LAKE OROVILLE: Still kicking out the kings, although it slowed down some this week due to the oppressive heat.
FEATHER RIVER: Fishing is slow because of low, warm water. Salmon season opens July 16.
BLAKE BUTTE LAKE: Per Pflum Fun Rentals, the bass fishing has been hot on worms and other plastics Texas-rigged on the weed lines, and some locals here troll them up with white lures. Catfish are also biting by Burris Creek. The crappie have faded to deeper water now that their spawn is over.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: Shad fishing has slowed. Some large resident stripers are being caught in swimbaits and glide baits. Sturgeon are still in the river and have been biting best at night.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Striper fishing has slowed, but a few nice keepers are still around. Shad fishing has slowed. Fishing is very good for catfish near Knights Landing, with fish over 10 pounds common.
TRINITY RIVER: Spring salmon season opens July 1. Flows are expected to be down to 450 cfs at Lewiston for the opener. Salmon are expected to be kegged up at the lower river falls. Some drift boaters will target them with MagLip plugs or tuna balls near Lewiston and Junction City.
AMERICAN RIVER: Shad fishing has slowed. Some large resident striped bass are available in the lower river.
LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propeller reports it’s a great all-methods bass bite in the main lake, with crankbaits very effective along shorelines and mud lines. Swimbaits are also producing – there’s a solid reaction bite going – but anglers who prefer finesse techniques will also clean up on Zman, Senkos, and worms in shad, greens and browns. It takes a little looking, but topwater is effective too. The bass are on a full-on post-spawn tear. The trout have gone deep, 45-60 feet, and the kings are below them at 70-100. For the latter try Speedy Shiners and Optimizers.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.
