Some pretty significant changes happened this past week on the Sacramento River here in Northern California. As far as salmon fishing is concerned anyways! A heavy migration of adult fall run chinook salmon plowed their way through the Sacramento River. Heading strait to the famous “Barge Hole” near Cottonwood, Ca. Taking the majority of the Sacramento River salmon fishing guides and salmon fishing charters with them. Moving the biggest majority of the salmon fishing action from the Woodson Bridge Boat Launch region of the Sacramento River. Up the Sacramento River to Roosters Landing in Anderson, Ca. This is traditionally where the majority of salmon fishing and salmon fishing guides for hire called home. A place rich in salmon fishing history, with enough salmon living in the Barge Hole and “Canyon” region, to accommodate the entire Sacramento River salmon fishing fleet. This is where the remainder of the 2019 fall run chinook salmon season will be spent for fishing guides and recreational anglers. The end of the road, so to speak, for the salmon fishermen of Northern California. Fishing will be excellent for the next several weeks to come. Limits of adult king salmon should be expected on a daily basis, as October rolls around. Local fishing guides settled in quickly, as they moved to the barge hole this past week. Long time and veteran salmon fishing guide Kirt Portocarrero owner of Outdoor Adventures Guide Service sacriverguide.com reported solid and consistent action for his clients at the Barge Hole this past week. Also suggesting that the salmon fishing is only getting better in the days/weeks to come.

Father (Sam) and Son (Gavin) hold up a pair of big buck chinook salmon they caught during a double hookup on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. The duo used cured salmon roe to catch this pair of kings and traveled from Nevada on a salmon fish… — Father (Sam) and Son (Gavin) hold up a pair of big buck chinook salmon they caught during a double hookup on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. The duo used cured salmon roe to catch this pair of kings and traveled from Nevada on a salmon fishing vacation.

On the other side of the Sacramento Valley., the Feather River near Oroville, Ca has turned on and can be considered wide open! Just about as red hot as salmon fishing can get in Northern California. What the Feather River lacked early in the 2019 salmon season, it has made up for in grand fashion this past week and a half. Salmon fishing reports in from Raith Heryford rhguideservice.com and Scott Feist feistyfish.net more then impressive on September 24, 2019. Both fishing guides were off the water by 8:30am with 14 king salmon a piece for their customers. Ryan Tripp SalmonSacRiver.com also reporting 10 kings in his fish box for his customers the same morning. About as wide open as it gets for Northern California salmon fishing. Action packed to say the least!

John Kirk from Southern California holds up one of his catches from his groups two day salmon fishing trip on the Feather River in Northern California.

The 2019 fall run chinook salmon season has reached its peak. And should continue to plateau at this elevated fishing level for the next few weeks. Maybe even for a full month to come. Only being brought to a halt by any significant rain event that may occur. Typically towards the end of October on the Sacramento River side of the valley. When such a rain event occurs big enough to raise Battle Creek where Colman National Fish Hatchery resides, the entire salmon population at the Barge Hole is sucked up Battle Creek to the hatchery. Literally ending the 2019 season overnight. The Feather River is less complicated. Salmon Fishing ends when the river closes to fishing. Historically this has been on October 15th. This year the river will stay open to the taking of Chinook Salmon until October 31, 2019. Very beneficial to the North State salmon fishing community. Thanks in large part to the efforts of the Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association https://ncgasa.org/ and President James Stone, who’s efforts helped get the salmon season extended in the upper portion of the Feather River.

Limits of Feather River King Salmon caught by salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp on September 24, 2019. Ryan and crew were fishing near Oroville, Ca on the Feather River.

If you are eager to get out on either of these Northern California river systems and catch King Salmon prime time salmon fishing awaits you. If you are not a DIY angler and would like to book a reservation with a local fishing guide. Opportunities do still exist! SalmonSacRiver.com salmon fishing charter has started taking reservations for a second daily guided fishing charter. Allowing more opportunities for customers wanting to return for a second or third trip this season! As for customers that have been turned away because of the lack of available dates by already fully booked fishing guides, if interested in joining in on a fully guided salmon fishing trip. Please call 530-722-8876.

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.