through October 31: only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used — and the bag limit is 0.
2. Nov 1 through March 31: only barbless hooks may be used — bag limit is 1 hatchery trout or 1 hatchery steelhead, with a big caveat. “Hatchery trout or steelhead are those showing a healed adipose fin clip (adipose fin is absent). Unless otherwise provided, all other trout and steelhead must be immediately released. Wild trout or steelhead are those not showing a healed adipose fin clip.”

There’s another note that says Big River may be subject to closure in low-flow conditions, and it is the responsibility of the angler to call to obtain info on the status of any stream. The number is 707-944-5533.

I’ve been biking up Big River for years, and the only fishermen I’ve ever seen have been crabbers near the mouth of the river. I checked the regulations, and they are the same for the Noyo, Navarro, and Garcia rivers. The regulations book I have is good through February 28, 2008.