Russian River Fishing Report

Kings Sport and Tackle reports the Russian River continues to trend the right direction as we head into early February. Flows have dropped under 800 cfs at Hacienda, the water has cleaned up to a nice green... translating into some very good fishing. Boats drifting out of Healdsburg are averaging one to two fish per trip. There's also been solid shore action from Steelhead Beach down through Monte Rio. Plenty of fish are coming in the 6–8 pound range, with a few reported in the teens. With no meaningful rain on deck, expect conditions to keep improving and flows continue to settle.

The lower river is holding good numbers of largemouth bass right now, and some with legit size. Morning action has been slow, surprisingly, but afternoons are producing quality fish, including a couple of fish reported pushing 5 pounds. Some traditionally reliable holes have been quiet while secondary water has been carrying the most fish. Soft plastics jerkbaits and swimbaits are getting the most action, with 2-3 pounders not uncommon. Pikeminnows are being seen in schools, but have been somewhat inactive.

Flows have finally dropped to safe levels at the Russian, and the smallmouth bite is firing (largemouth too). The river’s running at around 250 CFS near Hacienda, which means plenty of sections are now navigable by kayak. Anglers working the edges, pools, and riffle transitions are getting into solid numbers of 2- to 4-pound bass.

Topwater poppers are producing in the low-light hours, but Senkos, twin-tail grubs, and spinnerbaits are doing most of the heavy lifting during the day. There’s plenty of recreational pressure on the river, which can definitely get in the way of anglers. Aim for early morning or late evening... fish are more active then, and the crowds thin out.

A few hatchery steelhead are still being picked off with spinners, and early signs of shad movement are starting to show. No bait allowed until November.