SHASTA LAKE SPRING TROUT & SALMON DERBY

By Paul J. Kneeland

The 22nd annual Shasta Lake Spring Trout & Salmon Derby took place on the first weekend of May at Lakehead on the upper Sacramento arm of Shasta Lake. The lake was full to the brim this year and absolutely gorgeous. The Spring derby includes brown and rainbow trout (only 1 brown weighed in per day per team), kokanee salmon and King salmon(only 2 kings per day).

We stayed at the lovely Tsasdi Resort at Lakehead and we had 3 teams in our large cabin, including myself and John Brassfield, Dave Barsi and son in law Mark Talkington, and Kurt and Jen Kock who traveled all the way from Wyoming to fish the derby. We moored all 3 boats at the Tsasdi docks right below the resort.

Thursday evening, we gathered at our nice cabin at Tsasdi and had a wonderful dinner of barbequed steaks, combined with potatoes, green salad and red wine. What a great way to start a long weekend of fishing.

The official derby is always on Saturday and Sunday, so we all pre-fish on Friday to try to get a “lay of the Land” so to speak. Friday morning was clear and beautiful, with a slight north wind and a cool temperature of 45 degrees at 5:30 am. John and I always explore on Friday, going to places we don’t normally fish, saving our “good spots” for the real derby days. We headed out in the Fish Sniffer Rogue Jet Coastal 21 and decided to run up the McCloud arm to see what it looked like. It was a long boat ride with the lake being so full. We started trolling near Dekka’s rock and John landed a nice 19 inch rainbow on a 3 inch...

Potluck Time in the City

by Jack Naves

‘When Worlds Collide’ is a way of expressing different opposing things coming together into a single moment. One example would be a huge international city like San Francisco being only minutes away from world-class halibut and striper fishing. When most of us think about fishing, we imagine getting back to nature and escaping the city.

On a more scaled down level, the fishing opportunities that Sacramento offers are another example of worlds colliding. Within earshot of roaring freeways and blasting train horns, the Sacramento and American Rivers provide metropolitan fishing to over two million nearby residents.

While most of us need departure from the city at some point, the convenience of making a quick trip to a nearby location can be the difference between fishing or staying home! This time of year, potluck opportunities present themselves to anglers fishing the Sacramento, American, and Feather River systems. Now is the time to try your luck for striped bass and shad within the city limits and bustling freeways. I was lucky enough to get into the action during two recent potluck trips in the city of Sacramento.

On May 25, I had a scheduled trip with Max Wagner of Eugene, Oregon. Not knowing exactly where we would be fishing, some other plans came up just before the trip. I was originally thinking about fishing at Bullards Bar for kokanee, but it is over ninety minutes from my house. Not to worry, I told Max, we could still fish the nearby Sacramento River in the morning and be back home in plenty of time.

Timing the striped bass spawning run through Sacramento can be very unpredictable. For those of us fishing in the city, the fish often shoot up past us while we are busy...

The California Fish & Wildlife has updated the 2025 plants for inland chinook salmon and kokanee.

Chinook: This year’s IHN infection rate for returning Chinook was very high and negatively impacted this brood year. Out of four lots, the first three were destroyed due to extremely high IHN infection rates. The fourth lot passed, with low IHN infections, and those Chinook were planted in four lakes – Lakes Berryessa, Don Pedro, Pine Flat and Spaulding.

Kokanee: This was a good year for kokanee brood, our expected allotment for kokanee was 705,000 fingerlings and DFW planted 755,969. Expected allotments per lake were either met or exceeded; with Shasta getting more than planned and even Indian Valley getting a plant, which was unexpected.

2027 should be a good fishing year for kokanee, barring any unusually dry winters; Although Chinook options will be reduced, given the level of IHN this year, we did get plants into at least three lakes.

Plants per lake are listed below. Information courtesy of the California Inland Fisheries Foundation, Inc – also know as Project Kokanee.

Lake Berryessa

Limits Of Kokanee Highlight Trolling Catches

SACRAMENTO – If you want catch a limit of kokanee, as well as good numbers of rainbow trout and some king salmon, now’s the time to book a trolling adventure on Lake Berryessa.

“This morning we had Michael and Jordan from Idaho back out once again on Berryessa searching for more Kokanee action and they limited out again,” reported Nate Kelsch of Big Nate’s Guide Service after his latest trolling adventure. “Not only did they score limits of kokanee, with all fish being extremely fat and healthy, but they had a couple donkeys in the mix, and got 7 big Eagle Lake trout and 1 nice king salmon for the crew by noon.”

“We also lost a few nice kokes right behind the boat,” he continued. “The epic train rolls on. This lake is fishing as good as I’ve seen it in years and continues to provide exceptional action for my clients. The Fish America Kokanee Dodgers, with Tpex lures and Uncle Larry spinners, continue to dominate our catches between 20 and 60 ft.”

On his previous trip, he also reported outstanding kokanee, king and trout fishing.

