Sacramento River salmon fishing is officially back. As expected salmon anglers have been flocking to their local boat launches. Salmon fishing started off relatively slow to begin the season. Diminishing expectations of a wide open start to the 2026 salmon season. Even the upper Sacramento River season opener on August 1st wasn’t nearly as successful as many anglers, including myself anticipated. There may have been 30-40 salmon caught in the famous Barge Hole on opening day. Not saying much when a good opening day at the barge hole will see 300-500 king salmon be caught. There were no shortage of jet boats in attendance this year, packed as usual. The only thing was someone forgot to tell the salmon to show up.

Despite both opening days on the Sacramento River being a bust, anglers have continued to progressively catch more king salmon as the weeks draw further into the season. Traditionally the full moon event we just experienced should bring a serious push of ocean fresh king salmon into the Sacramento River and Feather River within the next 7-10 days. This would be a great relief for the abundance of NorCal salmon anglers who are waiting patiently for the salmon fishing to improve.

The “Outlet Hole” on the Feather River, and the “Barge Hole” on the Sacramento River have been a let down for the most part this season. Two salmon fishing destinations that typically have enough salmon to at least scratch out one or two king salmon for eager anglers. Unfortuntetly both locations have been leaving anglers blank on most outings. The best salmon fishing to date has been around Chico, Ca on the Sacramento River. Where anglers jerking jigs and backbouncing Kwikfish have had the most success. With Sacramento River water tempretures being ideal for migrating chinook salmon expect this area to continue pumping out fresh king salmon throughout the month of August. Or until river water conditions change on the Sacramento River.