Central California fishing report: Delta sturgeon and stripers hitting

Fishing report compiled by California Outdoors Hall of Fame member Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, who guides in the greater Fresno area and holds the striper record at Millerton Lake.

Best bets

Delta sturgeon and stripers hitting, Steve Mitchell said. New Melones trout action good, Kyle wise reported. Don Pedro trout and king salmon are top species, Monte Mith said. Lake Isabella continues pumping out multi species, and Lake Kaweah bass improved, Copes Tackle reported.

Rankings key below: 4: Fish are jumping in the boat. 3: Good fishing. 2: Decent fishing. 1: Poor fishing. 0: Don’t bother

Unless noted, area code is 559

Valley​​​​​​​​​/Westside waterways​

Striper 2 Catfish 3

Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported the California Aqueduct is starting to pick up for striped bass from Manning Ave to Highway 198 with jerkbaits, but the section around Kettleman City remains slow. In the southern section of the aqueduct, Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported catfish are plentiful with Triple S dip bait, chicken liver, or cut baits in the slower moving water for catfish up to 10 pounds. Largemouth bass are chasing bait in the early mornings on both sides of the check gates in the moving water with weightless flukes, or grubs on a drop-shot rig around the eddies or near grates or bridge pylons. The topwater bite has been been slow. continue to chase bait in the early morning before and after check gates, but they have been reluctant to bite larger topwater offerings. Jerkbaits in white or Aurora Black, flukes on a jighead, swimbaits, cut bait, or jumbo live minnows are working best for striped bass.

A map of the 16 designated fishing locations on the California Aqueduct can be accessed through this link: https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DsWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-We-Do/Recreation/Files/230424_SWP-Fishing-Guildines-Locations_Online_FINAL.pdf.

Call: Valley Rod & Gun, Clovis 292-3474; Cope’s Tackle and Rod, Bakersfield – (661) 679-6351

Eastman Lake/Hensley Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Bluegill 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

At Eastman, Tas Moua reported the bass are suspending over the rockpiles and island tops in the middle. Large plastics or Brush Hogs on a Texas-rig are producing a few fish. An algae bloom has stained the water. At Hensley, there is a ‘quiet’ bass bite, but catfish and bluegill remain the top species. Eastman held at 474.33 feet in elevation and 10% of capacity with Hensley at 455.75 feet in elevation and 8% of capacity. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November. The first trout plants of the year are scheduled for both Eastman and Hensley the week of Nov. 10.

Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255; 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151.

Lake Don Pedro​

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 2 King salmon 2 Crappie 2

Spotted bass remain on a rampage as getting through the bass is a key to finding the king salmon and rainbow trout to 3 pounds. Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing continues to put his clients onto limits to near limits of rainbows and kings working at depths from 35 to 80 feet with shad-patterned spoons. He said, “It’s a matter of finding the fish and working a grid back and forth.” For bass, Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle reported the weather swings have slowed down the bite, and anglers are struggling to find a pattern. The topwater bite has slowed but walking baits are still working. Covering water with crankbaits has been productive while bottom contact baits of jigs or plastics on the drop-shot are most likely your best bet. When the wind is blowing, spinnerbaits are effective. Launch updates are posted at www.donpedrolake.com. The lake dropped to 788.25feet in elevation. One club bass tournament remains in October with four more club events in November. A self-inspection is required for launching. Trout plants are scheduled the weeks of Nov. 10 and 17.

Call: Monte Smith, Gold Country Sport Fishing (209) 581-4734; Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake Isabella/Bakersfield area​

