Fish report
LAKE OROVILLE: Jamey Sorensen of North Valley Tackle reported the new launch ramp at Bidwell was expected to open Dec. 24 at approximately 3 p.m. per the California Department of Water Resources. Previously, all of the lake’s ramps were closed with the exception of a 4WD gravel and mud road leading to an unimproved low water launch. No fishing report — few have been able to access the lake.
FEATHER RIVER: Salmon season closed Dec. 16.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: Salmon fishing closed Dec. 16 below Red Bluff. Trout fishing is good near Red Bluff. Big stripers are few and far between but are occasionally caught this time of year on large swimbaits. SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: Salmon fishing was slow prior to the Dec. 16 closure. Striper fishing is slow. Still early for sturgeon.
TRINITY RIVER: Flows increased near Junction City the middle of last week but were low and clear again river wide. Steelhead fishing is fair to good near Lewiston, but slow on the lower end near Willow Creek. Retired guide E.B. Duggan said the lull between the fall run and winter run is on, but new steelhead should arrive soon. AMERICAN RIVER: Steelhead season opens above Ancil Hoffman Park on Jan. 1. A few half-pounders are being caught below Ancil Hoffman. The water is low, with flows of 1,420 cfs at Fair Oaks. LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propeller reported bass fishing for numbers is pretty good on the bottom dragging your favorite plastic finesse bait. There’s no big bait bite, but small swimbaits are working, just retrieve them slowly. The bass are hanging from 30 to 60 feet. If you can find some warmer water in the afternoon you can get a few on glide baits. Keep moving to find them. Trout are still in the top 20 feet, and the anglers having the best luck seem to be the ones working Optimizer Jrs. about 150 feet behind side planers. Broken back Rapalas are also scoring trout.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state. A longer version, with many more lakes and rivers, can be seen online at chicoer.com/ sports.