Northern California Fishing Report, Shasta Lake, Lower Sacramento

Aaron Gabriel Reports on 5.08.2024

Lower Sacramento River:

The fishing on the Lower Sacramento River is truly exceptional right now, with the bite heating up significantly over the last week. Anglers are experiencing 20 to 30 hookups per day, a number that's expected to rise with the ongoing warm weather. The river's flows have been fluctuating, but they're stabilizing around 11,000 to 12,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), setting the stage for even more consistent and phenomenal fishing from mid-May through June. The fish have been chewing Pale Morning Duns (PMDs), smaller sizes, 16-18, proving to be more effective. These flies, beaded, featuring a subtle flash, or even beadless, have been highly successful. Additionally, patterns such as caddis, Yellow Sallies, and rubber-legged flies are also enticing strikes. Depending on the specific spot along the river, anglers are finding success using a 6 to 8 foot leader with a setup of two to three AAA split shots to perfectly balance their presentations. Call Harvest Wild for an outstanding fishing experience on the Lower Sacramento River.

Shasta Lake:

Shasta Lake is offering phenomenal fishing experiences this season! The bass are just beginning to spawn, and we’re catching incredible numbers of fish. Shad balls are starting to appear, though the surface temperature isn’t quite perfect yet. With another week of solid warm weather, we expect an all-out frenzy on the lake. Fishing should remain excellent through June, with July promising exciting topwater bites and opportunities to strip small streamers. The fish this year are in exceptional health, and two to three-pounders are becoming much more common than in recent seasons. We’ve even landed a few in the four to five-pound range using fly rods. Join Harvest Wild for an incredible and well-rounded trip on Shasta Lake. Experience the best of local fishing with us and make unforgettable memories on the water!