“Today had Tom, Bob and Ken out on Berryessa for a potluck trip and they crushed them. They scored donkey kokanee and king salmon and rainbow trout and even caught a huge Sacramento pike-minnow. We had everything wrapped up by noon, with 21 fish to the boat. A couple of fish also broke us off – and numerous fish didn’t stick. A couple of fish broke us off.”

“Once again I stayed away from the fleet to the best of my ability, and it paid dividends. There are fish all over the lake, If you put in some time and find your own fish, your...

Davis Lake

Trout Lead Late Spring Angling Parade

PORTOLA – Trolling has been the most effective method for catching trout at Lake Davis lately, while bait fishing from shore has been just OK.

“I have been fishing on Lake Davis for the past week with great success,” reported Ed Dillard from Dillard’s Guided Fishing. “I have been using Baby Simons in orange and copper red. On Sunday, the Jay Fair orange fly was working well too. I’ve been fishing down 10 to 15 feet. The surface water temperature has been 60 to 62 degrees.”

Bank anglers are catching some quality trout, but they aren’t doing as well as the boaters, reported Jim Graham at J & J Grizzly Store and Camping Resort. Bank anglers are using nightcrawlers and Power Bait for the rainbows. The fish are going up to 25 inches, but most are in the 18 to 20 inch range.

“One bass angler fishing from a boat caught and released a 6 lb. largemouth, but he didn’t say what he caught it on,” said Graham. “I have no word on bluegill or catfish being caught yet, since most anglers are concentrating on the trout.”

“We are trying to do everything we can to help prevent any of the 3 varieties of mussels being introduced into our beautiful lake,” Graham added. “Please make sure your kayak, float tube, waders, canoe and boats and trailers are clean and dry. You can pick up the self-inspection forms in our store.”

Davis is holding 79,814 acre feet of water, 96 percent of capacity and 126 percent of average.

• Dan Bacher

Klamath/Trinity Rivers

Runners Celebrate Salmon Return After Largest Dam Removal Project In History

Weitchpec CA — From May 22-25, 2025, the 22nd annual Salmon Run took place with historical significance under the 2025 theme, “Undammed.” This year’s run honored the first return of salmon following the largest dam removal project in U.S. history, which restored hundreds of miles of habitat along the Klamath River. Four dams were removed on the Klamath River in 2024.

“This is the first year, after over two decades of work, that we are running past an Undammed Klamath River,” added Karuk Tribal Member Crispen McAllister. “I remember several years ago when just a small handful of runners made the journey to the upper basin for the first time. Every year since then, the run has grown, and we have had the opportunity to experience the change we were hoping for, to see a dam-free Klamath River that the Salmon could come home to.”

McAllister continued, “The intertribal relationships that have been brought together through this event are inspiring for future work of what we can accomplish together for the Klamath River People.”

The Salmon Run has been deeply rooted in youth leadership and community participation since four Hoopa High School girls started the run after the 2002 fish kill on the Klamath River. The run follows the migration route of the salmon along the Klamath and Trinity Rivers, beginning from where the Pacific Ocean meets the Klamath River and concluding at the River’s headwaters. Over four days, participants ran in relay, combining ceremony, activism, and endurance to honor and celebrate the resilience of salmon and the communities that fought for their return. This year Quartz Valley Tribal runners joined from the Scott River, a tributary of the Klamath River, for the first time.

Throughout the...

Lake Oroville

Golden Mussels Found During Boat Inspection at Thermalito Forebay, Bass Fishing Hot

OROVILLE - The Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) newly implemented invasive mussel inspection program for State Water Project (SWP) facilities in Oroville uncovered golden mussels attached to a pontoon boat late Wednesday afternoon in Butte County. Staff immediately contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for further inspection and decontamination. The vessel will not be allowed to launch at a DWR reservoir until CDFW confirms that it is free of mussels.

The pontoon had been out of the Delta waters for an unknown period and was purchased Wednesday morning in Stockton by Oroville-area residents who planned to launch the boat at Lake Oroville for the Memorial Day weekend. The boat was brought to DWR’s inspection site at the North Thermalito Forebay where golden mussels ranging in size from approximately 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch were discovered during the inspection.

“We are thankful that DWR’s new inspection program in Oroville caught these highly destructive mussels before they could be introduced to our largest water supply reservoir,” said John Yarbrough, DWR’s Deputy Director of the State Water Project. “Oroville’s reservoirs provide water to the Feather River Fish Hatchery and several municipal water agencies for residential, business, and agricultural use, produce hydroelectric power, and provide flood control. This discovery further highlights the importance of protecting these critical functions through watercraft inspections given the ease with which golden mussels are transported from the Delta.”

DWR’s mussel inspection program in Oroville is underway to protect State Water Project (SWP) infrastructure. Mandatory watercraft inspections are required prior to launching at the Oroville Facilities (Lake Oroville, Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay). DWR’s free mussel inspections are only performed at the North Thermalito Forebay. Watercraft that pass the inspection will receive a seal...

