With the upcoming 2022 Chinook Salmon season opener just around the corner. A little over a month away, from the July 16, 2022 opening day. It’s time to talk salmon fishing. King (chinook) Salmon fishing in particular, and to be even more specific. Sacramento River king salmon fishing. Which happens to be my personal favorite salmon fishery.

There is no doubt the 2022 salmon season will play out differently then seasons past. California’s severe drought has caused river conditions to change tremendously. Far from the norm of salmon seasons historically speaking. How will the salmon react to these changes? This is the million dollar question. No one knows for certain how the incoming chinooks will take to low Sacramento River flows. Nor how the chinooks will be affected by the much warmer then usual river water temperatures. These uncertainties are going to keep anglers on their toes. Forcing them to adapt. Creating new styles and techniques from traditional methods. Depending on the changes the king salmon will have to make for survival and a successful spawn, in less then suitable conditions.

Kwikfish, Flatfish, and Killerfish will be the top choices for anglers in the northern most part of the Sacramento River. The region stretching from Chico, Ca upriver to the closing point of the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. Lures are always your best bet for the opener in this stretch of river. A fresh sardine wrap added to your plug (lure) is pretty much mandatory. Something anglers fishing this section of the upper river may want to consider when it comes to lure selection. Would be the fact that bigger lures fish much better in slower water. With a two thirds less river flow this season compared to seasons past. I recommend checking out Yakima Bait Company’s lure selection. In particular their T-55 and T-60 plug sizes. This size plug will keep your lure pounding if there is even a breath of current. Yakima carries these size lures in the most popular color patterns.

Down river from Chico, Ca to Verona, Ca spinners steal the show. Traditionally sitting on the pick (anchor) with a few ounces of weight to hold your spinner on the bottom. Then backed out 10-20 feet behind your boat. This has proven a fail proof method that has been used as long as salmon fishing has been in existence here in NorCal. Trolling Blue Fox #6 spinners down river also serves lower river anglers well.

In the last decade our river has been plagued with some poor opening days. Some of the worst in recorded history. However the past three years have shown continual positive growth. With chinook run counts gaining strength each year. This year is no exception and projections reflect a strong upward swing in total escapement (number of chinook salmon in river to spawn) again this season. I urge you to ignore said “doom and gloom” reports from unknowing and misinformed naysayers. The Sacramento Rivers toxic conditions for salmon may hinder them in their migration and run timing. However it will not stop them from showing up in the numbers projected. The fall out from unsuccessful spawning, adult and juvenile mortality, poor management, and excessive predation. Will rear it’s ugly head in three years time when results from spawning year 2022 complete the average salmon life cycle. In the meantime enjoy the experience salmon fishing was intended for. 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.