Northern California Water Report: Week of October 17, 2026
Short version: here's how the water off Northern California was setting up this week, from a satellite composite a few days old and the latest NOAA buoy readings. It's a general read, not a forecast. Water moves every day, so check the live chart before you run.
The water this week
- Satellite range: most of the area read about 55 to 61°F, with a middle of about 59°F.
- Warmest water: The biggest patch of 61°F-plus water is centered about 95 nm WSW of Point Arena.
- Sharpest break: The sharpest edge we can see runs about 20 nm WNW of Crescent City: roughly 53°F to 55°F inside about 3 nm.
Satellite and in water readings can differ, and edges move with wind and current, so confirm on the day you go.
Buoys right now
Right now, 5 NOAA buoys in the area read 52 to 58°F.
- Pt Arena (NDBC 46014): 58°F
- Port Orford (NDBC 46015): 52°F
- Eel River (NDBC 46022): 54°F
All the buoys, with wind and waves, are on our free Northern California water temps page.
What to look for
Find the temperature edge closest to your range, then check whether a color change and some structure line up with it. Our guide to reading a temperature break walks through it, and the Northern California chart guide covers the local structure.
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The demo is the full product on real satellite data. Then unlock every region for $99.99/yr.
Not for navigation. ReelTemps is a fishing intelligence tool. We show data, not catch guarantees.