16 February 28 , 2025 VOL . 44 • ISS . 2

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

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RIO VISTA / DELTA

blue colors are still working for them . Now onto a sturgeon report . Captain Mike Funtanilla of Bend Ur Rod Sportfishing told me that the sturgeon bite is good , but because of the cold water the sturgeon have become lethargic . Captain Mike has been putting his clients on sturgeon , and an occasional striper , in the Grizzly Bay area using a combination of roe and eel ( see the attached photos ). Now further up river , Captain Rickey Acosta of Feeding Frenzy Sportfishing has been fishing with his customers in the area of Decker Island . Capt . Rickey continued to tell me that he has been soaking salmon roe , eel , and ghost shrimp in roughly 35 feet of water for his sturgeon ( see the attached photo ). If you would like more information about the California Striped Bass Association ( CSBA ), go to our website ( www . striper-csba . org ). You will be able to access all the information related to the 4 CSBA Chapters . New members only pay $ 25 , that includes a one-time $ 5 initiation fee . After the first year of membership the annual dues are only $ 20 . Your membership helps to strengthen our mission to protect striped bass and our fisheries . Some Chapters will give you a free gift just for joining . The Isleton-Delta Chapter gives all new members two free Isleton Chapter decals and a Chapter hat as a thank you for joining our Chapter . Membership forms are available for each Chapter on the website . Just click on your Chapter of choice and go to the membership page , fill out the application , print it and send your application and payment to the address listed on the application . The Isleton Chapter

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accepts credit cards online on the website for new memberships , membership renewals as well as our chapter ’ s events . The website also has Chapters ’ newsletters , photos , interesting articles , and useful links that will help you plan your next fishing trip . Until next month , wishing you tight lines and great fishing …. 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 Baccetti

RUSSIAN RIVER

Steelhead Anglers Are Waiting for River to Clear

GUERNEVILLE - The rain has passed and besides a couple of small storms in the next 5 days . it looks like a drying trend is in store for the Russian River . The Russian should crest today at 24 ’, so nothing too crazy . 7 days of dry weather and it may be plunkable . Otherwise the coastal streams should be clear enough by early next week and the South Fork of the Eel River by the following week . The latest hatchery report is 1100 steelhead total , with 700 in Warm Springs Hatchery and 400 in the Coyote facility . It ’ s not great , but better than last year . We have all you need for catching when the water gets right ! Before the storms when the Russian was fishable , it seems like the action came in little spurts with plugs , Little Cleos , soft beads , and roe working the best .

- King ’ s Sport & Tackle

SACRAMENTO RIVER

Closure of Sacramento River Lifted ; Public Still Urged to be Cautious

REDDING – Due to decreased water releases into the Sacramento River , the 10-day closure of the river to recreational boaters in Shasta County has been rescinded by Sheriff Michael Johnson effective 8 am , Monday , February 17 , 2025 . The closure had been in effect since February 7 , 2025 , when it was enacted to avoid unnecessary risk to recreational river users / boaters and rescue personnel . At its most , the Keswick Dam released up to 60,000 cubic feet per second of

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Your Hosts Harold and Arlene Jones 19667 Lakeshore Dr . • Lakehead , CA 96051 water from the dam , leading to flooding along the river and lower-lying areas . Releases below Keswick had decreased to 8,500 cfs by Feb . 26 . Before the river became high and unfishable , fly fishermen and other anglers were catching good numbers of wild rainbow trout and some steelhead while fishing an array of flies , plugs and baits in the Redding section of the river . Although the water releases have decreased , they are still higher than normal , and the public is urged to remain cautious when on or near the river and tributaries . Always make sure to ensure watercraft are in good condition prior to heading out on the water and carry all necessary safety equipment and personal flotation devices for all people on board the vessel .

- Dan Bacher

LAKE SHASTA

Trout and Salmon Take Center Stage

Lake Shasta continues to deliver exceptional opportunities for anglers targeting rainbow trout , brown trout , and landlocked King salmon . With its massive size — California ’ s largest reservoir — and a thriving ecosystem supported by both natural reproduction and consistent stocking from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ), Lake Shasta is firing on all cylinders this winter . Here ’ s the latest on the trout and salmon fishing scene , based on current conditions and angler reports .

Lake conditions : As of mid-February 2025 , Lake Shasta is in excellent shape following a strong winter season . The lake level is hovering just over 35 feet below full pool , a testament to recent precipitation and inflows from its major tributaries — the Sacramento , McCloud , and Pit Rivers , along with Squaw Creek . Water temperatures are holding steady at 46-47 ° F , creating ideal cold-water conditions for trout and salmon . The water clarity is a perfect greenish hue , with minimal murkiness despite some floating debris in certain areas , particularly away from the Pit Arm . Releases from Shasta Dam have settled at about 25,000 cubic feet per second ( cfs ), helping to clear debris fields and maintain stable fishing conditions . During the height of the February storms , the lake rose to approximately 15 ’ below full pool and releases as high as 60,000 cfs were experienced .

Trout Fishing : Rainbows and Browns Shine

Trout fishing on Lake Shasta is hitting its winter stride , with rainbow and brown trout providing

4402 consistent action for both trollers and shore anglers . The cooler temperatures have pushed these fish into shallower depths , typically ranging from the surface down to 20 feet , though some larger specimens are being caught deeper when anglers deploy

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