LAKE OROVILLE: Lake Oroville reopened Friday, and according to Jamey Sorensen of North Valley Tackle, spotted bass fishing is hot. Just about anything was working after a nearly month-long break for the fish. Sorensen said he was planning to throw topwater, shaky heads and tubes. All launch ramps are open except Loafer Creek.
THERMALITO AFTERBAY: Jamey Sorensen of North Valley Tackle reported slow bass fishing here by all accounts. He attributed it to water operations that have the impoundment rising and draining almost daily. Be aware, there is waterfowling activity at the Afterbay. Open 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
FEATHER RIVER: Salmon fishing has improved on the Feather River near the Outlet Hole and also near Gridley, where anglers are anchoring and fishing plugs.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: Salmon fishing is best from Chico to Red Bluff. Salmon have stacked up near Woodson Bridge, where roe is outfishing plugs. Fish to 30 pounds are being caught, with fresh fish arriving daily.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Salmon fishing remains slow, but fish are being caught on jigs and spinners and plugs trolled downstream. Expect greater numbers of kings as the fall run begins to move in from the ocean. A few keeper stripers and lots of shakers are being caught near Verona. Fishing for catfish is good at night near Knights Landing.
TRINITY RIVER: Fire danger has limited access on the lower Trinity. Guides are reporting good salmon fishing from Junction City up to Lewiston. MagLip plugs are working well. The river is low and clear, with flows of 433 cfs at Lewiston, 451 cfs at Douglas City, 470 cfs at Junction City and 578 cfs at Hoopa.
AMERICAN RIVER: Salmon fishing is slow because of low, warm water. Expect the fall-run kings to begin arriving soon. Spinners are catching a few fish near Discovery Park.
LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propeller said topwater is still producing, and this long streak is due to ample bait. Spooks, Ploppers and Choppos are all effective, but interestingly he had a customer say he was catching bass on buzzbaits. Shasta isn’t known for grass mats, but the buzzbait was working in open water. Some bass are suspended deep, and for those Boitano suggests big spoons. He had no recent trout reports, but surmised they are up around 40 feet before the sun hits the water, and sulking deep at 70 to 100 feet afterwards, but before long the surface water temp will drop and these fish will come up and the bite will improve.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.
