It’s no secret that Striped Bass are a number of the greatest sport fish on the market. Anglers are hooked on their aggressive strikes and barreling dives, which feels quite a bit like taking a bull by the horns. Relaxation assured, there are many these “Cows” swimming across the Golden State. However the place precisely are the very best Striper fishing spots in California?
The reply is: Nearly in every single place! If the place and when to look, that’s. Fortunately, we’re right here to level you in the appropriate route. The exhausting half might be deciding the place to go first!
Why Go Striper Fishing in California
California Stripers don’t attain trophy sizes such as you would possibly catch on the other facet of the nation, however they’ll definitely bend your rod. Native Striped Bass can high 40 kilos, particularly in areas just like the Delta and San Francisco Bay. California’s verified state report stands at 67 and a half kilos, whereas anglers have reported even bigger catches than that!
The actual cherry on high is the number of locations to fish for them. Stripers are most typical in Northern California, from San Francisco Bay to the mighty Sacramento River and its tributaries. Whereas SoCal hardly ever sees coastal Striped Bass, there are self-sustaining populations of those fish to be discovered inland. So, whether or not you’re trolling beneath the Golden Gate or casting right into a desert lake, there’s an opportunity you’ll catch some Striper.
However, sufficient preamble already – let’s get right down to “Bass tacks!”
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is essentially the most iconic Striper fishing spot in California – and possibly in all the west! Right here, you’ll end up on the doorstep to the Pacific, the place Striped Bass and Salmon start their migrations upstream.
Stripers usually collect in areas with deep water and present breaks. The south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge is a typical fishing spot for them, in addition to the rocky buildings off Alcatraz and Treasure Islands. Raccoon Strait close to Angel Island additionally sees numerous exercise.
Fishing from a ship may have you bagging extra fish, however you too can take pleasure in good shore fishing from nearly any facet of the bay. In San Francisco itself, you’ve gotten Baker Seaside and the world round Candlestick Park. In case you’d fairly keep away from town gridlock, simply head to Marin, Berkeley, or San Mateo. These all function in style piers and seashores with entry to the identical fish.
One of the best time to go Striper fishing in San Francisco Bay is normally from June by means of October. Throughout this era, the fish might be extremely concentrated within the bay and feeding actively. Come winter, they disperse and are much less prone to take your bait.
Striped Bass fishing is open year-round in California. For Stripers caught in San Francisco Bay, there’s a each day bag restrict of two fish, which have to be 18 inches or longer.
California Delta (aka Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta)
Fish discover their means from San Francisco Bay to numerous freshwater streams by means of an enormous maze of sloughs, canals, and channels often called the California Delta. This watershed stretches from the valleys round Sacramento and Stockton all the way in which to Suisun Bay.
One of the productive areas within the Delta is Frank’s Tract State Recreation Space. You can too take pleasure in good fishing from a ship or the shoreline across the Huge Break Regional Shoreline and the Antioch Bridge space.
In case you’re planning on a Striper fishing journey to the California Delta, your greatest bets are in spring and fall. Between March and Might, these fish cross by means of these waters on their strategy to spawn within the rivers. They return once more between October and November to gorge themselves on bait fish earlier than winter. You’ll see essentially the most exercise on an incoming tide at dawn or sundown.
Dimension and bag limits for Stiper caught within the San Francisco Bay area apply.
Sacramento River
In case you observe their migration, many Striped Bass will lead you up the mighty Sacramento River. This huge waterway stretches for 400 miles, all the way in which from the Delta to the Klamath Mountains. The mixture of deep channels and shallow flats caters to quite a lot of fishing strategies.
Striper fishing on the Sacramento River picks up round March and runs by means of Might, when water temperatures rise and the fish transfer upriver to spawn. Throughout this time, the stretch from Courtland to Colusa is among the greatest areas to fish. There’s a well known spawning spot south of Colusa often called “Tractor Gap”, whereas the Chico Straits simply north of city supply a number of the greatest Striper shore fishing in California.
Additional south, Tisdale Weir and Verona additionally get good motion when the fish pause throughout their upstream migration. Come fall, Striped Bass make their means again to the Delta, giving anglers on the decrease portion of the river a second likelihood on the motion.
The authorized season for Striped Bass fishing on the Sacramento River is open year-round. As in San Francisco Bay, there’s a bag restrict of two fish, which should meet the minimal dimension restrict of 18 inches.
San Joaquin River
One other path that Stripers take out of the Delta will lead you up the San Joaquin River and west into California’s Central Valley. There’s no scarcity of excellent fishing spots round right here, particularly when you’re based mostly in Pittsburg, Antioch, or Stockton.
