SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Salmon fishing is slow. 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 very good at night near Knights Landing.
LAKE OROVILLE: The lake and all recreational facilities are closed due to fires.
TRINITY RIVER: Flows from Lewiston Dam jumped from 450 cfs to 1,070 cfs over the weekend. That will pull big numbers of salmon from the Klamath River this week. Expect fishing to be good by the weekend near Junction City and Douglas City. MagLip plugs will be effective as long as the flows are up.
AMERICAN RIVER: Salmon fishing is slow because of low, warm water. Expect the fall-run kings to begin arriving soon. There was a decent bite near Discovery Park late last week for anglers anchoring with FlatFish plugs or spinners.
FEATHER RIVER: Salmon are holding in the Outlet Hole, but low water has limited success. Guides are getting a few fish a day on the Feather. Expect the main run of fall kings to move in from the ocean in the next week or so. Striper fishing is slow, with an occasional keeper and some shakers.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: The Woodson Bridge area has been the best bet for salmon. Drifting roe continues to outfish plugs. Fresh schools of kings have been arriving daily.
LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propeller said the public ramps remained open through the ongoing USFS fire closure, although the Shasta-Trinity Forest Service reported otherwise. Boitano fished Wednesday through Friday, and said the bass bite has backed off, likely due to a 6-degree drop in the water temp. and another 6 feet drop in water level. Shasta is now down about 100 feet, and soon, he said, the public ramps will be high and dry. Be mindful of exposed rock and islands due to the low water level. Topwater is working a bit, as are smaller swimbaits, and at times there’s a spinnerbait bite. The finesse plastics bite has been unusually slow. The falling water temp. has the trout up to 45 feet early, but once it warms up they’re sulking down at 100 to 130 feet.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.
