Fish Reports

🚨 Hey anglers, here’s your midweek update. 18 additional spots are planting fish, bringing totals to 11,000 lbs. of trout and 6,500 lbs. of catfish across 28 locations. The big catfish plant is going to be at Santee Lakes in San Diego County as catfish plants come to a close and Fall trout season ramps up.

📊 Fish Plants Updated for week of 9/7/2025. Catfish are piling in—don’t miss this week’s drops Late-summer mornings and warm evenings have trout biting at dawn and catfish after dark across California. This week, California is expected to have 2,500 lbs. of trout and 6,500 lbs. of catfish planted across 11 locations. With unannounced plants, last week totaled 23,250 lbs. of trout and catfish across 40 locations.

📊 Fish Plants Updated for week of 8/24/2025. Big late-August plants—be on the water early. Late-August heat has trout chewing at first light and catfish prowling after dark. This week, California is expected to have 16,688 lbs of trout and 7,325 lbs of catfish planted across 38 locations. With unannounced plants, last week totaled 44,300 lbs across 71 locations.

Check out the new Issue of The Fish Sniffer magazine for August 15, 2025

In this issue of The Fish Sniffer, we bring you the latest information of summertime fishing in northern California. The big news is the opening of the Feather Rivier for salmon. The fishing has been good with lots of salmon hitting the hooks. The foothill Lakes like Shasta, New Melones, Folsom and Berryessa are producing good action for trout, bass and catfish, with the kokanee catch starting to cool off as they get ready to spawn. The Bay and Delta are producing good numbers of both halibut and stripers and off shore has been very good for rockfish and lingcod.

The golden mussel problem is still impacting boaters all over the state and has caused major boat launch closures and strict new inspection and quarantine rules at Folsom, Camanche, Pardee, New Melones and Berryessa. These rules are starting to change, and some lakes like Oroville and Bullards bar are allowing boaters to launch the same day after an inspection

All you need to know about fresh and saltwater fishing in Northern California is now available in the new issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine!

Check out the new Issue of The Fish Sniffer magazine for August 15, 2025

In this issue of The Fish Sniffer, we bring you the latest information of summertime fishing in northern California. The big news is the opening of the Feather Rivier for salmon. The fishing has been good with lots of salmon hitting the hooks. The foothill Lakes like Shasta, New Melones, Folsom and Berryessa are producing good action for trout, bass and catfish, with the kokanee catch starting to cool off as they get ready to spawn. The Bay and Delta are producing good numbers of both halibut and stripers and off shore has been very good for rockfish and lingcod.

The golden mussel problem is still impacting boaters all over the state and has caused major boat launch closures and strict new inspection and quarantine rules at Folsom, Camanche, Pardee, New Melones and Berryessa. These rules are starting to change, and some lakes like Oroville and Bullards bar are allowing boaters to launch the same day after an inspection

All you need to know about fresh and saltwater fishing in Northern California is now available in the new issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine!

Check out the new Issue of The Fish Sniffer magazine for August 15, 2025

In this issue of The Fish Sniffer, we bring you the latest information of summertime fishing in northern California. The big news is the opening of the Feather Rivier for salmon. The fishing has been good with lots of salmon hitting the hooks. The foothill Lakes like Shasta, New Melones, Folsom and Berryessa are producing good action for trout, bass and catfish, with the kokanee catch starting to cool off as they get ready to spawn. The Bay and Delta are producing good numbers of both halibut and stripers and off shore has been very good for rockfish and lingcod.

The golden mussel problem is still impacting boaters all over the state and has caused major boat launch closures and strict new inspection and quarantine rules at Folsom, Camanche, Pardee, New Melones and Berryessa. These rules are starting to change, and some lakes like Oroville and Bullards bar are allowing boaters to launch the same day after an inspection

All you need to know about fresh and saltwater fishing in Northern California is now available in the new issue of The Fish Sniffer Magazine!

The water is warming and the fishing is heating up along the coastline! Bluefin tuna are being caught by those willing to put in the time and find warm water. Fish have been caught anywhere from Monterey to The Farallones. On the inshore waters, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish are in peak season. I recently took my kayak out in Santa Cruz County and had some good action on halibut in 40-60 feet of water. I was trolling a bounce ball setup in fairly clear water and the big fish of the day was this fat 40” halibut (pictured). Video from the day is live on Youtube!

