As the long summer days begin to dwindle down, it will be the reopening, of salmon season, albeit a somewhat altered season, here in Northern California. It’s hard not to start getting a little excited. This partial season is a far cry from what a NorCal salmon season looked like pre-closure. However, at this point we will take what we can get, and be grateful for it. I’m sure I speak for many anglers statewide when I say “it has been way too long”!

What will salmon season look like on the Feather River this year?

That is a very common question, I am frequently asked. Quite honestly, it is hard for me to judge, this year. There are several scenarios to consider on this topic; some are good, some are bad. I’ll let you readers come to your own conclusions after reading this blog.

I’ll present some facts on several key points of interest, and give you my personal feedback. I will offer some personal insights, from history repeating itself, during my 22 years as a salmon fishing guide, here in Northern California. Let’s dive into this pre-season outlook and see what we come up with.

I tend towards being a “glass half full” type of guy, finding the best in people, places, and things. However, I have learned through my experience, that you shouldn’t completely, ignore a “glass half empty” scenario. Doing so can lead to a shocking reminder, of how important it is to stay present, and vigilant. Frequently, assigning the ‘benefit of doubt’ to real life, no matter how positive a person’s outlook, can lead to sketchy outcomes, for the river and the wildlife within it.

What is the reality of our rivers’ health in Northern California?

It would be foolish to believe, the failure of/or the shortcomings from many implemented plans, can offset the promised future results. When your opposition has the power to control situations concerning our rivers’ environment, whether for better or worse, you are at the mercy of that controlling body, to some degree. That has been a continuing issue, for the Sacramento Valley Chinook Salmon. This rear naked choke, has suffocated fishing communities for some time now. The stranglehold will never loosen, when there are; millions and millions, and millions, of water dollars. This public and private funding is allotted to those who are willing to look past environmental, and conservation laws. Often allowing the faucets to be left wide open, while filling their pockets with greenbacks. While state and federal wildlife protection agencies, turn their heads to the wasteful water demands, of these ‘granted’ water contracts and policies. It is still plain to see this number one killer of the Sacramento and Feather River Fall Chinook Salmon has not been addressed, and continues to take its deadly toll as we speak.

What does a discussion on the number one killer of Sacramento Valley King (chinook) Salmon involve?

The discussion around exactly what and why, the biggest killer of Sacramento Valley King (chinook) Salmon, is best explained and discussed, in another blog. How and why, this problem still exists, after two years of river closure, is a pertinent issue for this blog.

This problem runs deeply into a rabbit hole of environmental violations, backdoor deals, and corruption. So, for a basic understanding of the problem at hand, let’s just say lethal water temperatures are infecting and killing the incoming Chinook Salmon. This occurs before they can make it far enough up the rivers, to find the cooler water, they need for survival and successful reproduction. Since 2021 the incoming fall Chinook Salmon have been getting held up in warmer water, infecting them with diseases, from which they eventually perish, all due to the lethal water conditions. They are unable to make it past the town of Verona, Ca. This is the geographic point, where the Sacramento River, and the Feather River come together. The water temperatures typically run 70°-75°+ degrees on a daily basis, even throughout summers hottest months. During the same months, the fall Chinook are making their migration up their natal rivers.

For a quick and helpful understanding of how water temperatures can affect Chinook Salmon, here are three facts to use as a guideline:

1)- At 68 degrees Fahrenheit Chinook Salmon start to cease migration, and hold up in the rivers cooler, deeper holes.

2)- At 70+ degrees Fahrenheit, various life threatening warm water bacteria’s thrive, and start infecting the holding salmon.

3)- At 73-75+ degrees Fahrenheit the temperature becomes lethal to Chinook Salmon. Specimens that may survive these temperature are rendered useless. As successful reproduction, is non existent when chinook salmon are exposed to these temperatures.

From Verona, Ca., down river to Discovery Park, in Sacramento, Ca. there is already an issue. As of July 1, 2025, the Sacramento River was running 72-74 degrees. The Feather River is running 68-70 degrees, and the American River at 68 degrees.

So, as we approach the start to salmon season, CDFW provided us with water temperatures, on July 16, 2025. River water temperatures on the Feather and American Rivers, are already lingering around the 68+ degree threshold that stops migration. This may or may not prevent the King Salmon from moving into either of the river systems. As we move forward into the hottest months of summer, we can project river water temperatures to rise. Once again, the river water will reach lethal temperatures, for the survival of the salmon species.

On the flip side, for the glass half full type of guys, there are some positive aspects to this fishing season. One primarily benefit, is there should be an exponential surplus, of King Salmon to target in the rivers this season. There are most likely to be, several hundred thousand, more King Salmon in the rivers. These salmon while still in the ocean, were not subjected to fishing, by the commercial fishing fleets, nor recreational, sport, or private charter fishing pressures.

We are expecting, a very substantial run of fall Chinook Salmon, entering all of the river systems, open to salmon fishing this season. Northern California anglers can expect; lights out salmon fishing, throughout the entire season. I know I have my fingers crossed.

Only time and temperatures, will tell the tale, of what fishing will be like, on our first year back on the salmon ground. I personally remain optimistic for an outstanding season. We’ll wait and see what becomes of it as we approach the season opener. Which is now only a week away.

Regardless of the speculation as to exactly how many salmon will be on the grounds, for the season opener, you can rest assure there will be no shortage of anglers. Anglers that have been chomping at the bit, to have the opportunity to again feel the heavy tugging of a King Salmon on the line. The Feather River at the Thermalito Outlet (“outlet hole”), and down river from the Outlet Hole; has extensive bank fishing opportunities for anglers who are planning on targeting the King Salmon from the shore. For boat anglers, the same stretch of river is considered great salmon water. Boaters and salmon fishing charters can implement techniques like boondoggling, side drifting. bobber dogging, flatlining plugs, and even back bouncing eggs.

Bank and boat anglers will have to share the same water on occasions, which can quickly lead to conflict, if manners and respect are not shown to one and other. It is suggested for boat anglers to remember, that bank anglers have the “right of way”, if you will, so respect their casting area from shore. A little respect can go a long way. The same rules apply for bank anglers, who may walk in on a guide boat or personal boater, who is already, actively fishing the location you have chosen to bank fish from. It is recommended for the bank angler, to make their cast, around the vessel, as opposed to casting, at or into the vessel. Ignoring these basic rules, can lead to a large conflict on the river.

It is almost certain, the turn out for the season opener, will far exceed, the typically large crowd that salmon fish the Outlet Hole, during normal years. So, be prepared ahead of time, and remember to try and work out potential conflicts, prior to the problems escalating into a full blown “shit show”. Remember, the outlet hole is the definition of “combat fishing”. You are likely to witness any number of things while fishing here. Everything from; vandalism, assaults, and stabbings. I personally, know of one shooting, a couple drownings, and many fist fights. The outlet hole isn’t for everybody, but if you like people watching, this place never lacks entertainment.

Recent changes in the water flow regiment, during the writing of this fish report, on the Feather River, appears to be the icing on the cake, we hoped for. Changes in river flow, over the past seventy two hours, were exactly what salmon anglers needed, to kick off the 2025 season. The river flows have been doubling in the recent days. The increased water flow, brings the total CFS, (cubic feet per second) to 9,000 at Boydes Pump in Yuba City, Ca. Currently, ideal water conditions are present in all parts of the Feather River. Allowing the newly arriving King Salmon to migrate quickly through the length of the Feather River. The salmon will be right on time for the season opener next week. Keep your fingers crossed that river levels stay the same in the weeks to come and this salmon season will be one for the books. Tight Lines! We’ll see you out there!