FISH REPORT
FEATHER RIVER: Salmon are starting to show at the Outlet.
The numbers are low, but the fish are big. Boats fishing roe are still doing best, but bank anglers are also starting to take a fish or two on roe, Blue Fox spinners, or beads. Water flow at the outlet is extremely slow and presenting almost no drift. Fish with ¾ to 1ounce weights. Leader length is now limited to 6feet or less. The main river is low with numerous obstacles making it hard for the boats, but the water temps are good at 63⁄64 degrees. The water levels at Gridley have risen slightly from 1193 to 1222 cfs. fluctuating between 1241 and 1222 cfs.
LAKE OROVILLE: The launch ramp at the Spillway remains closed as the lake held at 23 percent. It may reopen if the lake continues to drop as the slope will flatten out. The hydroelectric turbines have been shut down for the first time since the inception of the dam in 1961.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Red Bluff to Colusa: Salmon averages at about 2 to 3per boat with some limits. The fish are big and averaging 20 pounds or larger. The bite varies with fluctuations in water flow but is getting more consistent. Colusa boat ramp is open. Water levels at the Colusa Bridge have dropped from 4780 to 4676 cfs.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Verona to Colusa: The salmon bite dropped off with only a fish or two reported.
Fish are not holding and are still moving upriver to find cooler water. The deeper holes have been best. The best action has been further north at Knight’s Landing on the anchor with Silvertron double-bladed spinners.
The Port of Sacramento has been slow for striped bass with few schools moving into the area.
AMERICAN RIVER, Sacramento:
The American is in real trouble due to minimal water releases anticipated starting in October at 515 cfs. The current flows have dropped to 760 to 675 cfs at Fair Oaks. There are questions whether the salmon will be able to survive the low and hot water on their way toward the hatchery. The salmon run in the American River is traditionally the latest of all of the rivers, and the flows will be low and warm when they arrive.
AMERICAN RIVER, above Folsom:
The smoke has dissipated in the region, but the closure of the national forests has limited visitors to the region. The fishing in the upper American is limited to the Auburn State Recreation Area, and the flows are low in the mornings before releases later in the day for rafters.
TRINITY LAKE:
Bass fishing remains superb with swim baits slow and down to about 30 feet and plastics up to 6-inch worms fished in the 6— to 8-foot range. Launch at the Trinity Center public boat launch. The lake is at 34 percent.
LAKE SHASTA:
The lake is dropping ½ to ¾ of a foot per day and the changes in the water levels are really affecting holding areas. Matt Atkins of Matt Atkins Guide Service reported the changes in the water levels are really affecting holding areas. Small balls of shad are busting on the surface throughout the lake, and casting into the boils with spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, Super Spooks, A-rigs or flukes are working for skinny bass. They should plump up as the shad grown in size. There are fish still holding up in the arms and they can be caught on JB custom spoons, crankbaits, Senkos in baby bass and green pumpkin or Hula Grubs in the same colors. With the closure of the national forests, guide permits have been placed on hold. There are only three operable boats ramps. Bridge Bay is down to a single lane 4wheel-drive track, Jones Valley resort is now a dirt ramp only with no dock. Centimudi still has 2 paved lanes and is workable for 2-wheel drive. The lake has dropped from 27to 26 percent, and there are unmarked hazards throughout the lake below the surface.