SANTA ANA RIVER LAKES: Clear Evening Gives Up Single Channel Cat

4mph breezes and clear water greeted our fishing group on July 1, 2025. Fishing pressure stays modest on weeknights, and the fence line near the El Pollo Loco sign offers easy casting room starting around 5 p.m.

Cisco soaked a Carolina rig which included a 1oz egg sinker, one-foot mono leader, and 2/0 circle hook, baited with fresh cut mackerel. He lobbed the setup fifteen to twenty feet off the bank. At 8 p.m. the rod loaded up, and a two-pound channel cat came ashore after a short burst toward deeper water. No additional bites followed before lines-out at 11 p.m.

Expect the bite to rise as July heat pushes water temps higher. Bring plenty of mackerel or shrimp, refresh baits every twenty minutes, and keep casts short to shoreline cover once the sun drops.

HESPERIA LAKE – Shrimp & Mackerel Score Easy Cat Limits

Stained water on July 11 kept visibility low, putting the bite on scent-soaked baits. Anglers fishing shrimp, mackerel, or nightcrawlers enhanced with a dash of “Homeless Stench” attractant from the store filled five-fish cat limits from first light through late afternoon.

Most anglers caught catfish in the 6–8 lbs range, and the day’s top stringer weighed 132 lbs. Hesperia Lake staff noted recent sightings of 15–19 lb fish prowling the deeper channels.

Productive water starts at the aerator line and stretches along the north-shore picnic tables. Cast a ½-oz Carolina rig into 8–12 ft or drop a two-hook high-low straight off the main dock when algae mats drift in. Refresh scent every 20 minutes since shrimp scent fades fast in warm water.

Night sessions run Friday and Saturday; pack a lantern, heavy net, and extra ice. The five-fish limit remains in effect, and the bite should hold as long as water temps stay in the mid-70s and the turbidity persists.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY – Hot Rockfish and Lingcod; Halibut Inconsistent; Stripers Wide Open

Report from July 25 to August 4, with trips starting at 5:30 a.m. and fishing until limits or 2:30 p.m.

I have been fishing in San Francisco Bay between the San Rafael-Richmond Bridge and Bay Bridge for stripers and halibut. For halibut, we’ve also been targeting the north and south bars outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Rockfish and lingcod trips have been focused around Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and Duxbury Reef.

Rockfish and lingcod fishing has been hot, with limits on both species achieved on most trips. Rockfish have ranged in various sizes and species. Lingcod have been particularly active, with days when we’ve limited out on lingcod even before reaching our rockfish limits. Lingcod have consistently been nice in size.

Halibut fishing has become more inconsistent recently. It’s best to target smaller tides. Most keeper-size halibut seem to be in the ocean or near the Golden Gate Bridge. In the bay and ocean, we are catching many small halibut, ranging from 6 to 15 inches, indicating a positive outlook for future years. Most trips end with slightly more than one halibut per angler, with several nice fish measuring between 30 and 35 inches.

Striper fishing on most days has been wide open in certain spots. Most stripers caught are between 20 and 22 inches, with a few larger fish mixed in. Limits can be achieved quickly if you’re in the right area. Slowly cruising around the islands and using sonar to locate schools has proven effective. When the fish are stacked up, they will bite just about anything presented.

June spoiled us with an incredible halibut bite, but by July the changing water temperature had other plans. The bite slowed dramatically, and while halibut are still around, most are on the smaller side. The spotlight this month belongs to spotfin croaker, and they’ve been delivering some of the most exciting surf action all summer.

In Seal Beach, California, Big Fish Bait and Tackle hosted July’s “Best of 2 Spotfin Croakers” derby. During the incoming slack tide, I landed a 22.25-inch and a 23.25-inch croaker, giving me a combined total length of 45.5 inches—enough to hold the lead until the very end of the month. The fights were unforgettable. Both croakers battled like stingrays, charging off with heavy runs and delivering stubborn headshakes all the way to the net. Mussels and ghost shrimp on 15-pound test were the winning baits. My video content on them can be found on my Instagram @VividSnares.

