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

Fishing Reports

Log Report

California Delta

May 9

California

Public

Good Striped Bass bite

Bass, Striped Bass

Mixed

The Delta has seen a solid push of stripers move through and up the Sacramento River over the last few weeks. Fish are still present in the West Delta (Pittsburg area), with live bait producing best. The Central Delta bite has been fair to good, but expect a lot of undersized fish... the bigger stripers are being caught ripping large jerkbaits...

Largemouth action has been hit or miss. Fish are locked in full spawn mode and holding in less than 5 feet of water... but very finicky. Spawning beds are hard to spot given current water conditions, but the fish are there. Best approach is to stay shallow, working Senkos, Texas-rigged worms, and punch baits in and around vegetation. There's also been a decent frog bite in the mornings before 9 a.m., and that should only improve as water temps continue to climb.

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1 angler found this report useful

California Delta

Mar 20

California

Public

Good Striped Bass bite

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass

63°F Slightly Stained

The Delta is seeing water temps climb into the low-to-mid 60s, and with consistent warm weather in the forecast, they should keep pushing higher next week. The spring bite is close, but it hasn't fully unlocked yet. Stripers are making their way in from the bay, with a good class of healthy fish in the 8-10 pound range. Most of the action is still...

Stripers are making their way in from the bay, with a good class of healthy fish in the 8-10 pound range. Most of the action is still west... Frank's Tract, the Sacramento Channel... as there hasn't been a forceful push into the central delta just yet. Lure casters and live bait guys alike are finding fish, with moving water being the common thread.

Largemouth are in prespawn, but the bite has been a grind, especially in the central delta. The good news is that the first large females are just now showing up on clean bottom this week. The biggest challenge right now is finding clean vegetation. A poorly flushed winter left sediment loaded throughout the system, coating veg and making fish tougher to pattern. When you find clean bottom, slow down. Finesse gear, dropshots, T-rigged worms, and Senkos in green pumpkin have been the go-to, with the outgoing tide being the best window.

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5 anglers found this report useful