Bass 3 Trout 3 Crappie 3 Catfish 3 Bluegill 3

The lake dropped a half foot to 2,566.42 feet in elevation and 37% of capacity with surface temperatures around 80 degrees. Cope’s Rod and Tackle in Bakersfield reported steady bass action on crankbaits, big worms, or football jigs, with the best action around Engineers Point, Rocky Point, Pine Point, and other areas in the main lake basin. The crappie bite has improved with quality stringers of slabs taken on live minnows or small minijigs near structure in 18 to 25 feet of water. Catfish remain active around the lake and are biting on SSS dip bait, shad, or mackerel. Trout fishing continues to be ‘fair to good ‘for trollers near the dam using Needlefish or Berkley’s Flicker Shad as the planted rainbows have moved into deeper water. In the upper Kern River, Cope’s reported Section 4 spanning from Riverside Park in Kernville to Powerhouse #3 was planted this week with additional plants in Sections 4 during the weeks of Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10, and 17. Sections 5 and 6 will also be planted the weeks of Oct.r 27 and Nov. 3. Anglers are reporting good action with small grubs, trout worms, and salmon eggs in the upper stretches while fly fishers are finding slightly better results using dry-dropper setups with a Yellow Sallie nymph as the dropper. On the lower Kern, both largemouth and smallmouth bass are taken on soft plastics or spinners, especially in slower-moving pockets of water. Catfish and bass continue to show along easily- accessed areas as the river makes its way toward Bakersfield. Get Bent Baits, clams, or nightcrawlers are best for catfish while bluegill are being caught on live red worms. The flows in the upper Kern River dropped to 375 cfs at Kernville while water releases out of the lake rose to 651 cfs at First Point.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351.

Lake Kaweah​

Bass 3 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 3

​The lake rose 3½ feet to 595.29 feet in elevation and 9% of capacity. Cope’s reported good action for spotted bass with small finesse baits on rocky points or small crankbaits along the dam along with a limited topwater bite. Crappie are found in submerged structure near Horse Creek with small live minnows while Triple S dip bait, garlic scented nightcrawlers, or cut baits remain best for catfish. The Kaweah River rose to 181 cfs at Three Rivers. No bass tournaments are scheduled through the end of November.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351.

Lake Success​

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Trout 2 Catfish 2

The lake rose 1½ feet to 597.30 feet in elevation and 13% of capacity. Cope’s reported decent bass action with a good finesse bite for small fish at depths from 10 to 20 feet along main lake points with crankbaits in the shallows or near submerged trees. Small live minnows or minijigs are working for crappie near the marina while Triple S dip bait, cut mackerel, or chicken liver are picking up catfish.

Call: Cope’s Tackle and Rod (661) 679-6351;

McClure Reservoir​

Bass 2 Trout 2 King salmon 2 Kokanee 0 Crappie 2 Catfish 2

Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait in Modesto reported a handful of quality bass have been landed on trout-patterned swimbaits, perhaps due to a recent trout plant. Finesse fishing with jigs, plastics on the drop-shot, or Senkos remains the best technique for numbers of small spotted bass. The Sierra Bass Club held a tournament this past Saturday, and small fish were the rule with the winning limit at 9.75 pounds, less than a 2-pound average. The lake is at 60% of capacity. The lake is seeing lots of action with 6 club tournaments in November. A trout plant is scheduled at downstream Yosemite Lake next week and at McClure the week of November 10.

Call: Central Valley Bait and Tackle (209) 312-9417.

Lake McSwain

Trout 3

The last trout plant took place on Oct. 10, and anglers are reporting limits of small planters from the banks with Power Bait, inflated nightcrawlers, or Kastmasters from the normal locations of Handicapped Docks, the Brush Pile, or the peninsula between the Marina. Holdover rainbows are found in the river arm past the first Fence Line with Wedding Rings, blade/’crawler combinations, or spoons. The lake is at 94% of capacity.

Call: McSwain Marina (209) 378-2534.

Millerton Lake/San Joaquin River​

Bass 2 Striped bass 1 Shad 1 Bluegill 3 Crappie 2

Tas Moua a slow bass bite has the fish are holding deep in the water column. The flows in the San Joaquin River at Friant have risen slightly to 438 cfs. Sycamore Island is open every day from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. A trout plant is scheduled at Sycamore Park Pond the week of November 3. No bass tournaments are scheduled at Millerton through the end of October, but there are five club tournaments in November. Trout plants are scheduled at Woodward Park the weeks of Oct. 27, Nov. 3, and Nov. 10.

