Feather River Salmon Fishing Report 7/24/25 “Opening Week’s Salmon Fishing Report”….
….for the Upper Feather River.
Featuring the famous “Outlet Hole” in Oroville, Ca, and the “Shanghai Rapids” in Yuba City, Ca.
The first week of Salmon fishing, in the last two years has come and gone. How was it? Well let’s find out….
July 16th was the opening day, of Salmon season on the Feather River in Oroville, California. Fishing at the Thermalito Outlet Hole was a success. It certainly could have been better, but it could’ve been worse to. All things considered, opening day showed promising signs, of the up coming prosperous Salmon season.
The predawn hours showed signs of anxious anglers, lining up to partake in the opening day event, at the famous Outlet Hole. Both red and green lights could be seen maneuvering around the hole. Long before daylight cracked, around a half a dozen boats, stayed on the Feather River, the night before opening day. Thus, securing their favorite anchor spot, and be in position to cast, the very second opening day started. That moment happened at 4:53 a.m. There were nearly 15 to 20 boats jockeying for position. All along the banks of the river, a multitude of ‘bank anglers’, perched on all sides of the Outlet Hole, started wading into the river water, anticipating their first cast in two years. The time had finally arrived.
At 4:54 a.m.; as the lures hit the water, it was instantly, ‘fish on’. The guide boats and recreational boaters, didn’t waste anytime hooking into the, holding King Salmon. Most of the boaters ended up with at least, an opportunity to catch at least one King Salmon. Penguins, fishing the west side of the Outlet Hole off of Vance Avenue, did the best. Ryan Tripp, a fishing guide, positioned himself deep in the Vance Avenue back eddy, along the white water discharge from the Afterbay. Ryan ended up limiting out with five king salmon, to the boat, by just after sunrise. Most other fishing guides, ended up with 3 to 4 salmon In their fish box, by mid morning. For the most part, the best fishing occurred, prior to Sunrise. Fishing fell apart quickly, after the sun rose into the sky. Fishing essentially died out as the day progressed. An estimated 25 to 40 KING Salmon, were pulled out of the Outlet Hole, on opening day.
The day following opening day, played out in typical, post opening day fashion. It was very tough fishing, throughout the remainder of the week. Only a handful of fish were caught daily, despite the 1000+ King Salmon swimming in the Outlet Hole. Whether, reported lower catch numbers, were due to angling pressure, or the warmer than usual river water temps, is not clear. Either way, the Fall Chinook Salmon at the Outlet Hole, are playing hard to get. It has been one of the worst cases, of ‘lock jaw’ I’ve ever seen.
Further downriver, to the south, on the Feather River, is Shanghai Rapids. This is the other fishing hole being highlighted, in today’s report. Unlike the more artificial, Outlet Hole; Shanghai Rapids is a naturally occurring, holding spot for the Salmon.
Shanghai Rapids, has plenty of deep water and a fast current, some of the Salmon will seek refuge here, ripening before they spawn. While other Salmon will head upriver, to finish their migration, at the Outlet Hole.
Shanghai Rapids is a popular spot for angler fishing, for both Striped Bass and Chinook Salmon. This season is no exception. Shanghai Rapids is located in Yuba City, California. Shanghai Rapids can be a very popular spot, gathering many anglers from all around the area. The mouth of the Yuba River, dumps into the Feather River just, upstream from Shanghai Rapids. This confluence of the rivers, mixes cool water into the Feather River system, making Shanghai Rapids an ideal place for migrating Salmon.
Reports from recreational anglers, targeting the Shanghai Rapids this past week, trickled in throughout the week. The highlight of the week, was from a group of recreational anglers, who posted up a photo, of a four man limit of shiny King Salmon. The King Salmon were caught trolling spinners, down hill around the Shanghai area. Other than that report, local anglers seemed to report, that one salmon per outing was the norm.
There is also, great trolling water below the rapids, down by the power lines, where the, the Jimmy Zanoko Memorial is located. Despite the vast Salmon trolling waters in this region, you will still find the majority of anglers using the spike (anchor). Waiting on the migrating King Salmon, to come to them.
With the first week of Salmon season already behind us, many anglers have set their sights, on the next full moon (August 9). This is when, the largest push of Fall Chinook Salmon, will start to arrive in the, Upper Feather River. This will improve the fishing tremendously, from its current status of ‘rough’.
Tight lines to everybody. I hope to see you out there, enjoying the return of California’s inland salmon fishing. Stay tuned for upcoming fishing reports.