After not seeing a drop of rain in Northern California for the entire month of January, we now face a drenching atmospheric river system. With several atmospheric rivers currently hitting and forecasted to continue to impact Northern California in the next few days. Expect most Northern California waterways to be put out of commission for at least a week or two once the wet weather has passed. Sidelining anglers throughout the north state, and putting a halt to the Winter Striped Bass fishing on the Sacramento River. As well as the steelhead fishing on the majority of the North Coast river systems. With the exception of the mighty Smith River which is known to be fishable for steelhead in almost any condition.

Just as the Sacramento River had cleared throughout the typical winter striped bass fishing grounds, and river anglers were having moderate to good success with the oversized stripers. This series of storms brought it all to a screeching halt. The Sacramento River forecast for the river water levels looks bleak to say the least. NOAA (Northern Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) is forecasting the Sacramento River at Woodson Bridge to surpass flood stage at 181 stage feet. Peaking out at 184 stage feet on February 4, 2025 around 8:00pm. Bringing the Sacramento River levels up to as high as they have reached this season. Putting the Sacramento River and its anglers out of business for the better part of two weeks.

The Eel River at Scotia, Ca is forecasted to have about the same outcome as the Sacramento River this week. Nearly reaching flood stage itself. Eel River water accumulations running down river past Scotia at over 145,000 cfs (cubic feet per second), or 34 stage feet. Stopping the productive steelhead fishing that had been taking place on the main Eel River from the confluence of the Middle and South Fork Eel River near Redcrest, Ca, downriver to Rio Del, Ca. Putting this steelhead fishery out of commission until much later this month. Providing the rain completely stops this week and does not continue for several weeks to come. Basically if you were lucky enough to partake in the steelhead fishing on the main stem Eel River prior to this series of storms. Consider yourself just that, “lucky”. As this section of the Eel River may not see anymore green water while this steelhead season is relevant. It is completely weather depending and at best a guess weather steelhead fishing will again take place this season on the lower part of this river system.

As usual under these extremely wet circumstances in the North State, river anglers are left with very few fishing options. There is always the Smith River near Crescent City, Ca in Del Norte County if you are into the steelhead fishing scene. Challenging but very rewarding this river will fish at any river level except the very peak of flood stage. Which it is not forecasted to even come close to during these atmospheric river events. Far from actually! NOAA’s river forecast for the Smith River puts it at around 12 stage feet as it peaks out from these storms. This river level is actually very conducive for bank fishermen, and allows for drift boat fishermen to safely “plunk” from their drift boats until river levels drop to 10 stage feet. When drift boaters can start side drifting bait or soft beads for winter steelhead. If it’s steelhead you are looking for this is the place to be in the coming week or two. Contact steelhead fishing guide Ryan Tripp if you are looking for a guided fishing trip on the Smith River. If you are the extreme outdoor adventure seeker, ask fishing guide Ryan Tripp about his white water steelhead fishing charters that take place on both forks of the upper Smith River. Using a self bailing raft. He is the only steelhead fishing charter that offer these high adrenaline, and highly productive steelhead fishing trips (ryantrippsguideservice.com)(530-635-3719). Photo below compliments of Ryan Tripp’s Guide Service. A upper Smith River raft trip from January 2025.

Anglers in the Sacramento Valley who want to get out after the big winter striped bass have the California Delta as about the only option for the DIY fishermen. You also have the option to take part in the catch and release sturgeon fishing in the delta waters. Which I understand is pretty good fishing currently. If you are looking for a fishing guide to book for these big North State striped bass. RH Guide Service is your best bet for the next two weeks. As Ray may have good water to fish in his home waters. You can find RH Guide Service on Facebook or give him a call at 530-870-2697. Photo Compliments RH Guide Service on Facebook. January 2025!

The Sacramento River from the Hwy 162 bridge in Butte City down river to the city of Sacramento, Ca is now closed to the fishing for white sturgeon. This includes the very popular Colusa, Ca and Knights Landing, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Sadly this is another fishery we will likely never see come back to the Sacramento River. For any of the readers who would like to book a sturgeon fishing trip Golden State Sport Fishing and Captain Joe Gamez are still doing fully guided sturgeon trips in the California Delta. Joe can be reached at 209-855-1487. Tight Lines Everyone

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.