But here’s the twist—my fishing buddy Chris Garcia also landed the exact same total length! He was part of the derby too, so we tied. Since I caught and turned in my submission video first, according to Big Fish Bait & Tackle, I officially took 1st place and Chris took 2nd. He then tried fishing every day to land a bigger fish than mine. Now that’s the kind of camaraderie and competition we love—it’s what keeps us fishing! In my book though, we’re both first-place finishers. Congratulations, Chris!

Local OG surfcasters tipped us off that it’s spawning season, and by late July, spotfins had spread both north and south as sand crab beds lit up the shoreline. It’s been a season to remember, and the bite shows no signs of slowing.

Barred surfperch were everywhere as well, with some reaching 6 to 12 inches. Croaker and corbina stayed active on bloodworms, ghost shrimp, and soft-shell sand crabs. Clean water and the incoming tide after an early morning minus low were key—especially for corbina in the 15- to 20-inch range.

My two spotfins secured first place and a custom surf rod and gear from Flashbites, along with sputnik weights from American Sea Fishing. Now, August’s derby target is halibut. Good luck everyone, be safe, and tight lines!

For video content, follow us on Instagram @VividSnares.

—Joel Dacoron, Founder of Vivid Snares & Fishing LLC

Some months the fish make you fight for every bite, and July 2025 has been one of those grind-it-out months for NorCal striped bass. I’ve been fishing my whole life thanks to my dad, Manuel, who put me on my first striped bass from the surf in Pacifica, CA. My name’s Joel, founder of Vivid Snares & Fishing LLC, born and raised in the SF Bay Area, and I’ve been fishing these waters for two decades.

This summer, the bite’s been slow, but trust me—they’re still out there if you know where and when to look.

During June’s More Than Fishing Striped Bass Surf Fishing Tournament, even the OG surfcasters from Montauk back to San Mateo and up through San Francisco coastlines had a hard time matching last year’s numbers. But one angler, P-nut Khammao, showed everyone that persistence pays off. His trick? He chased diving birds on his e-bike, cast wherever the action popped, and when the birds stopped diving, he went to different beaches and stacked more than a handful of stripers while most stayed put and went home empty-handed.

The fish of the month for July? Jorge Barrera’s monster 37-inch striper, landed on a simple pink metal trout lure during low to incoming tide—proof that even in slow months, the big ones still chew. Sure, there are bigger numbers outside of NorCal, but here, they’re big.

While my dad and I skunked in the tourney, we’ve been hammering giant red rock crabs with my original lead-free Vivid Snares (vividsnares.com). From SF’s Crissy Field to Torpedo Wharf, the rock crab bite is straight fire since Dungeness crab season closed. Just bait up the crab snare with raw chicken, fish, or squid, cast with your fishing rod, and let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Then set hard—if it feels heavy, it’s a crab—and reel in smooth. Want a guaranteed good time crab snaring? Book a trip with the professional crab-snaring guides at The Art of Crabbing (theartofcrabbing.com)—they’ll put you right on the crabs. Oh, and be sure to tell them Joel from Vivid Snares & Fishing sent you.

Salmon groups, Tribes respond to State Water Board updates to Bay-Delta Plan with deep alarm

SACRAMENTO — The State Water Resources Control Board has just released its controversial proposed updates to the Sacramento Delta portions of the Bay-Delta Plan.

The proposal includes both the Big Ag-backed voluntary agreements on water, strongly opposed by Tribes, environmental groups, fishing organizations and environmental justice organizations, and a “regulatory pathway.”

Governor Gavin Newsom gushed about the release of the update proposal — and, as usual, announced proposed legislation gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to fast-track the implementation of the process.

“I am proud to see the healthy rivers and landscapes program represented in this plan update — it’s a testament to California’s commitment of a collaborative, science-driven approach to managing our water for the benefit of our communities, economy and fish and wildlife,” claimed Newsom in a statement. “However, our work is not yet done — I have proposed legislation to create a CEQA exemption for all water quality control plans that would accelerate the time it takes to get these critical plans done by removing unnecessary and redundant process requirements.”

