This is a reminder for those of you who think striped bass don’t have any effect on out migrating Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout in the Sacramento River. The argument of coexistence between the two species has been a topic of much debate in recent years. As angler who feel partial to one species or the other voice their opinions on the issue. First off let me say “coexistence” (the two species existing together in the Sacramento River with strong run counts. Since the stripers introduction to the west coast in 1891) was based on different river condition then currently exist in today’s time. Historically there was a lot more water available in the Sacramento River. Many of the river conditions and variables have changed dramatically in the past couple decades. Due to California’s severe drought conditions. At the same time a much larger demand for water diversion. Keeping our states 50 billion dollar agricultural industry hydrated. Along with water in the households of our states 40+ million residents. Concerning the dynamics of which the two anadromous species successfully coexisted, becomes a touchy subject. This fishing blog is not intended to put Stripers against Salmon and Steelhead. Rather to say the amount of salmon returning to the Sacramento River would likely be higher if release practices by these hatcheries were changed momentarily. At the time of their release. Simulating brief conditions similar to those of historical coexistence. Some anglers may not be aware that the hatcheries take into account the impact predation takes on the released hatchery raised salmonoids as juveniles. During their out migration from the Sacramento River to the Pacific Ocean.

Although Hatchery research biologist account for the losses caused by predation. When configuring the estimated return of adult Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout. It does not alleviate the fact that if release timing was done coinciding with a discharge of elevated river levels. Many more salmon and steelhead would return to our river system as adults. For example let’s say a hatchery raises 12 million baby salmon. With a 1% adult return average in three years time (average life cycle of chinook salmon and steelhead trout). You would expect 120,000 adult Chinook Salmon to return to the river to spawn as adults. The only fish hatchery on the Sacramento River has been unable to reach their 1% target number in the past decade. Realistically the percentage a returning adult Chinook Salmon generally runs between .60% and .80%. So out of the 12,000,000 eggs reared annually by the hatchery. It can sadly be assumed that only about 60,000-80,000 of those salmon will return to spawn as adults. Coleman National Fish Hatchery (the Sacramento River’s only hatchery) has a target number of 12,000 spawning pairs of adult Fall Run Chinook Salmon. So they can raise and release a target number of 12,000,000 juveniles. Attempting to reach their target percentage of 1%. To return in three years time as adults. 120,000 returning adults is theoretically the federally run hatcheries target number. Which the federal hatchery has been unable to produce for quite some time. In the past decade numbers of returning adult chinook salmon in the Sacramento River has dwindled dramatically from year to year.

Do the striped bass in the Sacramento River and California Delta consume all the hatchery raised salmon and steelhead? No! They do not! To what extent predation from the stripers play on a given year class of hatchery juvenile salmon or steelhead is quite frankly unknown. It is likely to very to some degree from year to year. Depending on the current river conditions. What is known is the fact that juveniles released in low river water conditions. Sustain a much larger loss then juveniles released in conjunction with a river water rise. Brought on by rainfall. Which there hasn’t been much to speak of in the Golden State in recent years. Allowing the highly intelligent and adaptable striped bass to take advantage of these releases by the hatchery. Gathering in the narrow funnels and choke off points of the river’s geographical features. Consuming these precious juveniles throughout the entire river system. Spring, summer, fall, and winter!

FACTS! If salmon juveniles were released into the Sacramento River, accompanied by a pulse flow release of store Shasta Lake water. Our salmon runs would certainly be more significant. Stripers do not play nice with other fish species. They have been know to exploit their food sources ( like baby chinook salmon) until the sources has been wiped completely out. Stripers are good at hunting together and eating around the clock. I have personally witnessed these massacres first hand on many, many occasions. While guiding on the Sacramento River during the times of hatchery releases. Being on the river more then department biologist, and research crews. Allows for first hand and eye witness accounts of stripers preying on salmonoids. Gaining a greater understanding of the stripers feeding habits. As they exploit their favorite food source.

To sum it up for those who see all the conflicting social media post and its commenting trends on this topic. 1)- Salmon and Striped Bass have coexisted for over 100 years (under many different conditions). 2)- Stripers can in fact play a significant roll in the predation of hatchery raised juvenile chinook salmon. 3)- California anglers would certainly have more salmon to fish for, if striped bass predation was limited or cut down at the time of release. Facts! 4)-To what degree or percentage of loss the stripers are responsible for. Is undocumented and unknown, even in current times. 5)-Sacramento River water levels, and water distribution. Determine the impact striped bass have on out migrating juvenile salmon. 6)-In California’s current catastrophic drought situation. It is likely nothing will change between the relationship chinook salmon and striped bass share on the Sacramento River.
The facts remain that the highly adaptable striped bass are also very intelligent, aggressive, and productive feeding machines. With a endless voracious appetite for any easily acquired food source. They do not play well with others, and they should NOT be introduced into any other body of water. They will likely take it over completely, and could be detrimental to its ecosystem. On another note. They sure are supercool and fun as hell to catch. As well as in my opinion the best tasting fish swimming in California waterways. Tight Lines Linesiders!

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.