…..was a complete madhouse. Colusa, Ca was overrun by striped bass anglers this past weekend. Out of town anglers coming from all over the west coast headed for Colusa to get in on the peak run, striper fishing action. Many anglers visiting the area were participants of NorCal Guides and Sportsman Association (NCGASA) annual striper derby. Which took place over the weekend at the Colusa State Park and City Boat Ramp. Presumably putting a ton of fishing and boating pressure on the striped bass. Shockingly it didn’t seam to matter so much to the striped bass. By all indications on day one, the striped bass had no problems with the heavy boat traffic and non stop fishing pressure brought on by the derby. All reports from the weigh ins were very positive. Nearly one hundred percent of the 185 participants said there were plenty of striped bass to be caught. Many anglers reporting great striper fishing existed just about anywhere you went on the river.

Day one of the striper derby was a very successful day for all the anglers who partook. The target length for this random draw, target length, males only derby. Was drawn by president James Stone just before 5:00am Saturday morning. The target length drawn was 22 7/8”. Estimations for the total day one catch of striped bass ranged anywhere from a thousand to two thousand fish. Some of the professional Sacramento River striped bass fishing guides put up big numbers of stripers for their clients. In hopes of hitting the exact target length of 22 7/8”. Striped bass fishing guide Dakota Townley reported his crew doing 116 stripers to the boat on day one. As he and his crew weeded through the schoolie striped bass looking for the target length fish of 22 7/8”. At the weigh in the day one target length hit the hash mark at 22 7/8 exactly. The name of the winner is unknown to me at this time. However it was known to be a female angler who had reportedly caught the money fish on a live minnow. Big fish of the day went to a client of striped bass fishing guide Adam Andrieni.

Day two of the NCGASA striped bass derby went much like the first day. There was a plethora of striped bass to catch. The only difference was the lack of boat traffic on the second day. The target length was drawn at 27 1/2 inch. Again it was nailed dead on by a angler fishing with striped bass fishing guide Aaron Zanoko out of Yuba City, Ca. All and all there was a tremendous amount of support from local anglers and sponsors alike. Making for a successful annual striper derby put on by the guide’s association.

By Monday morning (April 22, 2024) the dreaded boat traffic was gone and the Sacramento River seamed to be much more quiet then usual. Making for easy limits for fishing guides like Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com, and Ryan Tripp of ryantrippsguideservice.com. Pulling (trolling) plugs seams to continue to be as consistent as any other method used in catching striped bass. Live minnows of course always being the fasted method to catch your boats limit of striped bass. The biggest benefit in trolling plugs is the grade of stripers you catch. They are typically much larger on average then the stripers caught using live minnows. Making plug fishing the best bang for your buck if you aren’t in a hurry to get off the water.

Striped bass anglers can find the most action in the stretch of the Sacramento River spanning from Colusa, Ca north to the reservation hole. About 9 miles north of the town of Colusa, Ca. You will also find the majority of other striped bass anglers in this stretch of river. If you are crowd shy or would rather be fishing away from the masses of striper anglers. Consider taking a look down river from Colusa. The stretch of rip rap rock wall from Lovey’s Boat Landing south to the Meridian Bridge also has had a large group of striped bass that have taken up residency in this stretch of river. Also this area is a excellent spot for trolling. Following and trolling the eastward rock wall should produce some quality striper action for those willing try it. Farther to the south is a section of the Sacramento River that has remained wild for the most part. Holes and sandbars with names like Pearson’s Dock, the Burning Bush, the Glory Hole, and Lupi’s Bend. All of which have a great deal of 22-24 inch keeper sized striped bass holding in the area. You will recognize this stretch of river by its natural layout. After traveling a half dozen miles down the man made ditch, you would recognize this region as the area that the rock wall and man made banks are absent.

The Sacramento River water temperatures are lingering around 60-61 degrees. Just below the spawning requirements of the striped bass. It is still up in the air if the spawn will happen prior to the cooler daytime air temperatures that will bring the Sacramento River water temperature back down into the mid to high 50 degree range. Either way there is still ample time to get out and enjoy some of the amazing striper fishing we have been experiencing here on the Sacramento River out of Colusa, Ca. Don’t miss out on what is continuing to be a excellent striper season. Get out on the water and enjoy all that Northern California has to offer the outdoorsman. Tight Lines!

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.