..has arrived on the Sacramento River. The extensive rain fall Northern California has had, and continues to receive. Has established premier fishing conditions on the Sacramento River for the annual White Sturgeon migration and spawn. A event that directly coincides with, and is aided by, high river flows and turbid (silty/muddy) river conditions. Something the drought stricken Sacramento River has been lacking in seasons past.

Like all anadromous fish species of the Sacramento River, the White Sturgeon return to the fresh water to spawn. Doing so in the winter and the early months of spring (December-April). When rain run off causes the Sacramento River to swell to it’s highest levels of the year. Historically these river conditions allowed the ancient fish species to travel unimpeded to its once distant spawning grounds of the Pitt River (Shasta Co, California). Roughly a four hundred mile journey up the Sacramento River from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. Here the White Sturgeon found the ideal spawning criteria for their successful reproduction. Long since removed from the White Sturgeon by the construction of Shasta Dam. At which point the adaptive White Sturgeon took up residency in the stretch of Sacramento River between Colusa, Ca and Knights Landing (generally speaking). Where they have been successfully spawning for the past eighty years.

Sturgeon fishing conditions couldn’t be better for anglers wanting to get a early start on the Sacramento River. Staging sturgeon in the California Delta and Suisun Bay will charge up the Sacramento River with every high water event from now until early spring. Restricted water releases coming from Shasta Dam into the Sacramento River only aid anglers attempting to target sturgeon early in the season. As fast as the Sacramento River rises and reaches flooding levels. It quickly drops back down to very manageable river flows. Without elevated releases from a full Lake Shasta, rain run off remains the driving factor in the river flows at current time. This may change come spring time but for now the quickly dropping river levels following a winter storm. Will allow angles to be out targeting sturgeon two days after the Sacramento River water flows have peaked out and start to drop.

When targeting these prehistoric sturgeon early in the spawning season, bait selection is key. Personally I myself have found using cured or uncured salmon roe works best during winter months. When river water temperatures linger below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As spring approaches river water temperatures start to warm up and the Sacramento River Pike Minnow (aka squawfish) become much more active. Making the use of salmon roe almost impossible, as the pesky squawfish just won’t leave it alone. The same goes for my second choice in winter sturgeon bait. The night crawler. Globing several large night crawlers on your hook is about as dependable as any other bait when fishing the Sacramento River. Not to say shrimp baits and lamprey eel don’t work during this time in the season. They do! Locating these baits can be difficult without a lengthy drive to the California Delta area. Where bait distribution is already in progress. Another thing to keep in mind is this. Remember White Sturgeon are here in the Sacramento River to spawn, not to eat or feed. The farther they get up the Sacramento River, and the closer they are to their spawning grounds. The less they are interested in feeding. You may see them breach, or see them on your electronics. They may be close to your bait but not biting. This is where the game of patients takes course. Don’t leave fish to find fish. They will bite. Let me put it to you this way. It was once explained to me like this. “Would you stop to eat a sandwich when you were engaged in naughty business?” Probably not! So remember to keep that in mind while you wait for that bite.

Sturgeon fishing will continue to improve in the weeks and months to come. Look forward to more sturgeon fishing reports as they roll in from local anglers. And as always. 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.