As a fourth generation Northern Californian; born and raised right here beside the Sacramento River in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. It is difficult to grasp the thought that although this winter seems to be bursting at the seams with what now days is critical and essential winter rain runoff. Big Pacific Ocean, low pressure systems have set their crosshairs on Northern California repeatedly this winter. Delivered with punishing accuracy, I might add. Rain run off has been plentiful to say the least for Northern California. Not to mention the above average snow pack in the higher elevations surrounding the Sacramento Valley on all sides. As added extra insurance for late season snow melt runoff. All making for a much needed wet winter and bumper lake levels in the North State as we head into Spring! This after nearly a decade of drought for in Northern California. For the most part anyway. So what appears to residents of the North State as excessive precipitation, above average rain run off, flooding river levels, and more rainy days then we as North Staters have become accustom to, is actually nothing more then a average year of rainfall historically here in Northern California. After nearly a decade of drought it’s easy to forget that these kind of winters were a natural occurrence every winter annually here in the Sacramento Valley. As we currently sit here as sportsman in Northern California, we face a muddy and flooded Sacramento River. This making sturgeon fishing and trophy striped bass fishing, nearly impossible. But these species being the primary targets for Northern California anglers at this time of year. Where as the majority of the past few years local weather conditions have allowed for much more time on North State rivers for fishing. Also providing much more suitable fishing conditions for the time spent fishing on those rivers.

We as anglers here in Northern California are forced to play the hand dealt to us this winter by Mother Nature. Which has meant spending time doing things differently on the angling front, then in recent years! Eager and ready for the weather to break so as to get back on the North State rivers. It should be remembered that we did desperately need this wet winter, and all its rain run off to fill the states depleted water resources. It won’t be long and anglers will be able to take to fishing again here in Northern California! For now, we wait. Impatiently!!!

Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca at 186ft. Four feet above flood stage.

Mike's Fishing Guide & Charter Service For Sacramento River Fishing targeting King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Striped Bass, Sturgeon, Shad And Trout the best Sacramento River Fishing guide and Sacramento River Charter on Sac River