FRESHWATER REPORTS :

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RIO VISTA / DELTA

mussels attached to a float in the Port of Stockton to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ). No mussels had been observed on the float in the prior months ’ inspection . Samples of the unknown mussels were immediately sent to the UC Davis Genomic Variation Laboratory and the California Department of Food and Agriculture ’ s ( CDFA ) laboratory for identification . On October 23 and 24 UC Davis and CDFA independently returned genetic analysis results consistent with golden mussel , a species not known to be present in North America . On October 25 , 2024 , State Park staff reported mussels on an artificial substate deployed for monitoring for the presence of quagga / zebra mussels in O ’ Neill Forebay . Those specimens collected from O ’ Neill Forebay are currently being tested by UC Davis and CDFA labs . So , due to the presence of golden mussels in the Delta and the ability for these mussels to be easily transported in live wells , bilges , ballast tanks , engine systems , plumbing or any other compartments onboard boats , watercraft travelling from the Delta will not be allowed to launch in Lake Berryessa without a verified 30-day quarantine or decontamination . The larval microscopic mussels can survive for extended periods of time in waters that may be in the boat systems listed above , which is why there is a 30-day or decontamination requirement . In addition to not launching in Lake Berryessa , the Solano County Water Agency encourages watercraft owners to NOT travel from the Delta to any other waterbodies for 30-days to allow time for larval mussels to die . Please be sure to clean , drain and dry all of your systems after each use to help prevent the spread of invasive species . For more information go to

Rob Hower shows off a very nice German Brown caught on a Brads Skinny MIni 25 feet deep at Shasta Lake .

Photo Courtesy of Rob Hower the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website ( wildlife . ca . gov ) and search “ California Invaders : Golden Mussel .” I ’ m the President of the California Striped Bass Association ( CSBA ), Isleton-Delta Chapter . As a lifelong fisherman , fishing the California Delta , San Francisco Bay , and ocean waters , I am pleased to be your fishing reporter .

- Ken Bachetti

SACRAMENTO RIVER

Fly Fishing for Rainbows Was Solid Before Flows Increased

REDDING – Releases into the Sacramento River below Keswick Dam increased from 4,000 cfs to 14,000 cfs by January 2 , 2025 . When the flows were still 4,000 cfs . The Fly Shop https :// www . theflyshop . com reported solid rainbow trout fishing in the Redding area . “ Good fish are still coming to the net on the top end on smaller flies .

Midday to afternoon has been the best time for the bite . We are seeing fish keying on midges and Blue Wing Olive nymphs . Black Zebra Midges in # 18 , the Black Perdigon , # 18 Olive Hotspot , and dark BP Weiss nymphs are the go-to flies now .” “ Some days we are still seeing Grannom Caddis coming off in the afternoons and the amber Bubbleback Caddis , olive and cinnamon Poopahs , and other pupa imitations are working . Rubberlegs are another producer from time to time , it is always a good idea to start with one tied on .”

- Dan Bacher

SHASTA LAKE

Early Winter Trout and Bass on the bite

Shasta Lake is one of the best trout fisheries in the Western US . Early winter fishing can be one of the most productive times to catch some of the large browns and rainbow trout that make this lake a fisherman ’ s favorite . This time of year , with lake levels rising and changing weather conditions , different techniques are required to put those big fish in the boat . “ This time of year you ’ ll find the fish in the top 15-30 feet of water ” says Rob Hower of Redding . “ We ’ re getting nice browns to 4-5 lbs in the upper McCloud arm . We ’ ll use side planers with 1-2 oz . drop sinkers ” Rob reports . “ The lake is due to turn over soon so the water temperature is consistent at about 50-52 degrees ”. Rob ’ s reports are on the money , as he and his wife Patty have spent 3-5 days exploring Shasta for years in their well-outfitted patio boat . The best-producing patterns right now are bright green colors that can penetrate the slightly stained water . Don ’ t overlook brilliant orange lures also . “ A good buddy of mine caught his personal best rainbow at over 5 lbs . recently with a copper / orange Speedy Shiner ” Rob explained . Other Shasta regulars are nailing nice browns on a new version of Brad ’ s Killer Fishing lures . The “ Skinny Mini ” in a hot green / silver pattern is putting large rainbows and browns on the boat for Jeff Goodwin ’ s Guide Service . Using canned tuna in the lure ’ s bait chamber is all that is needed to make these lures work . Some of these fish are hitting as high as 5 ’ in the water column . Exploring the Upper McCloud , the Sacramento arm to the gooseneck area and even the Pit River arm will get you results at this time . Don ’ t overlook Shasta lure staples this time of year . Rapalas , Hot Ticket spoons , and Speedy Shiners in bright colors can do the trick to boat these big trout . As always , with rising water levels comes debris on the water , so a little caution needs to be exercised when running across the lake and trolling . Bass Fishing at Shasta is very good – “ wide open ” according to Andrew at Phils Props in Redding . Almost any kind of plastic is catching

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