Lower Sacramento River Striper Report – Capt. Hogan Brown of 530 Outfitters
Summer striper fishing on the Lower Sacramento River is off to a great start through the first half of June and should only improve as the summer progresses. Most fish are averaging between 3–5 pounds, and with a strong shad run on the Sacramento River this year, many of the larger fish are focused on chasing and feeding on shad. That said, we have already landed and had follows from a few double-digit fish. Bigger fish should become more active over the next few weeks as the shad numbers begin to thin and King Salmon move into the river, pushing stripers out of deeper water and into feeding zones for longer periods of time.
Most fish are being caught on standard Clouser patterns fished on Type 7 or other heavy-sinking shooting heads. Water clarity varies throughout the system depending on rainfall in the mountains and muddy tributary inflows, so adjusting fly size and color based on conditions is important.
Late June and July should be very productive this year with salmon season opening. Strong numbers of salmon, along with increased salmon angler traffic, tend to push stripers toward the banks and keep them in feeding zones longer than they would be without territorial salmon and boat traffic moving through deeper water.
All river striper anglers are looking forward to the return of salmon season. It should be a great summer on the river!
We’ve been seeing good numbers of smaller fish, but we’re also starting to encounter some double-digit fish cruising the shallows and actively feeding. Most fish are being caught on Type 7 heavy-sinking shooting heads paired with Clouser-style flies stripped quickly through the current.
Water temperatures are ranging from 60–65 degrees, and flows remain excellent. Water clarity can vary depending on where you’re fishing between Colusa and Los Molinos. Most areas have that dark green color with a few feet of visibility—in my opinion, perfect conditions.
The next three to four months are prime time for targeting these river-resident stripers.
