Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report For May 4, 2026 “The Return Of The King”

May 04, 2026 by Mike Rasmussen in Sacramento River Fishing , Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Sacramento River, NorCal fishing report, Fishing Report , fishing report photograph, Fishing Guide, fishing charter, Feather River Salmon, Salmon, salmon fishing, Salmon Fishing Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Salmon Fishing Report

Are you all ready for the good news or the good news? According to the president of the NorCal Guides and Sportsmans Association’s (NCGASA) James Stone, we will be having a full salmon season on Northern California’s Sacramento River this season. James has openly proclamed the intent of California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to announce a full salmon season returning to the Sacramento River in 2026. This would include a July 16, 2026 opening day on the Sacramento River below Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca. Followed by an August 1, 2026 opening day above Woodson Bridge. Which includes the famous Barge Hole in Cottonwood, California. The seasons will close on December 16 for the section of river below Woodson Bridge, and a season closure of December 31, 2026 above Woodson Bridge. A six month long salmon season. In addition to the return of a full Salmon season on the Sacramento River, a two salmon per person daily bag limit would also be granted by CDFW. So basically folk we are returning to a normal Fall Chinook Salmon season on the Sacramento River. With the exception of one subtle change.

For those of you who have fished the Sacramento River in the years past, you may have caught the fact that I mentioned the location for the July 16, 2026 opening day will take place from Woodson Bridge south, or down river. So for all your anglers who have historically fished below the Red Bluff diversion dam in Red Bluff, California. You will now have to make new plans to fish below Woodson Bridge on the salmon opener.Some of you are wondering why this location change was made by CDFW. The decision to change the demarcation line for opening day has solid reasoning behind it, and in fact was implemented prior to the closure in 2023. For those unaware between Corning, California and Red bluff, California on the east side of the Sacramento Valley are three cold water tributaries of the Sacramento River. These tributaries have hosted Spring Run Chinook Salmon in their waters for thousands and thousands of years. Due to a rapid decline in Spring Chinook numbers in these three tributaries (Deer, Mill, and Antelope Creeks) the Spring Chinook Salmon have made the endangered species list. Without getting into great detail about run timing and other naturally occurring events. Let me say this is the reason of concern with having a Red Bluff diversion dam opening day on July 16th as we have historically had. The specific concern by the department is that the endangered Spring Run Chinook Salmon that are unable to gain access to their tributaries in the spring, due to low water flows in the Sacramento River and these tributaries. Leaves these Spring Run Chinook Salmon stuck in the Sacramento River where they can be incidentally caught by anglers who are targeting Fall Chinook Salmon after the season opens in mid July. In my opinion, there is good reasoning and logic behind this decision by CDFW. However with that being said this regulation change will do very, very little to nothing to save, preserve, or rebuild the endangered spring run salmon that swim in these unique tributaries. Great idea but two decades too late. What the department has allowed to happen to these specific runs of chinook salmon historically can not be mitigated through incidental “bycatch” regulation. Never the less in the big picture this regulation change is trivial at best. After three years without a opening day of salmon season on the Sacramento River, I’m sure most of you would agree this is something we can look past to be back on the water.

It’s been three years since Sacramento River salmon fishing was declared a federal disaster. Leading to a three year salmon season shutdown in all of California. Keeping anglers off their waters for what seems to have been forever. Apparently that is all about to change on July 16, 2026. We’re going to be back in action and this season couldn’t start soon enough. For all you river anglers it’s time to dig out those Kwikfish and dust them off, and maybe check for freezer burn on your cured roe if you still have any. Spool those rods and tie up those roe leaders, it’s go time folks. Once again jet boats will be heard tearing up and down the Sacramento River. Memories will be made, and traditions will be passed down. King Salmon will again become a boost to local economies along the Sacramento River and in Northern California as a whole.