Call: Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

Bass 2 Crappie 2 Catfish 2 Trout 3

The lake remains open despite a rumor that the lake was to close on Monday due to the government shutdown. Trout trolling remains outstanding as Kyle Wise of Head Hunter Guide Service continues to serve up limits of rainbows to 3 pounds working custom painted Speedy Shiners or Optimizer Jrs. at depths from 40 to 60 feet in open water. Bass fishing continues to improve, but many of the fish are suspending or out in open water chasing bait. Topwater lures such as Berkley’s Choppos or Whopper Ploppers are effective when the fish are on the surface. For suspended fish, spoons are working along bluff walls along with Senkos or plastics on the drop-shot. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed, but bass fishing is reported to be strong. Tulloch is scheduled for a trout plant the week of November 3. All boats must be quarantined for 30 days or decontaminated for golden mussels. A decontamination unit is available at the New Melones Marina. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Glory Hole and Tuttletown ramps are open from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. From Monday through Thursday, only the Glory Hole ramp is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The hours are subject to change. Downstream Lake Tulloch established the 30-day quarantine process to allow boating for inspected boats after the quarantine period is completed. The lake dropped slightly to 1015.92 feet in elevation and 67% of capacity with downstream Tulloch at 87% of capacity.

Call: John Liechty, Xperience Fishing Guide Service (209) 743-9932; Kyle Wise, Headhunter Guide Service (209) 531-3966; Monte Smith (209) 581-4734

Pine Flat Reservoir/Kings River​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 0 King salmon 2 Catfish 2 Crappie 2

Tas Moua reported the bass continue to move into deep water, but they are busting on the surface in open water, feeding on the lake’s shad. Bass are also pushing up bait along the points, but the fish busting on bait are smaller. The best technique for larger fish is working deep water from 30 to 40 feet with spoons, plastics on the drop-shot, or shaking a minnow. Trolling for king salmon and rainbow trout remains slow with the low water conditions. In the lower Kings River, additional trout plants are scheduled the week of Oct. 20-27 and Nov. 3 and 10. Limits of planters including some larger fish are taken on Roostertails, Panther Martin’s, Joe’s Flies, salmon eggs, or Power Bait. The conditions are excellent with the slightly higher flows at 536 at Trimmer. The catch-and-release section is located below the Alta Weir (also known as Cobbles Weir) extending downstream to the Highway 180 bridge. This area is considered a zero limit, catch-and-release zone where only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. The lake rose to 777.88 feet in elevation and 25% of capacity. No tournaments in October, but there are two in November. The first trout plant of the year is scheduled at Avocado Lake the week of November 17.

Call: 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle 515-6273; ‘Fishing with Jimmy T’ on YouTube.

San Luis Reservoir and O’Neill Forebay​

Striper 2 Catfish 2 Bass 2 Crappie 2

The water level in the main lake held at 53% of capacity for the second consecutive week. Yahir Leon of Coyote Bait and Tackle in Morgan Hill reported the striped bass bite is picking up with jerkbaits, 3- to 4-inch paddetailed swimbaits on a jig head, or topwater lures such as Zara Spooks. Boils have been taking place at both the main lake and the forebay, and they last up to an hour. Bait anglers are soaking either grass shrimp or extra-large minnows.

Roger George of Roger George Guide Service reported a slightly improved trolling bite, while the reaction bite on topwater baits and ripbaits is an early morning bite in the low light conditions. Once the sun comes up the fish are going down and the boils disappear. “ I scouted again this week and the troll bite was slow even though I was going through schools of fish at depths of 60’ in the main lake. I think that the Lone Oak area may be the best bet right now for finding fish. Water temps are about 69 degrees in the morning and the main lake water is clearer now than it’s been .” George said.

The O’Neill Forebay has plenty of small, undersized striped bass, but the larger fish are found at night with River2 Sea’s Rig Walkers, 4-inch Keitech swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps, or Duo Realis jerkbaits for linesides in the 20- to 25-inch range. The forebays is at 85% of capacity. New measures to stop the spread of golden mussels have been adopted by the Department of Water Resources, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California State Parks. These include mandatory watercraft inspections of all vessels leaving San Luis Reservoir are now in place and will help prevent the spread of mussel to other lakes and reservoirs. To help reduce the risk of mussel colonization, DWR has implemented routine inspections of SWP facilities and expanded its efforts by applying new strategies to protect pumping plants, hydroelectric plants, and water supply deliveries. To check the real time wind conditions on the lake - use windfinder.com/forecast/san_luis_reservoir. Los Banos Creek Reservoir is closed to public access through April 2026.

