Primarily the salmon fishing action has headed North to the “Barge Hole” where the majority of fall run chinook salmon have headed following the several days of on and off rain that hit Northern California a little over a week and a half ago. Raising the river just enough to trigger the instinctual drive to migrate up river to their final stage of migration. Spawning! For the most part the salmon left the lower river where most of the recreational and sport fishing guides were engaged in daily salmon fishing trips. Where the salmon had staged in this part of the Sacramento River from Hamilton City, Ca up to the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. Now this stretch of river is essentially a ghost town and most salmon fishing efforts have completely stopped and the focus of salmon fishing has turned to the world famous “Barge Hole” near Cottonwood, Ca. The Barge Hole is located at the mouth of Battle Creek where Coleman National Fish Hatchery resides only a few miles up the creek from its confluence with the Sacramento River. Making the Barge Hole the final stop for all hatchery bound chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Action kicked off immediately after the rains. The hole loaded up with salmon that were congregated for up to 75 miles down river. Limits have been the rule in the Barge Hole for the past week and a half and is certainly is the place to be concerning salmon fishing in Northern California at the current time. With the Feather River above Live Oak, Ca closing including the “Outlet Hole” in Oroville, Ca most of the attention has quickly turned to the Barge Hole on the Sacramento River. Salmon fishing guides who were spread out during the previous part of the salmon season have all converged in or around the Barge Hole for the remainder of the fall run chinook salmon season. Or until the next major rain event in Northern California which will empty out the Barge Hole as it did to the lower Sacramento River less then two weeks ago. So the time is ticking to get in on some of the best salmon fishing the Sacramento River has seen in a handful of years. If you haven’t already done so.

Sacramento River fishing guide Mike Rasmussen with a Late Fall Run Chinook salmon he caught on a solo mission on October 14, 2018 while fishing the lower Sacramento River looking around for these brand new arrivals. He was back bouncing this Yakima Bait Company Mag Lip www.yakimabait.com wrapped with sardine when this chrome king smashed his plug.

The Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon, a separate and genetically different run of chinook salmon have started making their way up the Sacramento River. Every year as the fall run chinook salmon wind down, a much smaller run of king salmon start to show up in the Sacramento River. This run of the much more aggressive chinook salmon have starting their annual migration out of the saltwater and into the Sacramento River. Where they waist no time heading up river. Showing up dime bright and eager to smash a properly fished plug (Flatfish, Kwikfish). Jigs and cured salmon roe will also work for these chrome chinooks, although it seems a freshly wrapped plug still takes precedence. Fishing guides fishing down river have had mixed daily success. But for the most part limits have been accomplished during a full days effort. Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike’s Guide Service and salmonsacriver.com reported solid action during the beginning of last week, with exceptionally bright salmon making it the the net. Where during the end of last week most of his bites were coming later in the afternoon and some darker fish were being caught. “Every day is a new day right now as we enter a full moon phase” says Rasmussen. Typically making salmon migrate to desired destinations. Depending on maturity. Out with the old! In with the new! Pretty much sums it up.

Salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen with a bright king salmon he caught last week on the Sacramento River. Good fish are still being caught as they move through the Sacramento River system.

Johny Eller and Cole Barnes of Corning, Ca put this 32 pound Late Fall toad in the boat last week as a push of four year old male chinook salmon came through the lower Sacramento River. Johny used a K16 Kwikfish to hook this beast.

With some really nice and bright salmon making their way through the lower river and many more on their way, fishing guides Mike Rasmussen and salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs sacramentofishing.com gear up for the Late Fall Run Chinook salmon. The best and biggest chinooks of the year. Guided salmon fishing trips during November, and December can very in location on the Sacramento River depending on weather and river conditions. Some guided salmon fishing trips may take place early in the season near Colusa, Ca or Tisdale, Ca but may end up taking place at Cottonwood, Ca as the season gets closer to its ending on December 16, 2018. Days get much shorter and both salmon fishing guides will typically use the entire day to track down the fast moving chrome Late Fall Run Kings. There is plenty of time to get out and catch the best salmon of the year. And doing it during the most scenic time of year on the Sacramento River as Fall colors fill the backgrounds of chrome salmon photos. To book a reservation for these unique guided salmon fishing trips call Mike Rasmussen 530-722-8876 or Dave Jacobs at 530-646-9110.

Oscar Nerey holds a dime bright hen late fall run chinook salmon he caught in the lower Sacramento River on October 17, 2018. Oscar was fishing with friend and salmon fishing guide Dakota Dienes from Corning, Ca. This late fall king salmon bit a sar… — Oscar Nerey holds a dime bright hen late fall run chinook salmon he caught in the lower Sacramento River on October 17, 2018. Oscar was fishing with friend and salmon fishing guide Dakota Dienes from Corning, Ca. This late fall king salmon bit a sardine wrapped K16 Kwikfish. Kwikfish like the one used to catch this chrome king salmon can be found at https://www.rapala.com .

Mike's Fishing Guide & Charter Service For Sacramento River Fishing targeting King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Striped Bass, Sturgeon, Shad And Trout the best Sacramento River Fishing guide and Sacramento River Charter on Sac River