If history repeats itself like it generally tends to, we as anglers should be in for one heck of a season. As some of you OG NorCal salmon anglers may remember, the first ever salmon season closure in 2008, 2009, and 2010 was followed by a wide open 2011 season. So the past has proven that a three year closure will result in an over abundance when the season has reopened on the fourth year. So expectations should remain high for this upcoming season. It is very likely going to be outstanding fishing.

The official word is going to be made public on May 6, 2026 from my understanding. To book a reservation for your own private salmon fishing charter please contact us by phone at 530-722-8876. Or reach out on this website by filling out a submission form and we will contact you shortly. Tight Lines.

Feather River Salmon Fishing Report 7/1/2025

Mike’s Guide Service

July 09, 2025 by Mike Rasmussen in salmon fishing report, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River, Fishing Report , fishing charter, Sacramento River Fishing, sacramento river fishing, Fishing Report, Sacramento River, Fishing Guide, California water, Sacramento River Fishing , Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, chinook salmon, fishing report photograph, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, NorCal fish report, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Northern California salmon, Salmon, fishing report, Sac River guide, Feather River Fishing, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report

We are only one week away from being back on the salmon fishing grounds. Who else can’t wait?

California’s Smith River Is Open To Salmon Fishing In 2024… And We Are Booking Reservations Now!

Mikes Guide Service

July 13, 2024 by Mike Rasmussen in Fishing Report, fishing charter, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, Salmon Fishing Guides, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report, smith river salmon fishing, smith river fishing, smith River, spring run chinook salmon , Feather River Fishing, fishing report, Sac River guide, Salmon, Butte Creek Salmon, Trinity River, mill creek, Ca , Northern California salmon, Charter, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, NorCal fish report, fishing report photograph, salmon kill off, chinook salmon, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Charter, salmon restoration , Rogue River Fishing, chinook salmon restoration , California water, Rogue River Salmon Fishing , Fishing Guide, save our salmon, Dead Chinook Salmon, Feather River, Trinity River Fishing, Trinity River , Rogue River Fishing Report, Sacramento River, Sacramento River Fishing

Angler can expect to experience first class salmon fishing on this California river system. Lots of action, big salmon, and plenty of them. Join us by booking today

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report 10/8/22 “Finally they arrive!”

Mike’s Guide Service

October 09, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in sacramento river fishing, Sacramento River, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing charter, fishing report , Fishing Report , Feather River, Fishing Guide, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, chinook salmon, Sac River Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, salmon fishing, NorCal fish report, salmon fishing report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Northern California salmon, Salmon, fishing report, Sac River guide, Feather River Fishing, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report

Amanda Gradney gets it done with a fine king salmon to show for her efforts pulling plugs.

Sacramento River Dying Salmon Crisis 9/27/2022 “for 24 consecutive days, dead salmon float by”

Mike’s Guide Service

September 26, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in Sacramento River, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing charter, Fishing Report, striper fishing, sacramento river fishing, Fishing Report , water blog, Feather River, Dead Chinook Salmon, save our salmon, Fishing Guide, California water, chinook salmon restoration , salmon restoration , Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, Salmon Die Off, chinook salmon, salmon kill off, Sac River Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, NorCal fish report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, water diversion , Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, endangered salmon, Northern California salmon, Salmon, fishing report, Sac River guide, Feather River Fishing, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report

A dying Fall Run Chinook Salmon is photographed in its last moments of life.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report 9/18/22 “Salmon are on the move”

Mike’s Guide Service

September 16, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in sacramento river fishing, Sacramento River Fishing, Sacramento River, Fishing Report , fishing charter, Fishing Report, fishing report , Feather River, Dead Chinook Salmon, save our salmon, Fishing Guide, Salmon Fishing Report , Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Charter, chinook salmon restoration , salmon restoration , california salmon, Salmon Die Off, chinook salmon, Sac River Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, NorCal fish report, steelhead blog, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Northern California salmon, Salmon, Sac River guide, fishing report, fishing charter service , Feather River Fishing, spring run chinook salmon , NorCal fishing report

Sacramento River salmon fishing has finally reached its expectations for 2022.

