California Delta Bite Meter

1 week ago

Largemouth Bass

Good

Striped Bass

Fair

California Delta Fishing Overview

“The Delta”, as referred to by locals, contains over 1,100 miles of waterways and roughly 200 islands. The Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, and several other tributaries join to form the largest estuary on the West Coast. The Delta ultimately flows into San Francisco Bay. High numbers of striped bass enter the Delta, beginning in the fall. Many are in the 10-15 pound range, some reaching up to 50 pounds. They are present through the spring when they migrate into the upper stretches to spawn. Resident largemouth bass up to 15 pounds are also...

High numbers of striped bass enter the Delta, beginning in the fall. Many are in the 10-15 pound range, some reaching up to 50 pounds. They are present through the spring when they migrate into the upper stretches to spawn.

Resident largemouth bass up to 15 pounds are also abundant in sheltered areas such as shoreline weeds and underneath docks. Largemouth are most active in the spring but will remain active through November.

Smallmouth bass, although only growing 1-2 pounds, are hard fighters in the Delta. Found within a few feet of the banks, they mostly inhabit the Sacramento River portion and are most active from June through August. Spotted bass in the 2-3 pound range are found in similar areas to the smallmouth but prefer cooler and more oxygenated water. Thus, they are more active at colder times of year.

Chinook salmon enter the Delta in multiple runs, with the fall run being the most prolific. Timing varies each year, although the fall run generally occurs from August to November.

Channel catfish, white catfish, bullheads, and some giant blue catfish exist in the Delta. They enter shallow water near the banks in the springtime.

White and green sturgeon averaging 25 pounds make a spawning migration in the winter months. Green sturgeon must be released immediately if caught.

Dozens of public parks, launch ramps, state fishing access sites, and campgrounds are present. It is important to bring a GPS when boating as it is easy to get lost in this massive water system.

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Species:

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish, Steelhead, King Salmon, Bullhead, Crappie, Redear sunfish, Bluegill

Forage / Baitfish:

Smelt, Golden Shiner

Trophy Fish:

Largemouth Bass: 18.62 lb

Boating / Access:

Open to all boating, though see your launch areas regulations

Geography:

Surface Area: 738,000 acres

Latest Fishing Reports

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California Delta

Jun 7

California

Public

Good Largemouth Bass bite

Bass, Striped Bass

The early summer bite is shaping up differently across the Delta depending on which side you’re fishing. On the Sacramento side, striper schools are thinning as they drop toward cooler Bay water, but there’s still action if you cover ground. Anchored boats are picking off fish with cut sardines between Clarksburg and Sacramento, while deep trollers...

Liberty Island is one of the better zones for both largemouth and stripers right now. Shallow water... two feet or less... is holding fish tight to cover, and chatterbaits are doing the work. Sturgeon are still hanging in Suisun Bay, but most folks have moved on. It’s catch-and-release only.

On the San Joaquin side, the largemouth bite’s consistent for 2 to 3 pounders. Topwater baits are working along rocks and weeds, working best with long pauses between movements. When it’s windy, crankbaits, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits in craw or bluegill patterns are producing. Soft plastics in natural tones are still working in calm tighter pockets.

Stripers are more scattered. The western Delta’s mostly quiet, but Three Mile Slough is still giving up smaller fish on shad-pattern spoons. For keepers, Mossdale is the best shot... daytime gets you shakers on frozen bait, but the 8 to 10 pm window is the key for 23 to 30 inch fish on jumbo minnows.

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4 anglers found this report useful

California Delta

May 26

California

Public

Good Largemouth Bass bite

Bass, Striped Bass

70°F Slightly Stained

The Delta threw plenty of curveballs this week. Water temps hovered around 70 degrees with 3 to 8 feet of visibility, but consistent 15–20 mph winds made open areas tough to fish. The tides were mostly mid-day lows with short, late afternoon incoming cycles... leaving a tight bite window for both bass and stripers. Striper action is fading as post...

Striper action is fading as post-spawn fish trickle back toward the Bay. A few decent fish are still around, especially near deep edges and current breaks during the first hour of the incoming.

Largemouth reports were all over. Anglers covering water with chatterbaits and spinnerbaits in wind-blown cuts picked up decent numbers, but big fish were scarce unless you hit the right tide. Low tide frog bites are starting to fire in shallow grass, and drop shots are filling in when reaction baits stall. Most of the easy spawn fish are gone, but a few waves should trickle in with the next full moon.

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9 anglers found this report useful