Call: Coyote Bait and Tackle (408) 463-0711, Roger George, rogergeorgeguideservice.com (559) 905-2954

High Sierra

Bass Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 3 Kokanee 1

Captain Mike Beighey of Bass Lake Fishing reported good trout trolling action from in front of Miller’s Landing or the Fork’s Resort at depths from 10 to 30 feet with pink or red Dick’s Trout Busters tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a Dick’s Bluefin dodger. For bass, Tas Moua of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle reported the fish are holding along the rockpiles at depths from 25 to 30 feet chasing the remaining kokanee. A recent tournament was taken with 12 pounds including a big fish at 5 pounds. A live webcam is available at https://www.basslakeca.com/bass-lake-webcam-1. One bass tournament this coming weekend, but none are scheduled in November. A trout plant is scheduled for the week of November 17.

Call: Tas Moua, Fresno 559 Bait and Tackle 515-6273.

Edison/Florence/Mammoth Pool​

Snow fell last week in the central Sierra with the potential for more this week, and access to the high-country lakes may be limited. Water releases during at the High Sierra lakes have slowed down but they are steadily dropping with Edison to 39% of capacity, Florence to 36% of capacity, and Mammoth Pool dropping to 41% of capacity. Southern California Edison (SCE), in partnership with the Sierra National Forest are rehabilitating the boat launch and campground. According to the Sierra National Forest’s press release, “The campground and boat launch have recently been turned over to SCE’s control to begin the rehabilitation work. To complete this work, SCE will need one year for the boat launch-related work (until May 2026), and two years for the campground (May 2027), keeping in mind that given the elevation, there is only a limited window of time to complete this type of work during the year. Forest Order 05-15-51-25-06 covering SCE’s rehabilitation work will be released soon.” Road conditions are available at the High Sierra Ranger Station 855-5355 or https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra.

Road conditions 297-0706.

Call: Vermilion Valley Resort at Edison Lake 259-4000

Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake​

Bass 2 Trout 2 Kokanee 3

Shaver Lake guide emeritus, Dick Nichols of Mountain Tackle, reported, “It’s still a slow kokanee bite at Shaver, but the Department of Fish and Wildlifes trout plant last week has provided some excitement for both trollers and bankies. The trout are a little larger than most plants and can be found from Sierra Marina toward the dam and road 2 for bank fishermen. Trollers are finding success from Sierra Marina to the island Point and dam areas, and a decent bite for yearling trout can be found in Boy Scout and Dorabela Coves at depths from 10 to 30 for both trout and kokanee The soon- to-be 3rd year kokanee continue to grow, and they are averaging around 14 inches. For trout trollers, Trout Busters, hoochies, tubes tipped with crawler or Gulp! Crawler or scented corn behind dodgers on the down riggers while on side poles, Trout Busters, Koke Busters in Orange or orange and green behind weighted Mountain Flashers with a 100-foot set back will work. The water temperature dropped considerably following last week’s snow. Great weather currently until this weekend when another storm arrives. The past weekend found many fishermen on the lake.”

Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Check the Sierra Marina webcam at http://www.sierramarina.com/webcam-weather-page.html for conditions. Shaver dropped slightly to 67 with upstream Huntington rising to 65% of capacity.

Call: Todd Wittwer, Kokanee.net Guide Service 288-8100; Paul Brown 300-4001.

Wishon/Courtright​

Trout 0

Access to both Wishon and Courtright is closed as there is no public access past Camp Fresno. Fire and road equipment is still working from Dinkey Creek past Wishon Dam.” The closure starts at the intersection of Trimmer Springs Road, continuing north along Big Creek Forest Road 10S69, and then up to the intersection with Dinkey Creek Road. It also includes the McKinley Grove Road at Camp Fresno to the north, and areas with no public access to Courtright, Wishon or east to the trailheads to the John Muir Wilderness and beyond, to the south. The Wishon RV Park and Store has closed for the season.

Call: Wishon RV Park 865-5361

Ocean

Half Moon Bay​

Rockfish 3 Striper 2 Halibut 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

Rockfishing remains the story with the Queen of Hearts scoring 21 limits and 5 lingcod over the weekend working the coastal reefs. The opener of Dungeness crab season is Nov. 1, and it will be a party in the Half Moon Bay launch ramp parking lot with the number of private boaters getting in on the opener.