One space to strive is the stretch between the Antioch Bridge and the mouth of Center River. With a ship, you may discover the waters round Jersey Island, Bethel Island, or Taylor and Piper Sloughs. Anglers additionally report good fishing deeper inland close to Mossdale Crossing, Outdated River, and the Port of Stockton. These areas have deep channels and eddies that maintain Stripers, the place drifting and trolling work particularly properly.
One of the best time for Striper fishing right here runs from March by means of Might, and once more between October and early December. Northern California’s standard dimension and bag limits apply.
American River
Freshwater anglers in California already know and love the American River. It has a powerful popularity for Salmon and Steelhead, and now you may add Striper to that checklist!
This tributary of the Sacramento flows from the Sierra Nevada mountains proper into the state capital. In the case of Striper fishing, the stretch between the confluence with the Sacramento River and the Watt Avenue Bridge is your greatest guess.
Stripers are most lively right here from April by means of June, notably when flows are reasonable and the water has a little bit of coloration. Anglers usually fish this space from small boats or by wading, utilizing topwater plugs at daybreak or drifting reside bait comparable to minnows or anchovies.
The 2-fish bag restrict for Stripers nonetheless applies right here, however it’s at all times smart to verify laws earlier than heading out as a result of guidelines can change.
Feather River
The Feather River is yet one more tributary situated north of Sacramento. It could be lesser-known for Striper fishing amongst California’s anglers, however it’s nonetheless a productive spot because of the rock bars, present seams, and deep holes these fish make use of.
The decrease sections of the river, specifically, see their share of springtime Stripers. Attempt fishing close to Yuba Metropolis or Gridley for a chunk of the motion between April and June. Faculties of bait fish normally give away the Stripers’ location. Drifting reside minnows, trolling plugs, and casting smooth plastics are only a few methods you may catch them right here.
Whereas the Feather River could not rival the popularity of larger waters, it attracts in lots of anglers, with quite a few native guides able to take you out.
Lake Havasu
South of Monterey, the very best Striper motion is confined to a handful of lakes. And none sees extra motion than Lake Havasu. This desert oasis on the border of California and Arizona boasts deep water and rocky construction – which, as by now, Striper love!
On the California facet, fishing is nice close to Havasu Touchdown and Copper Canyon. The bottom line is to cowl numerous water, as a result of Stripers are continuously on the transfer and can swim as a lot as 15 miles per day. Boaters usually troll with umbrella rigs or downriggers in 30–80 ft of water.
You’ll be able to fish for Stripers in Lake Havasu year-round, however the chunk actually heats up between late spring and early fall. Evening fishing is efficient throughout summer time, particularly close to lighted docks and marinas the place bait fish congregate.
In Lake Havasu, the bag restrict for Striped Bass is 10 fish, with no minimal dimension necessities. This is applicable it doesn’t matter what facet of the lake you’re fishing from, for the reason that guidelines are the identical as per Arizona’s statewide laws in addition to California’s Colorado River District.
Lake Pyramid
North of Los Angeles sits Pyramid Lake, a deep reservoir with glorious Striped Bass fishing because of common stocking and droves of bait fish. Hotspots embrace the dam space, Yellowbar Canyon, and Spanish Level. These deeper sections of the lake appeal to massive faculties of Stripers, particularly in the course of the hotter months.
Striped Bass are arguably the most well-liked species of all right here! Anglers goal them utilizing swimbaits, trolling lures, and reside bait comparable to sardines or anchovies. Fishing is productive year-round, however spring and fall supply the very best mixture of climate and fish exercise.
Lake Pyramid follows California’s Southern District laws, the place anglers can maintain as much as 10 Striped Bass with no minimal dimension restrict.
Silverwood Lake
We’ll wrap up our checklist of California’s greatest Striper fishing spots with a hidden gem: Silverwood Lake. These clear, cool waters tucked behind the San Bernardino mountains make for an pleasurable day on the water, regardless of what kind of luck you’ve gotten with the Stripers!
Spring and early summer time are typically the most efficient occasions to fish right here. Floor motion is widespread within the mornings, whereas trolling and utilizing sonar will enable you discover deeper faculties late within the day. Stay shad, anchovies, and sardines are in style baits, however topwater lures will be explosive throughout low-light hours.
Striper motion round Cleghorn Arm is fairly constant, particularly early within the morning or late within the night. You can too strive your luck close to Miller Canyon and the world by the dam.
As soon as once more, there’s a 10-fish bag restrict for Striped Bass in Pyramid Lake.
Striper Fishing in California: A Golden Alternative!
There’s no scarcity of Striper fishing spots in California, because of the state’s assorted panorama and steady local weather. From the headwaters of the Sacramento River to the night time chunk on Lake Havasu, you’ve gotten each alternative to get out on the water. Striper fishing here’s a lot like hanging gold – and by chance, it could actually occur each day.
Have you ever ever been Striper fishing in California? The place’s your favourite spot? Tell us all of your fishing tales within the feedback beneath!
