Butte County Fishing Reports

The striper bite is wide open near Verona on the Feather River. Anglers are landing quality fish day and night, with plenty of keepers in the 22–27 inch range and some pushing close to 30.
Jerkbaits are doing most of the damage, especially Berkley Stunna models and S-Wavers. Work it quickly with long pauses, as most fish are crushing baits during slack moments. White Keitechs on green jigheads are also getting hit. Most action is coming tight to the bank or just off current seams. Some stripers haven’t spawned out yet, so the bite should hold for at least another week or so.

Bass fishing at Lake Oroville is excellent right now for numbers, with spotted bass either spawning or moving into post-spawn. Reports mention the bite has been especially good in the middle arm, with fish shallow around rocky banks and submerged trees. Finesse baits like Neko-rigged Senkos and small swimbaits are producing best, and the topwater bite is just starting to come alive. There's not a lot of trolling activity for king salmon right now, but that should change over the coming weeks.

Water clarity is 10–15 feet, with temps between 62–65 degrees. The lake level is up to 881’, sitting at 92% capacity despite ongoing Feather River releases. Both Bidwell Canyon and Loafer Creek ramps are open. Starting next month, Oroville will begin golden mussel watercraft inspections.

The Sac River striper bite is really turning on. Fish are pushing up from the Delta and spreading throughout the system, with awesome action reported around Clarksburg. Anchovies are doing most of the damage, full chunks, especially early in the morning before the bite slows down mid-morning. Swimbaits and ribbon-tail worms are also getting bit. Shakers are still thick, but keepers, and even a few big ones, are starting to mix in. Bank anglers are scoring at spots like Bryte Beach and Garcia Bend, but high water has made access tricky in some areas. Water clarity is improving, and the next week could be prime, especially if the weather holds