SACRAMENTO RIVER SALMON FISHING REPORT 9/5/22 - “Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the salmon are coming…”

Mike’s Guide Service

September 04, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in sacramento river fishing, Sacramento River, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, Fishing Report , Feather River, Fishing Guide, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, chinook salmon, Sac River Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, NorCal fish report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Northern California salmon, Charter, Salmon, fishing report, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report, Feather River Fishing, Sac River guide, water diversion , California water, save our salmon, Dead Chinook Salmon, fishing report

Ryan Tripp’s Guide Service shocked the social media platforms this past week with a whopping fourteen salmon creel for his seven guests. The biggest boat limits in freshwater this season to date.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report August 24, 2022 “The struggle is real..”

Mike’s Guide Service

August 24, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in Sacramento River, sacramento river fishing, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, Salmon Fishing Report , salmon fishing, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, NorCal fish report, salmon fishing report, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Northern California salmon, fishing report, Salmon, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report, Feather River Fishing, Sac River guide, fishing report photograph, Sac River Fishing Report, chinook salmon, california salmon, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Charter, chinook salmon restoration , salmon restoration , Fishing Guide, save our salmon, Feather River, Fishing Report , fishing report

Tom and his wife Julie joined SalmonSacRiver on August 20, 2022 for a Rainbow Trout/King Salmon fishing trip on the Sacramento River. Here Tom is photographed holding a hefty chinook salmon be caught using cured salmon roe.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report August 14, 2022 “Barge Hole Opener Doesn’t Disappoint…”

August 14, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in sacramento river fishing, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing charter, Salmon Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Charter, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, NorCal fish report, Salmon Fishing Guides, Charter, Northern California salmon, Salmon, fishing report, Feather River Fishing, fishing charter service , NorCal fishing report, Sac River Fishing Report, chinook salmon, california salmon, Feather River Salmon, Fishing Guide, save our salmon, Feather River, fishing report , Fishing Report , Sacramento River

Legendary West Coast fishing guide John Klar battles a opening day king salmon at the world famous Barge Hole in Northern California.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report For July 28, 2022 “Inland Salmon Opener Is A Bust”

July 28, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in NorCal fishing report, Sacramento River Fishing, Sacramento River, sacramento river fishing, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Fishing Report , fishing report , Feather River, Fishing Guide, California water, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , california salmon, chinook salmon, fishing report photograph, Sac River Fishing Report, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, NorCal fish report, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Northern California salmon, endangered salmon, Salmon Fishing Guides, Charter, fishing report, Sac River guide, Feather River Fishing, fishing charter service

The few salmon that are sneaking by lower river anglers are beautiful.

Northern California Fishing Report 2/10/22 - “And The Drought Continues”

Mike’s Guide Service

February 10, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in fishing report, fishing charter service , Striped Bass Fishing Report, Striped Bass Fishing, steelhead fishing report, NorCal fishing report, winter steelhead fishing , Rainbow Trout, Northern California salmon, Salmon Fishing Guides, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Sacramento River, sturgeon fishing report, sacramento river fishing, Fishing Report , striped bass fish report, fishing report , Sacramento River Sturgeon, striper fishing, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, Fishing Guide, steelhead fishing, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Sturgeon Fishing, White Sturgeon, steelhead, Sac River Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, Striped Bass, salmon fishing, Trophy Striped Bass, steelhead blog, salmon fishing report, NorCal fish report, Charter

This bruiser buck steelhead was caught by a guest of fishing guide Ryan Tripp. The low flows haven’t slowed down the steelhead action for Tripp. A very successful week was had on the North Coast this past week.