Shasta Lake

Kokanee Bite Explodes!!

Rob Hower of the Shasta area gave us this report: Shasta lake has just hit the 70 degree top water temperature in the morning. The lake has started dropping water levels and is about 13’ below crest. We do have some great news for you, Kokanee fishing is as good as it gets. They’re stacked up just about everywhere right now. Jeff Goodwin and I have been out prospecting for those silver bullets. We can definitely tell you that the bite is fantastic right now. We found them around 35’ down and they have been really attracted to pink dodgers as well as a 24k gold dodgers. We picked up almost 30 fish in the 14” bracket in about 2 hours. McCloud arm around Hirtz bay to the Shasta Caverns and the entire Sacramento arm as well as the main body have fish stacked up. We have been running typical lures like Uncle Larry’s spinners and everything is tipped with corn.

Jeff and I also had some time to try and find some King salmon, and we did find some deep in the different parts of the lake. We ran pretty much the same thing for all Kings including rolling anchovies and cut plugs along with white plastic grubs. We picked up 4 nice fish in the 2 to 4+ pound range, releasing all of them. The morning we had gone out they were in the 80’-90’ range and we were going 2.5 mph. The bite didn’t last but a few hours.

The trout bite has been a little bit slower than normal. Patty Poling and myself have been really looking for some rainbows. By now we would already be on them. We have found them in very small groups and once we locate them...

Fisherman’s Wharf/Berkeley

Live Bait Drifters Battle Stripers and Halibut

SAN FRANCISCO – Live bait is now available at J and P Bait at San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf. J and P Bait is located on the water near Scoma’s Restaurant across from Pier 45. They will be open seven days a week Mondays thru Thursdays from 6am to 9am, and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5am to 10am. The cost is $40 for a half scoop and $60 for a full scoop.

Now for a fish report from San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. Captain Craig Hansen of Argo Sportfishing tells me that he’s been navigating with his customers, from his berth at Fisherman’s Wharf, to Red Rock Shoal and F-Buoy. Capt. Craig has been having his clients drift live bait for striped bass and halibut.

Capt. Craig continued to tell me that the striped bass bite has been good on most tides, but the halibut bite has been best on the slow-moving tides. His advice, if you’re wanting to target halibut, fish the slow moving tides.

Meanwhile Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions tells me that he’s also been putting his clients on striped bass and halibut on Red Rock and Southampton Shoals. On a recent trip Capt. Ron put his clients on 10 halibut and 10 stripers, all the while fighting very windy conditions (see the attached photos). Capt. Ron also stated that the big tides weren’t favorable if you’re hoping to target halibut.

Mike Rescino,, Captain of the Lovely Martha, reported hot striper fishing while drifting live bait in San Francisco bay on May 31.

“What a great way to end the month of May,” said Rescino. “Today we had a private half-day charter and the bass fishing was phenomenal again. We finished up with 24 limits (48)...

Monterey Bay

Shallow Water Rockfish Bite On Local Reefs

MONTEREY – Anglers boarding party boats out of Monterey are catching limits of rockfish on most trips in shallow water reefs off the Monterey County Coast, along with a few lingcod.

The 9 anglers aboard the Checkmate landed limits of rockfish (90) and 3 lingcod aboard the Checkmate on their latest venture om the ocean. The 14 anglers bagged 105 rockfish and 12 lingcod on a previous trip aboard the Checkmate.

The anglers have been fishing in less than fathoms of water with shrimp flies, bars, jigs, swimbaits and Point Wilson Darts. Blues, blacks and vermilions are making up most of the rockfish bag limits. reported Steve Semler at Chris’ Fishing Trips.

The rockfish season will continue to run through Dec. 30, 2025. Here are the depth restrictions now in place:

May 1 – Sept. 30: 20 fathoms inshore fishery

Oct 1 – Oct. 31: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery

Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: 20 fathoms inshore only fishery

Dec. 1 – Dec. 31: 50 fathoms offshore only fishery

Salmon fishing in 2025 will be available on June 7-8. July 5-6, July 31-August 3 and August 25-31 or whenever the statewide quota of 7,000 fish is filled. The June 7-8 and July 5-6 trips are already sold out.

Rockfish action is also going strong off Santa Cruz when the weather allows boats to get out. “The inshore rock fishing was good near Natural Bridges and Wilder Beach,” reported Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine in Santa. “The halibut fishing is still getting better with the warming water temperatures. The halibut are being caught near the Mile Buoy and below Capitola on live bait and lures. The wind was calm in the morning and the swell is small.”

Stagnaro’s Fishing Trips is...

This month’s Fish of the Month goes to Jack Naves, who wrestled a sleek 26-inch striped bass out of Sacramento’s urban stretch at dawn. Landing the linesider on chicken livers amid freeway hum and train horns proves top-tier action lies minutes from downtown, not miles up-river. If you have a couple of early hours, anchor on that inside bend and join the run before these hard-charging stripers bolt back to sea.