Martin Creek originates on the east side of Buckskin Mountain in the Santa Rosa Range of the Humboldt National Forest at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The area was initially the Santa Rosa National Forest that was designated by President William H. Taft in 1911. The Forest Service’s present status was designated in 1951. The creek has been historically important for irrigating lands in Paradise Valley.
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- Region
- Western
- County
- Humboldt
- Type of water
- Creek or Stream
Pertinent Information
The average stream width is 10 feet and depth is about 5 inches. Spring runoff can reach up to 30 cubic feet per second (cfs), but base flows during the summer average about 3.5 cfs. Total stream length is 48 miles, of which approximately 12 miles of the upper section is considered fishable. The stream ends in Paradise Valley. Brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and bowcutt trout (rainbow x cutthroat hybrid) occur in the stream. The time of year to fish depends on the amount of winter snow pack and runoff, but in general, angling is best in May and slowest during the heat of summer. Fishing picks up again during early fall and winter. Productive fishing methods include using nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and flies in nymph or dry fly patterns. Camping along the stream is primitive.