Sacramento River Salmon Need Your Support! January 21, 2022 “Open Minds Make For Tight Lines”

Mikes Guide Service

January 21, 2022 by Mike Rasmussen in chinook salmon restoration , chinook salmon, california salmon, endangered salmon, NorCal fishing report, Salmon Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Charter, fishing report, Dead Chinook Salmon, Sacramento River, NorCal fish report, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, sacramento river fishing, fishing charter, fishing report photograph, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing report , Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Guides, Charter, Rainbow Trout, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Die Off, Northern California salmon, salmon restoration , deer creek, ca, mill creek, Ca , save our salmon

California chinook salmon on the Sacramento River need your support. Struggling chinook salmon are having more difficulties every year.

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.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report December 3, 2021 - “Late Fall Kings”

Mike’s Guide Service

December 03, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in NorCal fishing report, Salmon Fishing Report , Sacramento River Fishing Charter, fishing charter, Sacramento River Fishing, Fishing Report, sacramento river fishing, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, NorCal fish report, Sacramento River, Salmon Fishing Guides, Fishing Report , Salmon, fishing report , Fishing Guide, Sac River guide, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Fishing, Feather River Salmon, Feather River, fishing charter service , fishing report, Charter, fishing report photograph, Sac River Fishing Report

Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon like the ones photographed in this fishing report are being caught daily on the Sacramento River. It’s a excellent time to adventure into the Northern California’s waterways and see how much they have to offer.

SACRAMENTO RIVER SALMON FISHING REPORT - 11/1/21 “DIRTY WATERS”

Mikes Guide Service

November 01, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in NorCal fishing report, fishing charter service , fishing report, Sacramento River, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing report photograph, sacramento river fishing, NorCal fish report, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Fishing Report , Salmon, fishing report , Feather River, Fishing Guide, Sac River guide, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Fishing, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report

Chris drove up North from Sacramento, Ca to get his hands on his limit of king salmon prior to Northern California’s rivers blowing out.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report August 7, 2021/Salmon Opener Success

Mike’s Guide Service

August 07, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in fishing report , NorCal fish report, fishing charter service , Salmon Fishing Report , Fishing Guide, NorCal fishing report, fishing report, Feather River, Salmon, Charter, Sacramento River, salmon fishing report, salmon fishing, sacramento river fishing, Fishing Report, fishing report photograph, Sac River Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, Salmon Fishing Guides, Sacramento River Fishing Charter, Feather River Salmon, Feather River Fishing, Salmon Fishing Charter, Sac River guide, Fishing Report , fishing charter, Rainbow Trout

We are having a exceptional start to the 2021 salmon season on the Sacramento River. The upper Sacramento River is now open and plenty of dime bright king salmon are being caught daily.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report July 24, 2021 -Holy “Soft Bead”

July 24, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in NorCal fishing report, Salmon Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Charter, fishing report, Fishing Guide, Salmon, Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Guides, Charter, Sacramento River, sacramento river fishing, fishing report photograph, fishing charter, Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, Sac River Fishing Report, salmon fishing, salmon fishing report, Sac River guide, Feather River Fishing, Feather River Salmon, Rainbow Trout, fishing charter service

The B&R Tackle Co. soft bead is quickly becoming a very popular artificial salmon bait. Fishing guide approved!

Northern California Salmon Fishing Report July 10, 2021

July 10, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in NorCal fishing report, Fishing Report, salmon fishing report, Sacramento River, sacramento river fishing, fishing charter, Sac River Fishing Report, Sacramento River Fishing, fishing report photograph, salmon fishing, Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, Fishing Report , Salmon, Feather River, Fishing Guide, fishing report, Salmon Fishing Charter, Feather River Fishing, Feather River Salmon, Salmon Fishing Report , fishing charter service

California’s King Salmon are feeding heavily on giant bait balls of anchovies. As shown here on Captain John McGee’s sonar. Pictured are the hard marks of king salmon sitting above a school of bait so dense it appears on the sonar as the bottom.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report/2021 NorCal Drought Monitor

July 04, 2021 by Mike Rasmussen in Salmon Fishing Charter, Sacramento River, fishing charter, Sacramento River Fishing, Fishing Report , Salmon Fishing Report , NorCal fishing report, Feather River Fishing, Feather River Salmon, fishing report, Fishing Guide, Feather River, Salmon, Salmon Fishing Guides, salmon fishing, fishing report photograph, fishing charter service

