NorCal anglers targeting trophy striped bass on the Sacramento River have been getting more then just donkey stripers. Big chrome king salmon have been a daily occurrence on the Sacramento River. Adding to the excitement of the otherwise mind numbing hours spent chucking glide baits every day. These King (chinook) salmon have been plentiful. “Loaded” or “stacked” up in all their favorite holes along the Sacramento River. Reports from private boaters, as far down river as the Tisdale Boat Launch in Tisdale, Ca. And as far up river as the Red Bluff Diversion Damn, in Red Bluff, Ca. Striper fishermen have been running into these king salmon just about everywhere on this upper stretch of the Sacramento River. Not to mention the fact that they are kind of hard not to miss on your boats electronics. Salmon are piled up on the fish finder like it’s the middle of September. Chasing down and striking almost any kind of reaction baits. Unaware striper guys be throwing these reaction baits like: “man I got a good one here”! But no, it’s just cranky King that didn’t like the tone that reaction bait was talking. These salmon have been aggressively biting a variety of different presentations. Offered to us striper fishermen from the more sophisticated and technically advanced green bass fishing scene. Trolling broken backs Rapala’s, using rip baits, jerk baits, chatter baits, and of course the “rig”. Which has a way of tangling up with king salmon on occasion. Have all been victimized by these aggressive in river king salmon.

This particular strain of King Salmon are the “Winter Run Chinook Salmon”. Highly aggressive and large in size. These fish can be a thrill to catch. But please ALL ANGLERS take note! This is a FEDERALLY PROTECTED species of chinook salmon. The winter run chinook salmon on the Sacramento River was at one time was the largest run of the rivers four distinct runs of chinook (King) salmon. Numbering over 400,000 salmon returning annually. It was the Sacramento Rivers biggest producer of king salmon. Decimated by the construction of Shasta Dam and their irreplaceable loss of spawning habitat. And being finished off years later by the Red Bluff diversion dam. These fish faced near extinction in the past decade. The federal government stepped in and listed this particular run of Sacramento River chinook salmon, on the endangered species list. Three years ago there were 300,000 juvenile winter run chinook salmon released above the Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Near Manton, Ca. In efforts to restore the endangered salmon run back to a healthy population of returning adult salmon. As it appears by all the recent catching of these king salmon by striper fisherman. The project seems to have worked just fine. Although generally unknown to public. This salmon run is not the same salmon run that is taking place during the summer and fall months of the regular salmon season. These salmon are not to be targeted or fish for in anyway, shape, or form. If accidentally caught while fishing for striped bass. A quick release back into the river while the salmon is boat side, would be acceptable. Taking these fish out of the river for a picture or any other reason is unlawful. Although some people may struggle with the reasoning behind this law. It is in fact the law. Unhooking the fish in the net boat side, and quickly releasing it. Is always the proper method to be used when accidentally catching one of these winter run chinook salmon.

Tanner Smith shows the proper method of release when accidentally catching the endangered winter run chinook. Find Tanner on Facebook to watch the videos of this salmons release.

With social media platforms constantly being patrolled. Or just plane trolled, by state game wardens. Who are known to crawl through news feeds and profiles of hunters anglers. Watching for anyone posting pictures of questionable activities. Something easy for them to do from their home or truck. For example! Holding the federally protected winter run chinook salmon up for a quick picture before releasing it. It’s a “give me” for the local game wardens who could give you a ticket with out even leaving their couch. With this said! If it is a picture you want with the fish. Simply make your way to the shore with the salmon in the net, in the river. Hop out, kneel down, unhook the fish, grab it by the tail and snap a pic as you are about to release it. Just don’t take it out of the water!

Another winter run chinook salmon that took a trolled broken back yo-zuri lure on the Sacramento River this past week.