“We’re done with barriers and obstacles to our state’s success. We must work together to protect our natural resources for the benefits of the habitats and people of our state,” Newsom gushed.

Two salmon groups, Save California Salmon and the Golden State Salmon Association, blasted the inclusion of the voluntary agreements in the update.

“The Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan (Bay-Delta Plan) update is necessary to protect the water quality in the Bay-Delta and Sacramento River watershed,” said Regina Chichizola, Executive Director of Save California Salmon. “This watershed is critically important to salmon, Tribes, and the tens of millions of Californians that get their drinking water from, or live in, the Delta.

“Water is our most precious resource and it is extremely overallocated due to agricultural diversions. This plan should be guided by science, not politics or profit, to ensure enough water is left in the system for ecosystems, fish, and clean drinking water. We are very disappointed to see the board pushing voluntary actions by large-scale agricultural interests after decades of inaction and failed voluntary solutions.”

Scott Artis, Executive Director of the Golden State Salmon Association, also responded to a briefing by the Water Board on the Bay-Delta with profound alarm.

“Today’s NGO briefing by the State Water Resources Control Board on the Bay-Delta Plan process left conservationists, fishermen, and Tribal and environmental justice advocates deeply alarmed,” said Artis. “The Board appears to be laying the groundwork to approve the Voluntary Agreements (VAs)—a controversial, deeply flawed proposal designed behind closed doors by the very water users who would benefit most from it.”

“This is a sad day for the State Water Board and one more on a long list of bad days for salmon. The Board seems to be collapsing under pressure from the Governor to approve the fatally flawed voluntary agreements. The VAs are a scam that could cost taxpayers billions, enrich water agencies and make the rivers even sicker. The VAs set the stage for even more damaging diversions by the massive Delta tunnel. Commercial fishing in California has been closed for 3 years because of unsustainable water diversions. This looks like a plan to kill California’s most important wild salmon runs and fishing jobs.”

“At the heart of the VAs is a deceptive premise: they offer modest ‘environmental water’ while setting the stage for massive new diversions from projects like Sites Reservoir and the proposed Delta tunnel. These diversions would come from the same existing flows that form the baseline for the new water, meaning overall conditions in the Bay-Delta could become even worse than they are today.”

“Taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill—over $2 billion—most of which would go directly to the water agencies that helped write the VAs. Meanwhile, in critical dry years when ecosystems are most vulnerable, the VAs offer little to no new water: zero on the Yuba, Feather, and Mokelumne rivers, and a meager 2,000 acre-feet on the Sacramento River, the state’s largest.”

He said the VAs also mirror the failed CALFED Environmental Water Account, which allowed state water projects to worsen environmental conditions while financially benefiting water users.

“Equally troubling is the exclusion of key voices. Tribal leaders, fishing communities, environmental justice advocates, and conservation groups were shut out of the process. The Governor’s office has refused to meet with opponents, despite repeated requests and the dire implications of the plan.”

“Despite claims of new environmental benefits, the water proposed in the VAs has been shrinking for years, and there’s no contingency if the anticipated $900 million in federal funds fails to materialize—which appears likely.”

“If the VAs falter, it could take years before the State Water Board reevaluates the situation, leaving already declining salmon and imperiled rivers in an even more precarious position.”

“One thing is clear. The Voluntary Agreements aren’t a solution—they’re a water diversion tactic dressed up as progress, with consequences California’s natural heritage, people and communities can’t afford.”

The release of the plan updates comes despite an ongoing Title VI Civil Rights Act complaint filed by the Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), comprised of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Little Manila Rising, Restore the Delta, and Save California Salmon. The complaint is driven by the State Water Board’s failure to uphold basic environmental protections in the Bay-Delta, disproportionately harming Tribes and other communities of color.