Some experts are calling for a ten year drought here in Northern California. It’s hard to believe our major waterways will be squeezed even tighter in the years to come. The state’s largest reservoirs sucked dry by thirsty agricultural planted hundreds of miles to the south. In the central and southern portions of the golden state. The Central Valley Water Project and the exporting of stored water for big agricultural, has become big money. Unable to compete with the special interest groups, lobbyists, lawmakers, and politicians. The salmon industry has had to rely on our state and federal hatchery programs to produce, a let’s say a...”struggling run”, at best. As the state and federal hatcheries have to produce salmon by law (ordered by the courts for the loss of habitat due to the construction of Shasta and Oroville Dams). They don’t have to do a good job doing so. Hatchery release practices of juvenile salmon by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colman National Fish Hatchery (on the Sac side) in the last decade, have been questionable to say the least.

Lake Oroville photographed from the Highway 70 bridge on June 25, 2021.

So here we are entering summers hottest months with our reservoirs already so low that 80% of boat launches in NorCal reservoirs are unusable. It is predicted that come fall, Northern California’s Lake Oroville will reach the lowest level seen since the construction of the 770’ earth filled dam was completed in 1968. Water temperatures will then likely rise in the Feather River downstream of Oroville Dam. Causing lethal water temperatures for spawning salmon. Which arrive during the late summer months and into the early fall. When historically the states second largest reservoir will reach its lowest level. Putting extensive strain on a already struggling salmon fishery. A fishery so rich with salmon fishing history, it’s hard to believe it struggles to produce consistent runs of hatchery raised chinook salmon in these modern times. Hosting the second largest run of Fall Run Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento Valley. As well a separate run of Spring Run Chinook Salmon. The Feather River two decades ago was for the most part a year round fishery. Only closing for two short winter months. Famous salmon fishing spots like the notorious “Outlet Hole”, were stuffed with king salmon. The hundreds of anglers who lined the banks fishing the turbulent waters of the Thermilito, Ca discharge (aka “Outlet Hole”), caught salmon by the hundreds. On a daily basis mind you. I myself frequently bank fished this unique location as a younger angler. While in my late teens and early twenties. Prior to owning a jet boat, and discovering the guide for hire business. A little over two decades ago now. On a average day of “combat fishing” (coined by the chaos, occasional fist fight, stabbing, or drowning) it was common to hook up twenty or maybe thirty king salmon on every outing. The limit was even three salmon in possession for some time. A far cry from today’s twenty or thirty salmon hooked between all the bank anglers combined. The Feather River flowed with a much higher volume of water. When wading in the turbulent waters of the outlet hole some twenty years ago, your legs would become numb from the cold water. The places we waded, stood, and fished from back then, are now exposed gravel bars. The water is now much warmer to the touch, there is far less of it, and its getting worse every season. The warmer river water has made the Feather River become sterile of successfully spawning Fall Run Chinook Salmon. The Spring Run Chinook Salmon are almost nonexistent, and anglers are no longer aloud to target this particular run of Feather River King Salmon. The State Run Fish Hatchery is all that’s left to produce salmon in this river system, and that hasn’t proven to be effective in sustaining a solid run of salmon in my opinion. To most anglers who don’t know the details or history of this Northern California river system, it may seem as though this fishery is in “ok” standing. I can assure you, it is not. The Feather River will certainly be put to the test later this season as Lake Oroville reaches record low levels. It is likely we will not know the outcome of the damages done by this seasons extreme drought, for three year to come. As the majority of King Salmon do not enter the fresh water river systems until after spending three years in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. We shall wait and see...

Lake Oroville shown from a NASA satellite image in July 2019 (left) and again in June 2021 (right). Depicting the significant water loss from two rainless NorCal winters.

