Shasta County Fishing Reports

Surface water temps continue to spike with the recent heat wave... not the best for shallow midday bass fishing, but the early morning / late evening bite has been excellent on topwater baits. Small frogs, propbaits, or poppers are killing spotted bass off rocky structure and points when the sun is low. During midday, fish are pushing deeper... 20-30 feet, where crawfish-imitation soft plastics or dropshots are your best bet.

The kokanee bite has cooled off substantially within the last few weeks, but the rainbow and brown trout bite has improved. Plenty of quality fish near the dam and in the Dry Creek area for trollers running cut plugs and Speedy Shiners in 55-75 feet of water, focused on finding shad schools. For those chasing kings, target the deeper end of the schools... looking for sonar ticks 5-10 feet below.

Salmon season on the Sacramento reopened July 16 below Woodson Bridge (Corning), and early signs are good... fish are already showing, with one guide reporting kings in the 25-30 lb class since opening day. Water's running warm for July, so salmon are holding in deeper, shaded, or spring-fed cool pockets. Two-fish daily limit... season runs through mid-December.

Best bets right now are the confluence spots: Discovery Park (where the American meets the Sacramento) and the Feather River mouth near Verona, both solid for bank or boat access.

Striper action is winding down, although a few schoolies are still reportedly being caught in Colusa.