Call: Captain Melynda Dodds, New Captain Pete (512) 825- 8225; Captain Chris Chang, Ankeny Street (650) 279-8819.

Monterey/Santa Cruz​

Rockfish 3 Halibut 2 Striper 2 White seabass 1 Sand dabs 3 Surf perch 3

From the beaches, Yahir Leon from Coyote Bait in Morgan Hill reported a wide open surf perch bite with Lucky Crafts Flash Minnows in 110 or 120 along with green or motor oil/red flake grubs on a Carolina-rig thoughout the Santa Cruz and Monterey beaches. He said, “Striped bass continue to move out, but there are still some linesides found from Marina north to Watsonville.”

Allen Bushnell of Santa Cruz Kayak Fishing and Surf Casting Guide Service reported, “The prediction of an early winter-type storm for Monday and Tuesday was concerning for many Monterey Bay anglers. It’s early in the season for “The Rains” to start, and powerful winter storms often have the effect of shutting down the good fishing of fall. Turns out everything went almost perfectly. The storm was somewhat condensed time wise and did not include huge swells. We received a decent amount of rainfall, which is always appreciated, and fishing remained consistent both before and after the storm blew through. It is not wintertime yet.

In fact, fishing is remarkably good these days for anglers around the bay. The top echelon desirable fish, only sometimes available from our home waters, has to be bluefin tuna. While not crazy good, fishing for bluefin has been steady for quite a while now. When boats have nice enough conditions, they are finding and catching the big tuna at a fairly steady rate. Todd Fraser at Bayside Marine tracks the local bluefin catches closely. Fraser is a bit of a tuna nut himself. He reported a few fish caught last week, and weighed in an 87-pound fish over the weekend, caught on a Mad Mack somewhere “in the middle of the bay,” according to Fraser. Mid-week reports indicated good conditions for tuna in the Fingers area about 15 miles offshore from Davenport, a location that has produced a number of tuna catches so far this year.

Closer to shore, rockfish and lingcod catches remain prolific. Thankfully, we are allowed to fish all depths for RCG Complex fish until the end of December (Rockfish, cabezon and greenlings). Bigger fish and quicker limits are awarded to the anglers who choose to go deep, fishing 250-350 feet of water for chilipeppers, vermilion and canary rockfish. A few lings are hanging out in the deep still, but their yearly migration toward shore for spawning is in process. The charter boats have reported nothing but limits of rockfish for their clients for the past few weeks. Inshore fishing can produce plenty of bites, but many of the rockfish caught this time of year in 30 to 60 feet of water are small juveniles. These little guys should be handled with care and properly released for the future. Remarkably, there are quite a few halibut still feeding from the inshore waters. The California halibut migrate towards deep water for the winter. This year we are seeing an unexpected number of flatties caught in the 40-60 foot depths, including a few slabs in the 25 to 30-pound range. It’s unusual, but we have even fielded reports of (undersized) halibut caught by surfcasters from one of the Santa Cruz cities beaches this week.”

Call: Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching (831) 375-5951; Allen Bushnell, Santa Cruz Kayak and Surf Casting (831) 251-9732.

Golden Gate/San Francisco Bay​

Halibut 2 Striper 2 Rockfish 3 Leopard shark 3

Rockfishing remains tremendous throughout the coastline, and the Bay Area boats continue to head to the Farallon Islands for limits of rockfish and lingcod. The California Dawn 2 was at the islands on Sunday for 26 limits of rockfish and lingcod along with 150 sand dabs while the California Dawn 1 posted 20 limits of rockfish and 22 lings to 18 pounds. Captain Chris Smith of the Pacific Dream, also out of Berkeley, was at the Farallons on Sunday for 25 limits of rockfish and 35 lingcod. On Saturday, Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions out of San Francisco made a run to the North Farallon for limits of lingcod and rockfish after posting limits of striped bass inside the bay. The weather was a bit sporty on Saturday, but it was very nice for the long boat ride on Sunday. Weather will be the only limiting factor on the combination trips, but with the vastly opened waters, there are many more opportunities that last year when fishing was limited to 20 fathoms or less in November and greater than 50 fathoms in December.