“We’re encouraged to see Tribal Beneficial Use designations of the Bay Delta Watershed still included in the Plan. We would have liked to see both the Tribal Cultural and Tribal Subsistence uses designated but still see the Tribal Cultural use designation as a win for tribes and an important step forward to tribal uses of water being protected should it remain in the final plan,” said Vice Chair Malissa Tayaba with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

“We’re disappointed to see the Voluntary Agreements still moving forward. We stand strong in our belief that the proposal is scientifically inadequate. Eight years of an experimental ‘voluntary’ taking and giving of instream flow with questionable oversight is eight years too long that could mean complete devastation for our salmon relatives. Tribal voices and indigenous knowledge was completely and intentionally excluded from VA negotiations from the beginning and now that the Water Board has made it a viable proposal, language has been included to create optics of tribal inclusion with no real mandates for the actual incorporation of Tribal input, Tribal decision-making or Tribal co-governance.”

“It is clear that the State Water Board is continuing its inclusion of the Voluntary Agreements proposals despite the fact that there is a Title VI Civil Rights complaint filed against them, in part, for doing just that,” said Gary Mulcahy, Government Liaison with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. “The VAs have been in process now for over 9 years, and have failed to include environmental justice communities, Disadvantaged Communities, and California Tribes in their planning and implementation processes. A clear violation of the civil rights of those groups who will be significantly affected by their actions.”

The negotiations leading to today’s Bay-Delta plan draft update have been criticized for being conducted in secret and excluding Tribal and frontline communities.

“The Water Board is now saying you need to talk to the Tribes, but that is the old term of a day late and a dollar short – 10 years after the VAs began planning,” said Mulcahy.

The proposed updates also raise fundamental concerns about equity, transparency, and science-based water governance.

“The State Water Board is betting on the livelihood of Delta communities and future generations that will be left to live with the consequences of poor policy making,” said Cintia Cortez, Policy Program Manager at Restore the Delta. “The Board’s failure to address these issues is evident by their failure to resolve DTEC’s Title VI Complaint. Instead, the Board is aligning itself with a Governor that continues to push an agenda for his personal gain and does not benefit Californians.”

The current Bay-Delta Plan has not been substantially updated since 1995, despite repeated admissions from government fish and wildlife agencies that existing flow standards are insufficient to support native fish species, including Chinook Salmon, Longfin Smelt, and White Sturgeon. Salmon fisheries have remained closed for three consecutive years due to catastrophic declines in their breeding grounds, according to the groups.

The Water Board will receive comments on the revised draft in writing by September 10, 2025, and at a public hearing on September 8 and 9, 2025.

The proposal was released as Governor Gavin Newsom is fast-tracking the Delta Tunnel, Sites Reservoir and the voluntary agreements in order to export more Delta water to his Big Ag donors and Southern California water agencies.

The two projects, in tandem with the voluntary agreements, will seal the doom of imperiled Sacramento River winter, spring and fall-run Chinook salmon, Delta smelt, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, white sturgeon, Central Valley steelhead and other fish species, already in unprecedented crisis due to the already massive water exports to corporate agribusiness and Southern California water brokers, along with other factors.

