The pair of California Sea Lions along with the cold unstable weather have moved on over the past few days. Allowing the striped bass to settle down and gather up on the Sacramento River. Making the fishing action more consistent for fishing guides and recreational anglers alike. The pair of sea lions that had shown up over the weekend had moved North of Colusa, Ca. Taking up a two day residency near the “reservation”. About nine river miles North of Colusa. Or about half way between Colusa and Butte City, Ca. The pair was witnessed hanging out around the Verona, Ca area last week as they likely followed the big school of migrating stripers from the California Delta. When the school of stripers left Verona, Ca on Wednesday of last week, the two sea lions left with them. Following the large school of stripers up the Sacramento River. By Friday evening the large school of stripers had started to arrive around the Colusa area. With the two fur bags right on their heals. Here some of the striped bass started to break off the pack and hold in all their favorite spots. Where awaiting female striped bass had already established their spawning locations and were awaiting the arrival of the smaller (schoolies) males. After scattering the striped bass in the Sacramento River above Colusa, the two fir bags headed back down river for easier fishing. Presumably heading back to the California Delta. Allowing the striped bass to settle down and come out of hiding.

Fishing charters and fishing guides have had much better and consistent success in the early part of this week. Accompanied by great weather conditions the stripers became very active over the past 48 hours. The river water temperatures on this section of the Sacramento River warmed up several degrees. Ranging from a surface temperature of 51 degrees over the weekend, to 54/55 degrees by Tuesday April 9, 2024. Causing the striped bass to get much more active. The live minnow bite really came around following the weekend boat traffic and cooler water temps. Even more so did the trolling bite. The more active stripers didn’t hesitate to jump all over the trolled plugs presented to them by some fishing charter operators like Robert Petty of North State Salmon. Who boxed eight keepers in a short time on Monday April 8, 2024. While fishing guide Ryan Tripp managed to box twelve keeper stripers for his boat load of clients. Who casted swimbaits for the hour prior to sunrise, before switching to live minnows to finish up their daily bag limit of two stripers over 18 inches in length for each of his clients. Long time striped bass fishing guide Arron Zanoko, son of the legendary Jimmy Zanoko from the Yuba City area also fished the Sacramento River the over the weekend. Putting his clients on limits of keeper striped bass North of Colusa, Ca on Sunday as weather conditions improved in the North State. On the recreational angling side of things, reports were mixed. I talked to a group of anglers who reported catching their ten keepers without traveling a mile from the Colusa City Boat Launch located near Kittles Outdoor & Sports. While other recreational anglers reported struggling to find even a fish per rod. Private angler Jason Hofinkee had no trouble snatching up a limit for himself and his father Rodney Hofinkee. Getting it done soaking sardines just above the Colusa State Park on Sunday April 7, 2024.

Expect night time fishing to pick up tremendously over the coming days/weeks. As warmer daytime temps make for more suitable conditions while staying out and fishing after dark. This is a great way to dodge the extremely heavy daytime boat traffic that has overtaken the Colusa, Ca area this past week. On a separate note be sure to support the NCGASA by entering in the annual striper derby put on by this organization. The derby takes place on the weekend of April 20/21, 2024. You can register on line or at the derby which will be hosted at the Colusa State Park. This event is a great time and supports local fisheries in Northern California. It is set up so anyone can win this event, as a target length is drawn randomly each morning. There is also a cash prize for the big fish category. For more information stop in Kittles Outdoor & Sports when you get into town. 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.