The first Saturday in November is one of the most highly anticipated days in the northern California fishing calendar as the Dungeness crab opener will bring out private boaters, party boats, and shore anglers in search of the delectable crustaceans. Rockfish and lingcod action remains tremendous, particularly since the opening of state and federal waters several weeks ago, and the potential for a 10-crab limit, 10 rockfish, and 2 lingcod on a combination trip have never been greater. The combination trips are so popular due to their value as a 10-crab limit is worth close to the price of a trip on party boats which will range from $250 to $300/angler. The only way to get fresh crab at the start of the season will be on a private or party boat or from the shorelines.

To protect endangered humpback whales from entanglement in crab pots, the season will start once again with hoops, but party boat operators have become extremely proficient at manning the hoops despite requiring multiple pulls after no more than a 2-hour soak. In addition to the three previously mentioned party boats, the New Captain Pete out of Half Moon Bay, the Salty Lady out of Emeryville, the New Sea Angler out of Bodega Bay, and the New Sea Hawk out of Fort Bragg will also offer combination trips.

Shore anglers will find their best opportunities off ocean piers, and the Pacifica Pier will be crowded with anglers tossing crab snares starting at midnight on Nov. 1.

The first Saturday in November pumps life into coastal communities suffering from three years of ocean salmon closure.

Inside the bay, striped bass remain thick in the central and San Pablo Bay, and private and party boats are picking up limits once the schools are locating. Finding working birds is the key, and although the schools are of a mixed grade, there are linesides in the teens in the mix. White seabass schools have been located, but they have been reluctant to bite. Commercial boats are picking up one or two seabass per outing up to 60 pounds, but it is a grind. Halibut remain a strong possibility around Angel Island or Alcatraz. Live bait at the San Francisco receiver is available Friday through Monday from 6 to 9 am, but it is closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The receiver will close the second week in November.

Call: Captain Ron Koyasako, Nautilus Excursions (916) 704-4169; Captain Jerad Davis, Salty Lady (415) 760-9362; Captain Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Happy Hooker (510) 223-5388

San Luis Obispo​

Rockfish 3 Surf perch 3

Rockfishing remains the story, and it appears that it will remain so until the season closes on Dec. 31. On Sunday, one boat went out of Morro Bay Landing with 19 anglers for near limits with 162 assorted rockfish, 6 copper, 6 vermilion, and a lingcod. Out Patriot Sport Fishing in Port San Luis, two boats were out on Sunday with a combined 31 anglers for 194 assorted rockfish, 34 vermilion, 21 Boccaccio, 9 Bolina, 3 copper, and 14 lingcod to a whopping 21 pounds. Cope’s Tackle and Rod in Bakersfield is chartering the Black Pearl out of Morro Bay on Oct. 25 for a venture to ‘Jurassic Park’ for big bottom-dwelling rockfish and lingcod. Every angler receives a free gift card from Cope’s and entry into the Okuma PCH rod raffle.

Call: Virg’s Landing (800) 762-5263; Patriot Sport Fishing (805) 595-4100; Morro Bay Landing

Others

Delta/Stockton

Bass 2 Striper 3 Sturgeon 3 Catfish 2 Bluegill 3

In the Sacramento side of the Delta, sturgeon fishing remains outstanding with as many as 21 diamondbacks brought to the boat on catch-and-release trips out of Pittsburg Marina. Having the right cured salmon along with locating feeding fish is the key to a day like this. Captain Steve Mitchell put his clients onto a combined 10 for 14 hook ups over the week, and he will scout for feeding fish before setting anchor and setting out a spread. Anglers are starting to warm up to catch-and-release sturgeon fishing so they can fight multiple fish on a single outing. A typical outing will bring as many as 10 opportunities for hooking up. Striped bass are just now making their move into the Delta in force, and the best action remains in the far western edge from Collinsville to the Benicia/Martinez Bridge with live mudsuckers. Jeff Soo Hoo of Soo Hoo’s Sport Fishing has been finding a quality grade of lineside on the western edge, and he said, “These are new fish that are fat and bright” Alan Fong of Alan Fong Outdoors reported bass fishing for northern-strain largemouth remains best in the north Delta around Shag Slough and Liberty Island by flipping the shallows with Brush Hogs. Chatterbaits or spinnerbaits have also been effective for fish to 5 pounds. With the temperatures dropping to the mid-60’s, the bass continue to transition onto structure. On the San Joaquin side, last week’s rainstorm finally brought some fresh water into the system, and striped bass are making their move into the central San Joaquin River. Numbers remain small, but the linesides are coming as the waters continue to cool. Drifting live mudsuckers or bluegill are working best around the western edge near the Antioch Bridge. Largemouth bass action is decent for numbers with tournament leaders pushing 20 pounds finding anything of size remains a challenge. Keeping your bait in the strike zone is the key on a finesse presentation. Dave King of Nor Cal Bass reported a challenging bite during their recent tournament this past Saturday with no limits over 20 pounds weighed in.