High School Buddies Celebrate at Eagle Lake

By Paul J. Kneeland

I have been blessed to have a few very good friends from high school days that I get to see every year, in spite of the fact that high school was over 50 years ago! We have been getting together for a “Reunion trip” every year lately. It used to be every 5 years, but when one of us passed away as we got older, we decided to do it annually. This year we decided to go to Eagle Lake and stay at my small cabin at Spalding.  We went up on a Tuesday afternoon, with me towing the Fish Sniffer. Rogue Jet Coastal 21 to be our fishing platform. Brian Lockshaw of Rogue River, Oregon met Steve Pestoni of Weaverville and Dave Barsi of Oak Run, and they all rode in Steve’s truck and arrived about 5 pm. We had a great dinner of barbequed steaks, baked potatoes and salad as we shared many memories and tall tales on the back deck. Wednesday morning, we were up at 4:15 and at the launch ramp at the south shore by 5:45. We backed out of the launch ramp and immediately starting fishing, heading to the east side off of Eagles Nest . It was a little smoky from the fires burning near Lake Shasta and southern Oregon. The. air temperature as a balmy 54 degrees, with the water temperature showing 71 degrees on the Lowrance fish finder.  The weather stayed nice all day with a little trolling breeze that came up and kept us cool. It warmed up in the afternoon, about 86 degrees at the cabin.  We started trolling east and landed 3 fat fish in the first 20 minutes – unfortunately, all Tui Chubs!!  We were marking lots of fish suspended at 20 to 25 feet deep in 40 feet of water, and determined that the majority of them were chubs. We continued through Eagles nest and back toward the ramp with no luck.. We didn’t see many marks and also no bait balls. Then we headed over to Wildcat Point on the west side and started trolling north in 30 to 40 feet of water. Saw a few marks, but didn’t know if they were chubs or trout.  Finally got 2 trout south of Shrimp island – I got one that was a fat 22 incher at 3.75 pounds that hit a pink/blue Vance’s Sockeye Slammer at 28 feet deep.  Brian got the only other trout of the day on a black/white/red stripe Excel Spoon that was about 15 inches long. Our good friend Paul Saviez of Idaho drove in about 3 pm., and we spent the next few hours telling the old stories and enjoying each other’s company. Thursday morning, we were able to get out a little earlier and launched about 5:30. Tim Noxon of Fish Traveler Guide Service was already out and had 2 nice trout in the box when we launched. Tim was fishing just off Pikes Point to the west of the boat ramp. I talked to him on the phone and he said he was trolling naked crawlers right on the bottom in about 25 of water. Tim and his one client were done by 8 am, with a fantastic limit of Eagle Lake trout of 3.2, 4.4, 4/8 and 5.1 pounds!! After Tim went in, we  stayed in that area all morning, trolling on the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water. We could see marks on the graph, but again they were not hitting very well.   We tried our favorite spoons in the 2 and 2 ½ inch size but never got a hit.. So, we changed up a little, and started trolling naked crawlers and small spoons off the downriggers, near the bottom, per Tim’s instructions. We landed 7 nice trout and one Tui chub.  Several of the trout were last year’s plants of about 14 to 16 inches, and they were extremely health and feisty! Dave Barsi caught the biggest trout that was 24 inches but only 3.75 pounds. It also had a strange looking bent back? And the fish was also was tagged. It had a huge head, and if had been fat and healthy would have weighed 5 or 6 pounds easily. Brian and Steve each got a beautiful, fat 20 incher we all determined were the prettiest fish of the trip. All of our 7 came on naked crawlers and pink/blue Sockeye slammers.  When I cleaned the trout, one of them coughed up a bunch of tiny minnows, about ½ to ¾ inch long!     Mid July at Eagle Lake is not the best time of the year to fish, but that was the week we could all get together. As my Dad always said, “the best time to go fishing is when you can!” We did catch several nice trout, and enjoyed the shared history of the past 50 years with great friends! For more information on fishing Eagle Lake, contact Tim Noxon of Fish Traveler Guide Service at 916-201-4648 or www.fishtravlerguideserviceeaglelake.com. The Eagle Lake RV Park and Store offers cabin rental, full service store and fuel, located on the Strand in Spalding. Contact them at 530-825-3133 or www.eaglelakervpark.com

