DELTA
Due to the lack of rainfall the water clarity is improving on the San Joaquin River which has prompted a better striped bass bite for live bait drifters and bait dunkers at anchor. Some of the better locations have been San Andreas Shoals, Old River Flats and the Old Sounding Board off Venice island. Frozen thread fin shad and cut sardines and anchovies doing the trick for stripers averaging 19 inches to 5 pounds with several two-fish limits reported. Sturgeon showing in Cache Slough and further west in Suisun Bay and Montezuma Slough. Eels strips tipped with night crawlers working best followed by salmon roe. Ghost and gross shrimp are hard to come by these days. Sturgeon also showing on the Sacramento River in the Colusa and Knight’s Landing area using eel-night crawler combos.

AMERICAN RIVER
The steelhead fishing has tapered off since the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation increased flows from Nimbus Dam into the lower American River up to 7,200 cubic feet per second.

FEATHER RIVER
Striped bass are showing up in the Boyd’’s Pump and Shanghai Bend sections of the Feather River. Stripers showing up to 30 pounds tossing bomber plugs, live minnows, sardine and anchovies along with other silver lures. Most of the stripers taken recently are in the 5 to 20 pound range.

PARDEE LAKE
Pardee Lake will reopen on Friday, March 11 at 5 a.m. after having gone through several refurbishment projects. This has been the longest closure in recent memory. Guests will notice improvements to the marina, main office and other park facilities. However, the seasonal RV park remains closed due to construction projects. Padre Lake will start taking reservations on Tuesday, March 1 when the business office opens at 9 a.m. Traditionally, the reservoir for decades opened in mid February and has closed at the end of October or in November. The Mother Lode impoundment will be stocked with rainbow trout prior to the opening.

CAMANCHE LAKE
Burson- the big new coming out of Camanche is the monster largemouth bass caught by James Vella who was only using 6 pound test line. The massive bass measured 28” in length with a 23.5” girth. The weight: 15 lbs. 12 ounces.

AMADOR LAKE
The trout fishing continues to be pretty good with plants taking place every other week. The fish are going deeper in the 15 foot range where trollers dragging Rapalas and dunking Power Bait getting the action. The impoundment is nearly full.
Take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Until next tide, stay safe.

SALMON FISHING SEASON LOOKS GRIM THIS YEAR
It is estimated that only 299,600 Sacramento River adult Fall-run king salmon in ocean waters off the coast of Oregon and California coastline which is less than half the number in the past several years. The pacific Fisheries Management Council will be meeting to voice their concerns and don’t be surprised that they impose a restricted fishing season.for both sport and commercial fishermen this season.

INVASIVE SPECIES
Invasive New Zealand mud snails have been discovered in the Yuba River and seem to be expanding their foothold in the central valley . Already the snails have been found in the San Joaquin, Sacramento, Stanislaus and Merced rivers.

JAY’S BEST BETS
WEST DELTA - (striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, sturgeon);
AMADOR LAKE - ( trout, crappie);
CAMANCHE LAKE - (trout, bass)