What a week of striper fishing it has been. The Sacramento River did not disappoint this past week. The “all you want” striper fishing action that everyone waits for, is being had. The right combination of a few key ingredients lead to a banner week of striped bass fishing in Colusa, Ca. A sprinkle of rain, a dash of a water rise, a squeeze of sunshine, a dusting of chinook salmon smolts. With last weeks wild weather river conditions became perfect for striped bass fishing. Not to mention the arrival of Fall Chinook Salmon smolt, released from Coleman National Fish Hatchery early in the week. 2.2 million juvenile chinook salmon started making their way into the Colusa area on Monday April 15th. Can I say a “wide open” striper immediately ensued.

The poorly timed release of juvenile chinook salmon by Coleman Fish Hatchery was bad for the baby salmon, but great for the striper fishing. There’s nothing that gets the striper bite going like the arrival of salmon smolts. The entire river came alive this past Monday when the smolt arrived. Fishing guides like Ryan Tripp (ryantrippsguideservice) reported seeing striped bass boiling on salmon smolt in several locations North of Colusa on Monday. The entire striped bass fishing guide fleet took part in the easy pickings. It didn’t matter what your style or technique for striper fishing was, because it all worked. The guides fishing live minnows creamed them. The guides trolling plugs smashed them. The guides casting swimbaits crushed them. I’m not certain how the cut bait guys did but we’ll go ahead and just say they killed it too. Action was wide spread, covering over thirty miles of the Sacramento River. Spanning from Butte City, Ca to Tisdale, Ca ( on a side note Tisdale Boat Launch is supposed to open to the public this coming Friday April 19th). Tens of thousands of striped bass went on a full feeding frenzy this week. Gobbling up tens or maybe even hundreds of thousands of critically important juvenile fall chinook salmon that were headed out to the Pacific Ocean to grow. All the striped bass in this thirty mile stretch of river have been blinded by the free meal thrown their way this week. Making the catching of these striped bass somewhat of a breeze.

Tanner Carrick of TC Guide Service jumped in on the action this week. He and his crew posted up and wrecked shop on the feeding stripers. Finding very solid action every evening this past week. Mike, his brother Matt, and Sam accompanied Carrick in his pursuit of catching big number of striped bass. They found their home grounds down river near the town of Grimes, Ca. Casting swimbaits before dark each evening as stripers worked the smolt over on the surface of the river on the long gravel flats on this section of river. The Sneaky Pete gliders from G-Ratt Baits were clipped on after dark. Carrick’s favorite way to target the linesides. Tanner reported 30-50 striped bass to the boat during each outing over the past week. With a thirty pound hen he released while trolling a P-Line Predator on a rock wall in the area. While Carrick chose to venture down river for this annual event. Most of the fast action stayed north of Colusa and most of the heavy boat traffic stayed with it.

As of Thursday April 18, 2024 this salmon smolt driven fishing action is still taking place. Although quickly loosing momentum. It may possibly last into the weekend. Giving more opportunity to all the weekend anglers. For those of you anglers who are only able to fish the weekend. It is essential to have the proper tackle, and baits that are catching the striper any given time. Kittles Outdoor & Sports in Colusa, Ca has all of these things. With a knowledgeable staff that stays up on the real time happenings of the striped bass. A half of a block away from Kittles is the City Of Colusa boat launching facility. Where much of the striper action is taking place. The Colusa State Park is connected to the city boat launching facility and is where the majority of boaters park their trucks and trailers while out on the river. The annual guides association striper derby will also be held at the State Park this coming weekend.

Is this peak striper season on the Sacramento River? Absolutely yes, it has nearly reached its peak. So don’t put off going striper fishing any longer if you haven’t already gone. The time is now. If you have been out previously this season, come back. Now’s the time! The NCGASA is hosting a striper derby this weekend. April 20, 21. Make sure to stop by the Colusa State Park and show your support by joining the organization that helps fight countless battles on behalf of the local sportsman. Hire a guide, or fuel up your boat, or maybe go cut out a bank spot. Just don’t wait for the season to get any better. It’s time.

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.