LAKE OROVILLE: Jamey Sorensen of North Valley Tackle in Oroville said the reopening of the lake underdelivered for bass anglers. After a COVID closure earlier in the year, he recalls “everyone thought they were Kevin VanDam easily catching 100 bass.” Now, no one is catching 100, not even those known for exaggeration. He said anglers are working for their fish, which are holding deep, at approximately 40 feet in the main lake. Sorensen said he found better action up the North Fork where it is only 20 feet deep. He recommends throwing a shaky head, a jig or drop-shot. Some guys are reporting topwater hits but Sorensen didn’t get so much as a blow-up.
FEATHER RIVER: The river is low, but there are plenty of salmon from Gridley to the Outlet Hole. Boaters able to find a good spot are catching kings. A big school of fish arrived last week.
TRINITY RIVER: Summer steelhead and king salmon are spread throughout the Trinity. With low, clear water, the deeper holes are full of salmon, which are now spawning. Anglers are catching steelhead form shore near Junction City on small MagLip plugs. Flows at Lewiston are 438 cfs, while flows at Douglas City are 451 cfs. Flows near Hoopa are 634 cfs.
AMERICAN RIVER: Salmon fishing remains slow. A few kings are being caught near Discovery Park. Flows dropped from 1,900 cfs to 1,600 cfs last week at Fair Oaks.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: The Woodson Bridge area continues to fish well for fall salmon. New schools of fish moved through over the weekend. Roe is producing most of the salmon, although FlatFish plugs with sardines wraps also have been tricking salmon.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Salmon fishing remains slow, but fish are being caught on jigs and spinners and plugs trolled downstream. Big schools of salmon moved through last week.
LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propeller said topwater is still producing along main body rocky shorelines and points, and this long streak is due to ample bait. Super Spooks, Ploppers and Choppos are all effective. With the bait at such abundance, ripbaits and A-rigs are working, and there are some big swimbait bites available for those who prefer to fish for big bass. Keitechs are also catching. The plastic bite is perking up and the offering doesn’t much matter, so use your favorite. Boitano likes cinnamon and green pumpkin colors sparked with a little purple flake. Catfish are still on the chew on the traditional offerings as well as shrimp, and trout are starting to come up shallower.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.