This NASA satellite image shows the significant loss of water storage between July 2019 and June 2021. Only two short years and Shasta Lake has dropped to 43% of storage capacity.

The Sacramento River is faced with similar circumstances, if experts predictions are accurate. Lake Shasta near Redding, Ca, the states largest reservoir. Is also in dire straits as far as water storage is concerned. Lake Shasta is currently at 41% of its capacity. Down 106 feet from the same time two years ago in 2019. This according to NASA, who monitors California’s drought situation from satellite images. Most of the lakes easily accessible boat launch facilities are unusable and closed to the launching boats. Due to lake levels dropping far below the bottom of the concrete boat ramps. Summer has just begun here in Northern California. Typically the spring run off from the mountain snow pack is still filling up the enormous reservoir. In the lakes current condition it’s rumored that by fall the lake will be the lowest witness in my forty three years of life here in NorCal. Shasta lake reaching its all time low in the 1976-1977 drought. Along with Lake Oroville. Which currently resides at 34% of capacity. Sitting only forty seven feet above the historic all time low in September 1977.

The famous “Outlet Hole” during the 2017 salmon season on the Feather River, near Oroville, Ca.

Bank anglers wading in the waters of the Outlet Hole on the Feather River in Oroville, Ca.

The fight for water here in the Golden State is well underway. Has been! It’s about to get “real” as they say. Unfortunately for our NorCal sportsmen, salmon will come last in the fight for water. Simply because they generate the least amount of revenue in this states diverse, and demanding economy. Sadly, the mighty dollar will win every time. The salmon, well.... my guess is they will be left fighting to stay off the endangered species list, or worse. Assuming things shape up according to how drought experts have predicted. If there is any glimmer of hope for the states reservoir conditions. It would have to be the fact that all this could and will go away with one big wet winter. I’ll certainly be keeping my fingers cross on behalf of the hope for a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter.

The 2021 King Salmon season on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers will open on July 16, 2021. Only two short weeks away. This years salmon run into Northern California waterways will not have been affected by the drought conditions that started in 2019. Our salmon fishing charter service is expecting a solid run of Pacific Ocean chinook salmon for our clients to have a blast catching, and enjoy eating. Fishing guide Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon reported seeing a few bright king salmon jumping in the deeper holes of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge boat launch this week. Located just a few miles east of Corning, Ca. A popular boat launch during salmon season. Most of the chrome bright kings that will be caught on opening day (July 16, 2021), have just now started their migration from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. With the onset of this full moon phase we are passing through currently, the king salmon instinctually gather outside the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. For up to a week prior to the full moon. Without notice the schools of chinook salmon that have gathered to migrate into the Sacramento Valley waterways, will vanish. They will quickly move up the river systems at a pace of up to twenty two miles a day. Blasting through the potentially fatal warm water temperatures of the lower Sacramento River, Until finally reaching desirable river conditions in which they will reside for several months. Waiting to eventually spawn in the Fall.

Katie and Abby Rasmussen out fishing with their father, fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of fishing charter SalmonSacRiver. Abby lands a Sacramento River King Salmon as her sister Katie watches on. Sacramento River fishing guide Ryan Tripp nets the salmon.

Opening Day (July 16, 2019) on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca. Captain John Pearl prepares to net a king salmon Amanda Gradney has on the line.

Reports from the salt water captains working out of the marinas surrounding the San Francisco Bay have been positive. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing (a established “six pack” fishing charter service) reported that the commercial salmon vessels up North, fishing out of Bodega Bay, Ca. Crushed the king salmon prior to June 26, 2021 sport fishing season opening day. A very positive sign for the season to come. And now we wait!

Mike Rasmussen put Bruce and Bryce on some great king salmon during todays salmon opener near Red Bluff California.

