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The Mad River Slough lies within Arcata Bay
in the northern half of Humboldt Bay, about
100 miles south of the Oregon border. Arcata
Bay is the northern portion of Humboldt Bay,
divided from the southern section by Highway
101. The slough provides easy access for
paddlers and offers several miles of
pristine waterways, as the Mad River was
diverted into Humboldt Bay during the
logging era.
The slough retains a serene, timeless
quality, allowing visitors to experience the
world as they did in childhood, with a
slower pace and abundant birds and wildlife.
Birdwatchers flock to the Mad River Slough,
which is home to over 150 species, including
hawks, kestrels, shorebirds, ducks, and
geese. Wildlife sightings abound around
every bend, with the sounds of crashing
waves from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Anglers can also find success in the waters
of Arcata Bay, where Pacific and California
halibut thrive, particularly
 around
the piers with sandy bottoms. The best time
to fish for halibut is on the incoming tide,
about two hours before high tide.
There are no camping facilities at the Mad
River Slough. If you’re looking for
somewhere to stay over night, camping is
available at the Samoa Dunes Boat Launch and
Campground.
Map of the Mad RIver Slough
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