Here in the Northern Sacramento Valley we are back to praying for rain. After much needed rainfall fell over the North State, during the fall and early winter months. Replenishing much needed water storage in our reservoirs. We now face a nearly forty day dry spell. Without even a trace of rainfall. California just suffered through its second driest January in recorded history. According to abc10.com. The California drought monitor already has the majority of the state in the “severe” drought condition category. A few Northern California counties bordering Oregon are in the “extreme” drought category currently. Leaving little room for doubt where this year is headed. Hydraulically speaking.

Our winter months spent as NorCal outdoorsman depend on winter weather. For the most part anyhow. Winter weather typically consists of valley rain, and mountain snow, here in the north state. We depend on these winter weather events to make certain things fall into place. For example, most all anadromous fish species we as anglers target here in California during the winter months. Are all brought from the Pacific Ocean to our states rivers and streams, via increased river water flows. Brought on by winter rainfall, or snow melt runoff. These increased river and streams flows are sensed by the migratory fish species. Triggering a instinctual notion to start their upstream migration. Coinciding directly with a high water event. Ensuring safe passage for theses migrating fish. Without these high water events, migrating fish species will make some sort of effort to adapt to the drought conditions when spawning. But upstream migration won’t be the same. Sadly it is more likely then not these effected fish species will unsuccessfully spawn. Or spawn at a diminished capacity. Anadromous winter fish species spawning in Northern California waterways include, White sturgeon, steelhead trout, spring and winter run chinook salmon, pacific lamprey eel, and west coast striped bass. All dependent on elevated river water levels, conducive to the successful spawning and rearing of their young.

All California’s north coast waterways are currently at, or very close to their low flow closure heights (north coast river closure hotline 707-822-3164). Meaning anglers must stop fishing for migratory fish in these listed waters. When coastal waterways are deemed so low by CDFW officials, that it is likely fishing pressure will cause great harm to the fish that have entered into the freshwater. In preparation to spawn. The department will suspend fishing until a new storm comes through. Raising river water levels. With no rain in the forecast, it can be expected that most coastal steelhead rivers will close to fishing in the days/weeks to come. Causing a unseen interruption in the winter steelhead season. Steelhead fishing on California’s north coast has continued nonetheless. Anglers have congregated in the usual low water fisheries. Targeting steelhead both from the bank, and by drift boat. Steelhead fishing guide Ryan Tripp has continued to produce some exceptional steelhead this past week for his guest. Catching and releasing some beefy male (buck) steelhead weighing well into the double digits. Ryan is still on the north coast, and is taking reservations through March 31, 2022. Or for as long as these rivers remain open to fishing. Ryan can be reached to answer any questions or to book a reservation by calling his cell phone at (530) 635-3719.

Migration of the white sturgeon got underway back in December, 2021. Following several big rises of the Sacramento River water levels. Triggering the prehistoric fish to leave the salt water and head up the Sacramento River to their spawning grounds. Spawning of these massive fish takes place in the Sacramento River near the city of Colusa, Ca. Where these giant anadromous fish carry out their annual spawning rituals. Finding the criteria needed for successful spawning in this particular stretch of river. Historically the white sturgeon spawned in the Pit River of Shasta County. Where the crucial and complex criteria was met for the successful spawning of this species. for centuries. Following the completion of Shasta Dam in the late 1940’s. The white sturgeon now spawn in a area of the Sacramento River surrounding the Colusa, Ca area. A great deal of research has been done on these ancient fish of the Sacramento River. University of California at Davis (UC Davis) has done extensive research on these creatures. Their spawning criteria runs deep. Without going into specifics it is safe to say the drought is extremely hard on these prehistoric fish. Who need a substantial volume of water in conjunction with a certain amount of solidity (silt) in the river water. To meet their successful spawning criteria. No one knows the exact success rate these white sturgeon have when spawning during drought years. However it would be safe to assume through scientific studies and research. Success would be minimized dramatically.

As for the striped bass of the west coast. They will most likely suffer from the drought conditions the least of all the anadromous fish species covered in this blog. The highly adaptable and hardy striper have proven their existence here on the west coast. Since the time of their introduction in the late 1800’s. Drought? No problem for these anadromous fish. Who came to California from the east coast via steam engines on the railroad. Passengers on the train, as part of a contract agreement for riding across the county. Had to take turns stirring the water in the holding tanks with their fingers. For two hours each day. In efforts to add oxygen to the water. Keeping the juvenile stripers alive during transport to the west coast. And it worked. In hindsight I’m not saying the drought doesn’t effect these fish when spawning. It just doesn’t effect them as much as others. The spring striper spawn will happen this coming April and May. With any luck we may have more rain runoff by then. If you are interested in booking a trophy striper trip (currently underway). Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon.com is taking reservations through the middle of March, 2022. Robert can be reached on his website, or by calling (530) 917-8901.

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.