The Sacramento River winter striped bass fishing has improved a great deal over the past two weeks. This after getting off to a rough start during the end of November 2023. In a fishery known to produce giant trophy sized striped bass, success was minimal through December for the most part. There were plenty of keeper size stripers to go around early in the winter striped bass season. What lacked were the 20-40 pound class stripers that are typically targeted during the winter fishing. Where were they? I honestly haven’t a clue. I do know the success was limited for both fishing charters and for recreational striper anglers alike. Fishing for the oversized linesides has definitely been easier in years past. Some possible hypothesis for the lack of success could range from…being “splash shy” from too much fishing pressure. Too many of the “bigs” being caught and kept over the past decade, or dying after a delayed release. The consequences of lengthy photo opportunities. It could be as simple as the hot, poor, unsuitable river conditions the fish faced during the summer months, and early fall on the Sacramento River. Whatever the case may be, prior to the New Year fishing for the “bigs” was flat out tough.

With the New Year came a new fishery. Following several hatchery releases of Fall Run Chinook Salmon juveniles. Along with hatchery steelhead juveniles, caused the bite to pick up tremendously. The beginning of this month has been solid, with plenty of stripers to go around. However river conditions have kept angler targeting the colossal stripers off the water for a couple days following each storm. The Sacramento River has turned muddy several times since Christmas. Causing for two or three day breaks in the fishing before the river falls back in shape. With the passing of every storm fishing has improved.

At current time anglers who are braving the frozen morning and occasional rain storms are finding respectable success. Not everyday are trophy striped bass finding their way to the net’s of those targeting them, but the opportunity certainly exist on every cast. Fishing guides Mike Rasmussen and Robert Petty have had some quality stripers make it to the boat since the start of the new year. Having to fish around private angler with the same objective has made the fishing more difficult on any given day. With weekends of course having more boat traffic. Keeping the intelligent stripers from really getting going on the hatchery released food source. Nevertheless the pair of trophy striped guides have landed cumulatively two trophy bass over thirty pounds, two over twenty pounds and a dozen stripers ranging from 14-17 pounds. Keeping customers happy and willing to take a shot at their PB (personal best) striper.

With a little over two months left in the winter striped bass fishery on the Sacramento River. There is still plenty of opportunity to tangle with a trophy striped bass. The closer we get to the spring spawn the big female striped bass will be reaching peak weight. Right now is chow time for the “bigs” as they gorge themselves on the tax bought, hatchery raised juvenile salmon and steelhead. Despite the efforts of Coleman National Fish Hatchery to time their releases of chinook salmon, and steelhead juveniles in conjunction with elevated and muddy river conditions. The stripers have still keyed in on the plentiful food source. These release practices are beneficial to the safe outward migration of these juveniles. However a certain percentage of these young hatchery raised fish will stay in the Sacramento River for some time. Trickling southbound at their own pace. Keeping the striped bass fishery alive for those who care to target it. Ensuring steady action for the remaining two months of the trophy season. Tight lines!

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River