While sturgeon can be fished year-round on the Sacramento River, I typically target them in the spring, summer and early fall months. At this time the weather is nice, the sturgeon are active, and with so much river to fish, crowds are not a concern.
What is the largest sturgeon caught in the Sacramento River?
The largest sturgeon ever recorded caught in the Bay Delta watershed, according to perhaps less than reliable reports of the time, was a 16-foot, 1,500 pound fish hauled out of the Sacramento River in the 1880s, caught on a meat hook with a rabbit as bait.
Where are the fish biting on the Sacramento River?
Much like salmon, the best fishing for steelhead tends to be in the uppermost 45 miles of the lower Sacramento River, from Keswick Dam down to around Red Bluff. Balls Ferry Fishing Access Site, Bonnyview Boat Launch and Anderson River Park are great fishing spots, along with the aforementioned Barge Hole.
What kind of fish are running in the Sacramento River right now?
Runs of Steelhead and Chinook Salmon in the Fall and Winter months. The river also contains runs of anadromous fish including Chinook Salmon, Steelhead (sea-run Rainbow Trout), Striped Bass, American Shad, Sturgeon, and resident Trout and warm water species where water temperatures and habitat is suitable.
What’s the best time of year to catch sturgeon?
While generally occurring during the third week of June, the freshet can happen anytime from mid May to mid July. Weather is the key to the timing of the freshet. A really nice spring sturgeon! July and August offers the golden days of sturgeon fishing as far as I am concerned.
Where can I fish for sturgeon on the Sacramento River?
Down river of Colusa, CA is where the majority of sturgeon fishing takes place. On low water years such as this year, the stretch of the Sacramento River from Grimes, Ca to Knights Landing, Ca is your best bet.
What’s the biggest fish in the Sacramento River?
Also known as Chinook salmon, this fish species lives in the north of the Pacific Ocean and in the North American river systems from California to Alaska. The Sacramento River is home to the biggest specimens, some exceeding 50 pounds, while the record belongs to an 88 pound beauty caught in 1979.
Where is the best sturgeon fishing?
Where to Catch Sturgeon. California’s major sturgeon fishing is found in the broader San Francisco Bay system, including its various saltwater areas and tributary rivers including the Sacramento.
What type of sturgeon are in the Sacramento River?
Sturgeon are a very slow-growing fish that live a long time (70+ years) and spawn periodically–not annually. Sacramento River mainstem supports a run of anadromous green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
What’s biting in the Sacramento River?
Sacramento River Trout fishing is second to none in California and, yet, it’s often overlooked. The bite is on all year, with the peak season between April and October. If you’ve got your eye on Steelhead, the best time to go after them is in late fall and winter.
Where is the Minnow Hole Sacramento River?
Located in Sacramento, it’s several miles upstream of Garcia Bend off of 43rd Avenue. It’s a popular spot for both shad and salmon anglers because of its easy bank access. I anchored in about eighteen feet of water a few hundred yards downstream from the bank fishing area.
How deep is the Sacramento River?
The controlling depth in the river route is about 10 feet. Above Sacramento, the controlling depth is about 6 feet to Colusa. The sounding datum is mean lower low water at low-river stage.
Can you use barbed hooks for salmon in the Sacramento River?
Question: I want to try fishing in the Sacramento River this year for Chinook salmon and most of the area will require barbless hooks. Can barbed hooks with the barbs crimped down be legally considered barbless? (Eric V.) Answer: Yes.
Can you fish with live bait on the Sacramento River?
Sacramento River stripers Drifting live minnows is working well with anchor fishing with various baits a close second. Top anchor fishing baits while striper fishing on the Sacramento River are pile worms, live minnows and cut baits like sardines or anchovies.
Can you eat fish from the Sacramento River?
“By following our guidelines for fish caught in Sacramento River and northern Delta, people can safely eat fish low in chemical contaminants and enjoy the well-known health benefits of fish consumption.”
How old is a 1000 lb sturgeon?
Canadian Guide Puts Brit Angler on Gigantic 1,000lb, 100-Year-Old Sturgeon. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater gamefish in North America, and a nearly 13-foot-long specimen hooked earlier this month may well be the largest freshwater catch ever recorded on the continent.
What is the best sturgeon bait?
The adage “fresh is best” applies to sturgeon fishing. Types of recommended bait include crawfish, fresh water clams, salmon eggs or carcasses, shad and other small fish. If fresh bait isn’t available, adding scents to the bait will catch the attention of the sturgeon.
What scents do sturgeon like?
What is the best tide to fish for sturgeon?
Sturgeon will bite through the tide but there are a few times during the tide swing when the fish are more active. Normally the last two hours of an outgoing tide is considered the best time. Negative and big king tides drive the sturgeon to feed. Fast moving tides are the best time to target Sturgeon.
How do you fish for sturgeon from the bank?
Can you keep green sturgeon in California?
Conservation and management Southern DPS Green Sturgeon are protected as a Threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act, so no take of any kind is permitted.
Are there salmon in the Sacramento River?
Central Valley spring-run Chinook Salmon Spring-run Chinook Salmon enter the Sacramento River from late March through September. Adults hold in cool water habitats through the summer, then spawn in the fall from mid-August through early October.
Can you fish anywhere on the Sacramento River?
Insider tip: On free fishing days, you can fish anywhere in California without a license. The Sacramento River hosts steelhead, trout, sturgeon, striper, American shad, and King salmon (though fly fishers have been known to hook wild rainbow trout or steelhead, too).
What does sturgeon taste like?
Farmed White Sturgeon is remarkably mild and has a delicate, sweet flavor. What is this? The wild variety tends to be much more robust with a richer texture and taste that is slightly tangy or buttery.
What is the largest white sturgeon ever caught?
For that reason, the IGFA world record for a white sturgeon stands at only 468 pounds. However, the largest white sturgeon caught by a fisherman is believed to be the estimated 1,100-pounder measuring 12 feet, 4 inches caught in July 2012. It was released on the Fraser River, too.