Summer All-Nighters: A Fishing Rite of Passage by Jack Naves Some memories never fade. A cool breeze. Waves lapping against the side of the boat. That river smell. The sound of the clicker going off. I’ll never forget spending nights on the Sacramento River near Clarksburg with my dad back in the eighties. In search of striped bass, we’d anchor out on the flats and spend the night enjoying great food, watching wildlife, and waiting for that lunker to come along. Those memories never fade; they are recalled anytime I am lucky enough to spend a night on the boat. Those opportunities are rare these days, but when they do happen, it takes me back to those nights on the river. I recently had the chance to introduce a couple of kids to all-night fishing at New Melones Lake in Angel’s Camp. On back-to-back weekends, I hauled the boat up the hill packed with sleeping bags, lanterns, and enough propane to grill up some delectable delights. The first outing was on Friday, July 25, with my son Adam. After launching the boat in the late afternoon sun, Adam and I trolled east in search of kokanee salmon. It started off slowly, but once we found the fish at 80-90 feet down, it was wide open. We limited out quickly on 15 to 17-inch footballs, incredible quality indeed! Next up, we ran to a cove on the west side of the lake and set up for all-night catfishing. We enjoyed grilled hot dogs and chips while soaking chicken livers for catfish. As the sun disappeared over the hills, a noisy flock on Canada Geese swam by. I think they were trying to let us know that we were not at the catfish hotspot. Before it was totally dark, I ran east to a cove near the Glory Hole Marina and set anchor for the night. I anchored in ten feet of water, hoping the wind would keep us straight. I forgot to bring my rear anchor, so the boat swayed in the northwest breeze throughout the evening. Adam had never caught a catfish, so he kept asking if we were really going to catch one. I assured him it was just a matter of time, but by 10:30 pm, we both had our bed rolls out and were getting sleepy. There were a lot of false alarms, as the swaying boat was dragging our baits along the bottom, making Adam think we kept getting bites. Suddenly he motioned, “Is that a fish?” I glanced up at his portside rod, figuring it was another false alarm. Under the dim glow of our lamps, I saw the rod tip stabbing towards the rear of the boat. “Yeah, grab it!” I uttered, and Adam sprang into action. ZZZZ – the fish was ripping line, and I coached him not to reel against the drag on the spinning reel to avoid line twist. Adam was too excited to listen and instead cranked on the big handle as the fish darted deeper and the reel sang out in protest. I coached him to pump up and reel down, and eventually saw a golden flash in the water illuminated by my headlamp. The fish made several additional runs into the darkness until I was finally able to net it. “It’s at least ten pounds” I remarked, while removing the 6/0 circle hook from the corner of its mouth. We took some quick photos and got a weight of just over thirteen pounds on the digital scale. “We’re gong to let the big ones go” I relayed to Adam, and quickly revived and released the big channel cat. It disappeared into the darkness from which it came. We caught a total of five channel catfish and one white catfish. I kept a twenty-incher for the fryer and released the rest. Three of the fish were over ten pounds. It was a solid night’s work, and a great introduction to night fishing for Adam.  We reeled in the lines and got a few hours of sleep before dawn. First thing the next morning, we headed back to the kokanee grounds, rounding out limits in no time at all. Next, Adam wanted to fish for bass, so I ran above the bridge and started the next phase of our trip. The bass were not into our topwater offerings, but I was picking them off with a jig. Adam got into the action with a drop shot setup, landing both largemouth and spotted bass. We hit the road around 10:00 am with a fantastic trip under our belts. The very next weekend, I had the opportunity to repeat the same script, this time with Rj Sanchez and his son Gino. Like Adam, Gino kept asking if we were really going to catch a catfish, and this time it was close to midnight when Gino’s rod finally went off. He landed a beautiful eight-pound channel cat and then followed suit with another good-sized whisker fish not long after. It must have been close to three in the morning when Rj got in on the action, catching and releasing a chunky eleven-pound channel cat before finally getting some shuteye. My alarm was set for 5:00 am, and it came suddenly. The next morning, we grinded on the kokanee grounds for our three limits by 10:00 am. It was a tough bite, but we found fish in open water between 55 and 65 feet deep that were more willing to bite than the bottom dwellers. It capped on another amazing adventure on the water. Be it from the decks of a boat, or from the banks of the Mokelumne River, I’ve been lucky to have experienced some great overnight fishing trips.  There is a calming vibe that takes over when the sun goes down on the water. Soaking in evenings with lines out is something I’ll never take for granted. Get out this summer if you have the chance. You won’t regret it.

American River Steelhead and Stripers Are Hitting Lures

RANCHO CORDOVA – Summer steelhead fishing has been going strong on the lower American River, while schoolie striped bass are also on the bite.

“We’ve been catching and releasing lots of summer steelhead in the 2 to 8 lb. range,” said Kailyr Perry of Kailyr’s Guide Service. “We’ve been using both plugs and different types of bobber baits, including nightcrawlers and crawdads.”

“On my latest trip on the lower American, my clients caught and released 10 steelhead. Most were in the 2 to 3 lb. range, with the largest going 8 lbs.,” he noted. “We also hooked and released six stripers to 22 inches while using paddletails, glidebaits and jerkbaits.”

Water releases from Nimbus Dam into the American River were 3,981 cfs at press time.

• Dan Bacher