As we bare down on the last week of March 2024, we are one step closer to spring’s striped bass run (spawn) on the Sacramento River. Although it’s a bit early striped bass fishing on the Sacramento River near Colusa, California has already shown signs of accumulating progress. Private anglers, as well as several fishing charter and guide services have been scoring “keeper” size stripers from Colusa, Ca north, over the past week. Far from what it will become in just a weeks time. Most anglers fishing this stretch of the Sacramento River were able to find some action casting swimbaits, soaking bait, and trolling live minnows. “Limit out” style fishing has not yet been achieved. However, this full moon cycle is going to make that all possible in the coming week. At current time it appears the large schools of migrating stripers have started to push their way through the California Delta. Making their way into metro Sacramento, Ca and north to Verona, Ca. These stripers should start showing up around the Colusa Ca area within a matter of days. By April 1st just over a weeks wait, everything should get off and cracking. So too speak. Striper fishing will be in full swing and limits of quality stripers will be filling the fish boxes of local anglers, recreational anglers, and fishing charter services.

For the striped bass anglers down river near Metro Sacramento, Ca. As well as anglers throughout the California Delta, hang onto your hats. There is a load of baby fall chinook salmon on their way through the Sacramento River. Headed straight to the Pacific Ocean. Coleman National Fish Hatchery on the Sacramento River did their annual release a Fall Run Chinook Salmon juveniles. Both at Butte City, Ca and from the hatchery itself. Which resides in Battle Creek, near Cottonwood, California. An estimated 3.2 million fingerlings chinook salmon were released on site from the hatchery. As well as two trucked loads of fingerlings consisting of 400,000 baby fall run chinook salmon each. Wherever these babies salmon run into the striped bass, currently on their migration up the Sacramento River. A wide open feeding frenzy will be taking place. A feeding frenzy you won’t want to miss out on. If I had to guess, from the reports by anglers fishing out of Verona, Ca on the lower Feather River. I would imagine when the juvenile Salmon reach Verona, Ca it will be a wide-open striped bass bite. Farther down river as the juveniles make their into and through the California Delta. You can also count on a wide-open striper bite. Typically this all takes place in a Sacramento River around Colusa, Ca. However this year the Hatchery Management tried to release these juvenile chinook salmon prior to the annual striper run that has arrived in Colusa by the time of the hatcheries annual release date. Typically during these releases of chinook salmon, you can use any darn bait in your tackle box and still catch them like crazy. I personally love the explosive nature of top water bite if you can find a white open boil. Jerk baits and swimbaits are also a preferred method of take if you like casting over trolling. Anglers, using live minnows should expect some of the best action all season. For the simple fact that minnows “match the hatch” better then anything artificial. The stripers will instinctively gather in chokepoints and funnels, created by the river. Here they will feed insatiably until the food source has moved on. Anglers can expect to find boils a stripers feeding on top early mornings and late afternoons, but expect the live minnow bite to continue around the clock.

On the Feather River side of the Sacramento Valley, most of the action that anglers were having prior to last week, has slowed down considerably. Reports from private anglers, and fishing guides who are fishing the Feather River system say that the striped bass bite has backed down river. With most of the action now taking place between the Nicolas bridge in East Nicholas, California to the confluence of the Sacramento River at Verona, Ca. Lots of shakers are being reported caught this past week as word spread and boat traffic drove the keeper sized stripers into hiding. This too will also change in just a weeks time. As a large push of fresh fish will show up, accompanying this full moon. Giving anglers on the Feather River some new targets to fish for.

Expect striped bass fishing to improve dramatically over the next two weeks. Finally reaching its peak the last week of April through the first week in May. Expectations remain high for a fabulous season ahead. Much like the season we had last year. Keep a eye out for next weeks NorCal Fishing Report, and I will keep you posted as to what’s happening in Sacramento and Feather River’s. 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.