Some experts are calling for a ten year drought here in Northern California. It’s hard to believe our major waterways will be squeezed even tighter in the years to come. The state’s largest reservoirs sucked dry by thirsty agricultural planted hundreds of miles to the south. In the central and southern portions of the golden state. The Central Valley Water Project and the exporting of stored water for big agricultural, has become big money. Unable to compete with the special interest groups, lobbyists, lawmakers, and politicians. The salmon industry has had to rely on our state and federal hatchery programs to produce, a let’s say a...”struggling run”, at best. As the state and federal hatcheries have to produce salmon by law (ordered by the courts for the loss of habitat due to the construction of Shasta and Oroville Dams). They don’t have to do a good job doing so. Hatchery release practices of juvenile salmon by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colman National Fish Hatchery (on the Sac side) in the last decade, have been questionable to say the least.

Lake Oroville photographed from the Highway 70 bridge on June 25, 2021.

So here we are entering summers hottest months with our reservoirs already so low that 80% of boat launches in NorCal reservoirs are unusable. It is predicted that come fall, Northern California’s Lake Oroville will reach the lowest level seen since the construction of the 770’ earth filled dam was completed in 1968. Water temperatures will then likely rise in the Feather River downstream of Oroville Dam. Causing lethal water temperatures for spawning salmon. Which arrive during the late summer months and into the early fall. When historically the states second largest reservoir will reach its lowest level. Putting extensive strain on a already struggling salmon fishery. A fishery so rich with salmon fishing history, it’s hard to believe it struggles to produce consistent runs of hatchery raised chinook salmon in these modern times. Hosting the second largest run of Fall Run Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento Valley. As well a separate run of Spring Run Chinook Salmon. The Feather River two decades ago was for the most part a year round fishery. Only closing for two short winter months. Famous salmon fishing spots like the notorious “Outlet Hole”, were stuffed with king salmon. The hundreds of anglers who lined the banks fishing the turbulent waters of the Thermilito, Ca discharge (aka “Outlet Hole”), caught salmon by the hundreds. On a daily basis mind you. I myself frequently bank fished this unique location as a younger angler. While in my late teens and early twenties. Prior to owning a jet boat, and discovering the guide for hire business. A little over two decades ago now. On a average day of “combat fishing” (coined by the chaos, occasional fist fight, stabbing, or drowning) it was common to hook up twenty or maybe thirty king salmon on every outing. The limit was even three salmon in possession for some time. A far cry from today’s twenty or thirty salmon hooked between all the bank anglers combined. The Feather River flowed with a much higher volume of water. When wading in the turbulent waters of the outlet hole some twenty years ago, your legs would become numb from the cold water. The places we waded, stood, and fished from back then, are now exposed gravel bars. The water is now much warmer to the touch, there is far less of it, and its getting worse every season. The warmer river water has made the Feather River become sterile of successfully spawning Fall Run Chinook Salmon. The Spring Run Chinook Salmon are almost nonexistent, and anglers are no longer aloud to target this particular run of Feather River King Salmon. The State Run Fish Hatchery is all that’s left to produce salmon in this river system, and that hasn’t proven to be effective in sustaining a solid run of salmon in my opinion. To most anglers who don’t know the details or history of this Northern California river system, it may seem as though this fishery is in “ok” standing. I can assure you, it is not. The Feather River will certainly be put to the test later this season as Lake Oroville reaches record low levels. It is likely we will not know the outcome of the damages done by this seasons extreme drought, for three year to come. As the majority of King Salmon do not enter the fresh water river systems until after spending three years in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. We shall wait and see...

Lake Oroville shown from a NASA satellite image in July 2019 (left) and again in June 2021 (right). Depicting the significant water loss from two rainless NorCal winters.

This NASA satellite image shows the significant loss of water storage between July 2019 and June 2021. Only two short years and Shasta Lake has dropped to 43% of storage capacity.

The Sacramento River is faced with similar circumstances, if experts predictions are accurate. Lake Shasta near Redding, Ca, the states largest reservoir. Is also in dire straits as far as water storage is concerned. Lake Shasta is currently at 41% of its capacity. Down 106 feet from the same time two years ago in 2019. This according to NASA, who monitors California’s drought situation from satellite images. Most of the lakes easily accessible boat launch facilities are unusable and closed to the launching boats. Due to lake levels dropping far below the bottom of the concrete boat ramps. Summer has just begun here in Northern California. Typically the spring run off from the mountain snow pack is still filling up the enormous reservoir. In the lakes current condition it’s rumored that by fall the lake will be the lowest witness in my forty three years of life here in NorCal. Shasta lake reaching its all time low in the 1976-1977 drought. Along with Lake Oroville. Which currently resides at 34% of capacity. Sitting only forty seven feet above the historic all time low in September 1977.

The famous “Outlet Hole” during the 2017 salmon season on the Feather River, near Oroville, Ca.

Bank anglers wading in the waters of the Outlet Hole on the Feather River in Oroville, Ca.

The fight for water here in the Golden State is well underway. Has been! It’s about to get “real” as they say. Unfortunately for our NorCal sportsmen, salmon will come last in the fight for water. Simply because they generate the least amount of revenue in this states diverse, and demanding economy. Sadly, the mighty dollar will win every time. The salmon, well.... my guess is they will be left fighting to stay off the endangered species list, or worse. Assuming things shape up according to how drought experts have predicted. If there is any glimmer of hope for the states reservoir conditions. It would have to be the fact that all this could and will go away with one big wet winter. I’ll certainly be keeping my fingers cross on behalf of the hope for a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter.

The 2021 King Salmon season on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers will open on July 16, 2021. Only two short weeks away. This years salmon run into Northern California waterways will not have been affected by the drought conditions that started in 2019. Our salmon fishing charter service is expecting a solid run of Pacific Ocean chinook salmon for our clients to have a blast catching, and enjoy eating. Fishing guide Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon reported seeing a few bright king salmon jumping in the deeper holes of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge boat launch this week. Located just a few miles east of Corning, Ca. A popular boat launch during salmon season. Most of the chrome bright kings that will be caught on opening day (July 16, 2021), have just now started their migration from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. With the onset of this full moon phase we are passing through currently, the king salmon instinctually gather outside the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. For up to a week prior to the full moon. Without notice the schools of chinook salmon that have gathered to migrate into the Sacramento Valley waterways, will vanish. They will quickly move up the river systems at a pace of up to twenty two miles a day. Blasting through the potentially fatal warm water temperatures of the lower Sacramento River, Until finally reaching desirable river conditions in which they will reside for several months. Waiting to eventually spawn in the Fall.

Katie and Abby Rasmussen out fishing with their father, fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of fishing charter SalmonSacRiver. Abby lands a Sacramento River King Salmon as her sister Katie watches on. Sacramento River fishing guide Ryan Tripp nets the salmon.

Opening Day (July 16, 2019) on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca. Captain John Pearl prepares to net a king salmon Amanda Gradney has on the line.

Reports from the salt water captains working out of the marinas surrounding the San Francisco Bay have been positive. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing (a established “six pack” fishing charter service) reported that the commercial salmon vessels up North, fishing out of Bodega Bay, Ca. Crushed the king salmon prior to June 26, 2021 sport fishing season opening day. A very positive sign for the season to come. And now we wait!

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.