Striped Bass anglers who have been anticipating the winter striped bass fishery on the Sacramento River. Will wait no more. The season “kick off”, if you will. Starts with the release of the hatchery raised steelhead trout. Reared at Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Located near Cottonwood, Ca on Battle Creek. A cold water tributary of the Sacramento River. On December 11, 2021 the hatchery released this years juvenile steelhead. Essentially the junked were released right out the back door of hatchery, and into Battle Creek.

The past few annual releases of juvenile steelhead by the federally run fish hatchery. Came with severe consequences on their raised young. Last year the 2020 release site was a down river dumping location. Near the city of Red Bluff, Ca. Schools of large adult striped bass that had congregated waiting for this annual feast. Laid waist to the 9-12 inch juvenile steelhead as they started their migration down the Sacramento River. Gorging themselves on taxpayer dollars. Reaping havoc on the juveniles around the clock. Turning and following the mass of released steelhead down river. Eating on them at will. As the juvies slowly migrated south to the California Delta. Then out to the Pacific Ocean. All this in very low, and very clear river conditions. Brought on by severe drought, and water release practices by California DWR. Wiping out a significant amount of hatchery raised 2020 year class Sacramento River steelhead. On the upside of this tragic loss. The trophy striped bass fishery boomed! Personal best stripers were attained daily by clients of popular local fishing charters. “The bite turned on in mid December and didn’t stop for two months”. Explains Mike Rasmussen. Owner of the local Sacramento River fishing charter service, SalmonSacRiver. Rasmussen goes on explaining, that the great success with the Sacramento River’s trophy striped bass fishery over the past few years. Should primarily be attributed to the low and clear Sacramento River water. Which has has been the norm for the Sacramento River during the wintertime over the past few years. The only two operating Sacramento River fishing charters for this trophy fishery, never lost a day of fishing due to high and muddy water last winter. Conditions typically indicative of Northern California’s winter months. As rainfall was non existent in the Northern California this past winter.

This hydrograph of the Sacramento River depicts the dramatic rise and fall of river water levels as storms pass through Northern California

This year the federally funded Coleman National Fish Hatchery was on top of their game. The timing of their release? Impeccable! As they released this year’s juvenile steelhead into Battle Creek. Two days prior to a substantial winter storm, and high water event on the Sacramento River. Ensuring much more safe travels for the out migration of the yearling juveniles. Bad for trophy striper fishermen! Good for Steelhead fishermen! A perfect release scenario for Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Studies done by CDFW ( California Department of Fish and Wildlife ) and FWS ( National Fish and Wildlife ) researchers have shown predation is minimized drastically during out migration. If… that out migration coincides with a significant water rise on the Sacramento River. Allowing for a more hasty migration down river with the increased water flows. In conjunction with the cover of solidified and more turbid water conditions. Making it much more difficult for predators such as schools of striped bass, flocks of pelicans, and cormorants. Who all key in on the abundance of easy targets, heading haphazardly down river.

Due to excessive drought in the North State. Shasta Lake’s record low water storage levels have prompted the continued minimum release of 3,700cfs into the Sacramento River. Via Keswick Dam in downtown Redding, Ca. This is good news for trophy striped bass fishermen. Here’s why! The currently swollen Sacramento River will only accumulate rain run off from its tributaries entering the river below Keswick Dam. Which will cause the river to quickly rise. In the same sense it will allow the river to drop just as quickly. Making it possible for eager striper anglers to be back on the river in a matter of days. As apposed to weeks. Which would be the case if Lake Shasta was full. Forcing state water agencies to release the same amount of water as there is coming into the lake at any given time. So if big striped bass fishing is your thing. Don’t throw in the towel just yet. Plenty of opportunities still lie ahead. In between the winter storm per sessions of course.

Anglers intending to target these trophy striped bass of the Sacramento River system. Are urged by professionals of this fishery to catch, photograph, and quickly release, any striped bass over twenty pounds. In efforts to sustain a healthy striped bass population for future anglers to enjoy. Making sure you have the proper artificial bait/s to target these giant linesides with is also a solid plan. There are many, many, options to chose from these days. When it comes to big swimbaits of course (the primary method of take). For those who actively target this fishery. Bait selection has probably given way to personal preference. As bait makers have popped up by the dozens over the past decade. The popularity of throwing $200 custom made baits has grown as well. Along with this trophy fishery. I personally have fished a great deal of these custom glide baits over the past decade. Having success with most all of them from time to time. Believe me I have my favorites. For the sake of simplicity, when it comes to the Sacramento River trophy striped bass fishery. There is one glide bait that stands alone in success. Affordable, easy to effectively use, and readily available to consumers. The “Sneaky Pete” by G-Ratt Baits, is hands down your best bet for any angler, of any skill level. Especially in this fishery. If shear numbers of striped bass caught, and overall size of striped bass caught. Were to be tallied up among all other glide baits used for this fishery. Sneaky Pete would be far out of reach by other competitors. Plain and simply! It is the best! This bait “matches the hatch” if you will. Replicating perfectly the size and movements of the preferred and targeted bait of these large striped bass. During the winter months. The hatchery raised steelhead! These baits can be purchased at many popular sporting goods dealers, and online tackle shops abroad. A simple Google search of “Sneaky Pete” should land you many options of purchase for this increasingly popular and highly effective glide bait. Be on the lookout for the new ten inch “Papa Pete” from G-Ratt Baits! A sure to be favorite of these colossal digital line-sides.

Recreational sport fishermen who head out on the Sacramento River in private vessels. Need to beware of current river levels before departing. Sacramento River levels are changing daily. As mentioned previously in this blog. The release flows from Lake Shasta DO NOT change. They are as low as legally aloud. A unaware angler/boater can have severe, even deadly consequences. From the failure to recognize barely submerged gravel bars. Especially in the currently stained river water conditions. Which will most likely be present throughout the season. Anglers who are new to this fishery and feel ambitious and adventurous. Possibly planning to attempt navigation on the upper Sacramento River for the first time. DON’T DO IT! You are literally gambling with your vessel, your safety, and the safety of others with you! This is not the time to head out and learn the upper portions of the Sacramento River. It is urged that new comers hire a professional fishing guide or fishing charter service. To learn navigation and the ins and outs of this winter striper fishery. Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon and striped bass fishing charter SalmonSacRiver. These are currently the only two fishing charters services that book reservation for this trophy fishery. Contacting one of these Sacramento River fishing charters won’t leave you disappointed. A learning experience you can take from when venturing out on your own.

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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! BE SAFE OUT THERE!