Sacramento River salmon fishing report July 2020

July 16, 2020 by Mike Rasmussen in Sacramento River, salmon fishing, Salmon Fishing Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, salmon fishing report, NorCal fishing report, Fishing Guide, fishing report, fishing charter, Feather River Salmon, Feather River Fishing, Feather River, Charter

After fishing salmon and steelhead for the last six or so weeks every single day, we have gotten the best plugs fine tuned, the best bait combos worked out and the salmon roe cured and ready to fish! The Sacramento, American and Feather Rivers have finally re opened this morning after a long six month closure and both rivers did not dissappoint. As soon as our old style Luhr Jensen Kwikfish and old t-55 Flatfish were finished being wrapped and marinated in our secret bait combinations the plugs were deployed to the rivers bottom just shy of 5am. Lift, bounce, tic..tic...POW...Fish on! We were fortunate to hook and land our first Sacramento Valley king salmon of the 2020 salmon season. Lucky for us we had a few hot sticks on the boat and quickly hooked up on a total of nine salmon, having three come unbuttoned during a viciuos fight and landing six fresh adult king salmon. Todays double digit pile of king salmon came to the net courtesy of Dave Jacobs, Ryan Tripp, Mike Rasmussen, Mike Tripp and Mike Tipton. The hot rod of the day was guide Mike Tripp with many kings hooked and landed this morning.

The Sacramento and Feather rivers are now open for a full season through December 31st on the Sacramento and October 31st on the Feather River. Anglers can hook and keep two adult salmon on the Sacramento River each day and three adult salmon over on the Feather River each day.

There has been fantastic salmon fishing reports coming in daily out of the salt, many fish and BIG fish! The salmon are beginning their upriver migration to their spawwning grounds and the salmon run in river will only build from here on out.

We have guided thousands of clients to the best king salmon fishing in Northern California and Southern Oregon. This is the time to give guide Dave Jacobs a call at (530)646-9110 to book your very own fully guided salmon fishing charter for the day. We are available seven days a week and can take all groups be it big or small. Dave Jacobs (530)646-9110…give us a call today!

Sacramento River Fishing Report June 14, 2020

June 14, 2020 by Mike Rasmussen in fishing charter, Fishing Guide, Sacramento River, Sacramento River Fishing, Salmon Fishing Charter, Salmon Fishing Guides, salmon fishing report, NorCal fishing report, fishing report photograph, fishing report, Feather River Fishing, Feather River, Feather River Salmon, Charter, American Shad

Currently the Sacramento river is temming with thousands upon thousands of large American shad. The shad have been migrating up the Sacramento River in large schools since May and solid shad fishing action will continue well into July. Anglers fishing various sections of the Sacramento River from Red Bluff California downriver through Colusa California are finding solid fishing action. Side drifting from anchor small brightly colored jigs tipped with a small curly tailed grub is all it takes to entice one of these hard fighting shad to bite. Colors like chartruese, hot pink, flame orange or champangne are all that are needed as reported by Sacramento River fishing guide Dave Jacobs.

Jacobs reports “There is alot of excitement buiding as we approach the re opening of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers salmon fishing season! With the extended salmon season and increased daily salmon limit on the Feather River many are preparing for a solid salmon opener.”

The Sacramento River will open to salmon fishing on July 16th 150 feet below the Sycamore boat launch in Red Bluff California. The upper Sacramento River will officially open on August 1st from the Red Bluff Diversion Dam up to the Deschutes Bridge in Anderson California. Daily salmon limits are (2) two king salmon per person with a total possession limit of four salmon per person. Over on the Feather River, the salmon season will also open on July 16th with a (3) three salmon per person daily limit.

**Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs hoists a whopping 43.5 pound Sacramento River salmon caught below Woodson Bridge California.**

Now is the time to book!

This is the perfect time to get the best Sacramento or Feather River salmon fishing trip booked in. The top guides and the peak salmon fishing dates are available now for you to choose from. We provide all of the top quality bait and tackle for your Sacramento River salmon charter. We will also professionally fillet and bag your catch for your return home. We have the top Sacramento and Feather river guides availble to take groups both large and small. Call (530) 646-9110 to reserve your Sacramento River salmon fishing guide today!