The Mokelumne River is open for salmon fishing with a one-fish daily bag limit in the section from the Lower Sacramento Road bridge to the mouth -downstream of the Lower Sacramento Road bridge and east of Highway 160 and north of Highway 12, and it will remain open until Oct. 31. The zone from Elliot Road to the Woodbridge Irrigation District Dam, including Lodi Lake closed on Oct. 15 while the upper zone below Camanche Dam to Elliot Road closed in mid-September. Barbless hooks are required, and single hooks must have no larger than a 1-inch gap with treble hooks no larger than a 3/4-inch gap. Captain Steve Johnson of Captain Steve’s Guide Service has been scoring quality salmon to 25 pounds trolling or jigging. There will be a flood of salmon coming into the Mokelumne within the next several weeks.

Call: Steve Mitchell, Hook’d Up Sport Fishing (707) 655-6736; Randy Pringle, the Fishing Instructor, (209) 543-6260; Soo Hoo Sport Fishing (925) 899-4045.

Events

Tournament Results:

Oct. 11

Lake Isabella – Cope’s Tackle and Rod

1^st – Kenneth Cleveland/Ryan Fuson – 21.08 pounds; 2^nd – Randy and Mason McAbee – 19.48; 3^rd – Jon VanRensselaer/Brett Ege – 17.61.

Oct. 18

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass

1^st: Jamond Andrews/Harvey Pulliam – 19.50 pounds; 2^nd – Lorenzo and Lucca Rossetti – 18.13; 3^rd – Vince Mina/Randy Paculba – 16.67 (Big Fish – 9.72).

Don Pedro – Yak A’ Bass Tournament of Champions

1^st: John Myers – 93.00 inches; 2^nd – Sean Laytem – 80.00; 3r^d – Isaiah West – 79.50.

McClure – Sierra Bass Club

1^st: Jeff Karceski – 9.75 pounds; 2^nd – Jerry Siligo – 8.44; 3^rd – Nathan Jones – 7.83. Big Fish – Jordan Ali – 3.16

Upcoming tournaments (dates and locations subject to change)​

Note – tournaments scheduled for New Melones, Camanche, Tulloch, or Pardee are subject to change and will not be listed

Oct. 25-26

Delta/Russo’s Marina – The Bass Hole Inc.

Oct. 25

Delta/Big Break – Delta Bass Club

Santa Margarita – Bakersfield Bass Club

Nov. 1

Don Pedro – Manteca Bassin’ Buddies

McClure – Valley Backlashers

Millerton – Bass 101

Nacimiento – Golden Empire Bass Club

Nov. 2

Delta/San Joaquin County – Valley Backlashers

McClure – Kings River Bass Club

Nov. 8

New Hogan – Sonora Bass Anglers

Don Pedro – Contra Costa Bass Club

Millerton – Kerman Bass Club

Nov. 9

McClure – Riverbank Bass Club

Millerton – Big Valley High School Association/Kings VIII Bass Club

Nov. 15-16

Delta/Ladd’s Marina – Nor Cal Bass Tournament of Champions

Nov. 15

Don Pedro – Tri Valley Bass Masters

McClure – Christian Bass League/Gilroy Bass Masters

Millerton – Sierra Bass Club

Pine Flat – Cope’s Tackle and Rod

Lopez – Bakersfield Bass Club

Nov. 16

McClure – Fresno Bass Club

Nov. 23

Don Pedro – Stanislaus County Sheriff’s

Nov. 28

Pine Flat – CA B.A.S.S. Nation

For more go to fresnobee.com/fishing.

This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Central California fishing report: Delta sturgeon and stripers hitting."