LAKE OROVILLE: Bass fishing remains the top draw, and the first of 7 tournaments occurred recently with 9 teams weighing in over 13 pounds. Finesse techniques are the key and working the bait fish at depths to 30 feet with a variety of presentations are best. The overall bite has slowed since the storms, but anglers are still scratching out 10 or so fish per trip. is the top draw as there is a total of 7 tournaments scheduled on the lake over the next month. There is optimism for the upcoming spring for king salmon. The lake rose 7 feet within two weeks to 847.07 feet in elevation and 78 percent. The forks are muddy and there is debris on the surface.
LAKE SHASTA: Anglers fishing the Western Outdoor News Bass PRO-AM on January 31st-February 2nd saw some great bag weights. Nick Wood won the Pro side with a three-day cumulative weight of 47.42 pounds and Jake Etcheverry took the AAA with a combined weight of 48.46 pounds. Jeff Goodwin reported that Shasta Lake trout action has been very good and he’s taking fish to 5-pounds trolling #3-#4 sized Trinidad Optimizers in rainbow and in black and white. Trophy brown trout season is here, and March should be very good. The lake is in excellent condition and water levels have reached almost 83 percent.
TRINITY RESERVOIR: No current reports. Water level still below seasonal averages. We should start seeing some kokanee, but none reported so far.
AMERICAN RIVER/above Folsom Lake: The water is very stained from the recent inflow, particularly in the Middle Fork due to the burn scar from the Mosquito Fire. The flows have dropped from 1388 to 959 cfs at Chili Bar, but they remain high. As a result, fishing has been limited in the dirty water. The upper river is catch-and-release, artificials, and barbless hooks only through the end of May.
AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: Steelhead action is mixed but there is still a decent bite below Nimbus on Little Cleo spoons, roe, soft beads, and double nymphs under a bobber. Water levels are up around 2,570 cfs. but have been changing frequently with the weather and releases from the dam. Nimbus hatchery will be hosting children’s tours of the hatchery on February 18th. Things in town are tough due to poor water conditions.
FEATHER RIVER: No current reports. Conditions are good and the steelies should be in but are apparently spread out and in limited numbers. Water levels are variable. During the week of February 5-9, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released approximately half of 445,000 Feather River brood year 2023 hatchery steelhead at the Boyd’s Pump boat ramp. The remainder will be released during the week of February 13-16. There are approximately 4 fish/pound. All fish have been clipped.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Keswick Reservoir to Red Bluff: The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the river is still in relatively good shape above the Bonnyville Bridge but deteriorates below that. Flows are currently holding around 16,000 cfs. and are fine for the drift boats but too high for wading. Yellow egg patterns, caddis, poopahs, Zwings and Bubble backs all working.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa to Tisdale: Tough conditions due to high water.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Metro area: Tough conditions due to high water. The California Salmon and Steelhead Coalition today expressed support for Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Salmon Strategy, released January 30th. The Coalition, a partnership between California Trout, The Nature Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited, noted that many elements of this plan have been vetted for years by Coalition members and project partners and have proven effective in enhancing salmon habitat and recovery. “The Governor’s strategy brings in many of the elements we think are effective to bring back salmon populations,” said Curtis Knight, Executive Director for California Trout. “Restoring habitat, removing fish passage barriers, and investing in technology and science.”
The bi-weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.
