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Hot-Bites Fishing Report By the Fish Sniffer Staff

October 7, 2008 Updated Regularly

LAKE OROVILLE/THERMALITO AFTERBAY BLACK BASS ... Only a few anglers are trying the low waters of Lake Oroville for bass, but those getting out on the lake are reporting top-notch spotted bass fishing.

There are only two launch areas available on Lake Oroville now - and a 4 wheel drive vehicle is necessary to launch, reported Brent Cline at Oroville Outdoors. You have to launch on the dirt at the spillway ramp or on the mat at the Bidwell ramp.

"One local reported solid spotted bass action on the main body this week," disclosed Cline. "He drop shotted and dart headed plastic worms for bass to 2 pounds in the main body in 15 to 40 feet of water. The fish were bunched up on schools of pond smelt."

The largemouth bass fishing in the Thermalito Afterbay has slowed down, though anglers are still nailing decent fish. "On my last trip, Paul Ford and I caught four fish while flipping jigs in the tules and tossing out top water lures," said Cline. "The largest fish weighed 3 pounds while the others were in the 1-1/2 to 2 pound class."

Coho salmon fishing has perked up at Lake Oroville - again, for the few anglers out trying. "Boaters are catching a lot of small fish, along with some larger 3 to 5 pound salmon, while anchored or mooching along the buoy line at the dam," tipped Chuck Rice at Feather River Outfitters. "Most anglers are anchor fishing with sardines, nightcrawlers and minnows at 15 to 20 feet deep."

Lake Oroville is 679 feet above sea level, 221 feet from maximum pool, and the surface water temperature is 73 degrees.

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Area Fishing Maps American River Feather River Folsom Lake East Delta West Delta South Delta Lake Oroville Lower Yuba River Lots More on our Maps Index

The Sacramento River, also known as the Lower Sac in this area, is where you fish. There are annual runs of salmon, steelhead, shad, and striped bass. The stretch of river from Shasta Dam to Red Bluff has an abundance of large trout that are popular with both fly and spin fishermen. You will also find smallmouth bass and catfish native to the river system. Lake Oroville is one of the most productive bass fisheries in Northern California. The Feather River has one of the most healthy salmon runs in the state with fish showing as early as April and lasting into October. The Yuba River has a quality steelhead run which is not fished heavily.