Paddling on Fay Slough with your line in the
water can be quite mesmerizing as you watch the
animals frolicking along the shore. The Fay
Slough offers some of the best paddling
opportunities in Northern California. Additional
recreational opportunities are plentiful in the
Arcata Bay, and around Fay Slough.
Many species of migratory songbirds utilize
this habitat, as well as egrets, herons and
various raptors. There are more than one
hundred bird species in the Fay Slough. Many
species of reptiles and amphibians can also
be seen from a kayak.
There is parking at the trailhead to hike or
bike into the slough and wetlands. The trail
is flat that winds through the pasture
before running parallel to the slough. The
trail goes for about a mile before you hit
the slough, whereupon it splits in two
directions.
Improved boat launching facilities are
located throughout the bay at Fields
Landing, Samoa Peninsula, at the Eureka
Public Marina, under the southern end of the
Samoa Bridge, at Hookton Slough on the
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and
at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is important to note that the Hookton
Slough launching area is for non-motorized
watercraft only, and the Arcata ramp is
shallow and usable only at high tides.
Fishing is allowed within Fay Slough, as
well as in Arcata Bay. The Pacific and
California
halibut are both found in the waters of
Arcata Bay. Piers located adjacent to
sanding bottoms provide the best fishing
opportunities for halibut.
You are bound to have an enjoyable time and
a one-of-a-kind experience paddling Fay
Slough.
