Sacramento River Salmon Fishing
You don't have to fly to Alaska or Canada to battle the mighty King Salmon. Among its other treasures, Northern California boasts a healthy run of Chinook (King) Salmon. The Sacramento River System hosts the largest run of King Salmon in California and surpasses many Canadian and Alaskan Rivers.

Sacramento River salmon average 15-30 lb. with the occasional 30 - 40 lb. fish. Numerous 40-60 lb. fish are caught every year.

We focus our guiding efforts on the Sacramento between Redding and Chico - one of the most beautiful and productive sections of the Sacramento River. Enjoy gorgeous scenery and observe deer, turkey, eagles and otters while waiting for that big salmon to grab your lure.

We welcome anglers of all skill levels. On the night of your arrival, we provide a brief training on how we will will fish and explain and practice the techniques.

Trout and Steelhead Fishing
The cold water released from Shasta Dam provides an ideal year round environment for the beautiful Pit River strain of rainbow trout. We trout fish year around using lures, roe, flies and crickets depending on the time of year. Some of the best trout fishing is in the spring from March through June.

Steelhead, the rainbow trout's sea run cousin, peak in the river from October through February. Sacramento river steelhead range from "half pounders" to line breaking river rockets in excess of 10 lb.

Season
Salmon season on the Sacramento River opens in 2 phases - mid July below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and early August for the remainder of the river.

From mid-July through late October, the salmon run strengthens normally peaking in late October. Starting in November, the late fall fun arrives. Late November through mid-January provides the best opportunity to catch that elusive 50 pounder for those willing to brave the rain and cold. Late run salmon have 3 extra months to pack on weight in the ocean, and it shows.

Trout season is open year round.

Your Experience
We start out the day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge and drive to the launch site where you will board our comfortable new 2004 22' Koffler jet boat for your day of guided fishing. On a typical day, we launch just before sunrise and fish hard until lunch. Our lodge guests are provided with lunch, snacks and soft drinks. Most trips end after 8 hours or when all of our guests have caught their limit.

We fish where the hoards of fishermen don't. When possible, we avoid places like the Barge Hole on the Sacramento that attract nearly as many fishermen as salmon. While combat fishing generates some interesting stories, it is not an experience that we want to share with our guests!

We will clean or filet your fish and pack the fish for shipping. Like all other guides, we keep the roe so that we can cure it and use it for the next guests.

What to Bring

* California fishing license.

* Clothing appropriate to the season. Layers are recommended. Check out Accuweather for the latest weather forecast.

* Sunscreen and insect repellent.

* Soda, water, and food.

* Cooler for your catch.

* Beer, wine or spirits to enjoy at the lodge. While we don't prohibit alcohol on the boat, we discourage anything that compromises your safety and ability to react when that big salmon grabs your lure. Sober fishermen land more fish! Intoxication of any sort is grounds for ending the trip.

* We provide all fishing equipment.

Special Considerations - Weather

Summer - Summers in Northern California are hot. Weeks of 100 degree temps with bright sunshine are not uncommon. You must stay hydrated and covered with sunblock. Lack of shade, our beautiful clear skies, and reflections from the water make serious sunburn a real danger. Sunburn and dehydration are the most common problems encountered by people fishing this area. If you are sun sensitive, try wide brimmed hats and light long pants and long sleeve shirts developed for tropical ocean fishing.

Fall - October through November weather is unpredictable. Beautiful temperate days, summer-like heat and chilling rain are all possible. Be prepared and dress in layers. Your hosts normally start with shorts and a tank top, covered by sweat pants and light cotton shirt and warm or water proof jackets as needed.

Winter - Rain and cold weather dominate, though 70 degree days are possible. Flexibility is needed at this time of year. While the largest fish of the year populate the river, a hard storm can blow out the river for days at a time. We fish rain or shine, but will not fish the river when it endangers our guest's safety.

Book your fishing experience today - click here to send us an email or call us at (866) 877-8354