Sacramento Fishing Guides
Sacramento fishing charters target the lower Sacramento River and its sloughs for striped bass, salmon, catfish, and sturgeon.
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Sacramento, CA Fishing Guide
Fishing around Sacramento is all about the big river. The Sacramento River runs right through the city, and most charters launch from Discovery Park, Miller Park, or Verona to reach prime stretches quickly. Half-day trips focus on striped bass or catfish closer to town, while full-day charters cover more ground upriver toward Knights Landing or down toward Rio Vista depending on the season. With a broad river channel, deep bends, and strong currents, captains here know exactly which holes and seams hold fish when flows change.
Striped bass runs are the biggest draw each spring and again in fall. In spring, stripers push up from the Delta to spawn, and guides work the seams, sandbars, and levee edges by trolling deep-diving plugs, drifting live minnows, or casting swimbaits. Fall brings another wave of fish chasing bait upriver, and trolling or jigging with spoons puts plenty of fish in the boat.
Chinook salmon push upriver late summer into fall, with Sacramento serving as one of the most popular staging grounds in the system. Captains backtroll plugs, anchor with roe, or drift bait through deep slots where salmon rest. It’s a patient game, but when you hook up, you’re into a fish that can run 20–30 pounds.
Sturgeon and catfish are year-round options. White sturgeon hold in deep holes and are usually targeted with heavy rigs baited with lamprey, eel, or roe. Channel catfish keep rods bent in the warm months, with night trips on sandy flats producing plenty of steady action. Local guides often split trips, running light tackle for stripers first and then anchoring for sturgeon or catfish later in the day.
Run distances are short compared to offshore fisheries. Stripers may be biting right below the I-80 bridge, while salmon charters run only 15–20 minutes upriver or downriver to find staging lanes. Water flow, temperature, and clarity all dictate tactics, and guides adjust daily to stay on fish. Sacramento sits at the crossroads of the river system, making it one of California’s best year-round freshwater charter bases.
Fishing Seasons in Sacramento
Spring (March–May)
Striped bass dominate the Sacramento in March through May as they push upriver to spawn. Drifting live bait, trolling plugs, and casting swimbaits all work. Catfish start biting more consistently, and some early-season sturgeon are still being caught before flows rise too much.
Summer (June–August)
Hot weather means slower days, but catfish fishing stays strong, especially on night trips anchored along sandy bottoms. Striper action slows, though holdovers can be caught early mornings. Sturgeon remain an option in deeper holes. Summer is often the family-friendly season with steady catfish action over trophy hunting.
Fall (September–November)
September through November is prime time. Chinook salmon run hard, with charters trolling Kwikfish and drifting roe through staging areas. Stripers return in numbers too, feeding aggressively before winter. Catfish remain steady, and sturgeon pick back up as water cools, making fall the most versatile season.
Winter (December–February)
Cold water slows most species, but trophy sturgeon remain active in deep holes. Salmon are out of season, and striper numbers thin until spring. Catfish hang deep but can still be caught with cut bait. Winter is the time for patient sturgeon anglers chasing a true giant.
Gamefish in Sacramento
- Striped Bass – 5–20 lbs. Peak in spring and fall; taken trolling plugs, drifting minnows, or casting swimbaits.
- Chinook Salmon – 10–30 lbs. Fall-run fish targeted by drifting roe and backtrolling plugs through deep river slots
- White Sturgeon – 30–150+ lbs. Found year-round in deep holes; best with lamprey or cured roe baits on heavy gear.
- Channel Catfish – 2–10 lbs. Abundant summer target, best at night with cut bait or chicken liver.
- Steelhead – 3–8 lbs. Occasional in winter months; caught drifting Steelhead – 3–8 lbs. Occasional in winter months; caught drifting bait or smaller plugsbait or smaller plugs
- American Shad – 1–4 lbs. Run in late spring, hit small spoons and darts in fast water.
- Smallmouth Bass – 1–3 lbs. Found in rocky stretches and slough mouths, taken on crankbaits and soft plastics.
Sacramento Fishing FAQs
Where do most charters launch in Sacramento?
Discovery Park, Miller Park, and Verona are the main ramps, giving quick access to productive river stretches both upriver and downriver.
How long are typical trips?
Half-day trips (4–5 hours) usually target stripers or catfish near town. Full-day trips (8+ hours) focus on salmon or sturgeon and cover more river miles.
Is gear provided on Sacramento fishing charters?
Yes, rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all supplied. Heavy sturgeon rigs and lighter striper/catfish setups are standard.
Do I need a license to fish Sacramento?
Yes, a California freshwater fishing license is required. Sturgeon trips also require a Sturgeon Report Card.
What’s the best time to fish Sacramento?
Spring for stripers, fall for salmon and stripers together, and year-round for sturgeon and catfish.
What fishing methods are most common here?
Drifting and trolling for stripers, backtrolling plugs and drifting roe for salmon, heavy anchoring rigs for sturgeon, and bait fishing for catfish.
How big are the fish caught around Sacramento?
Stripers average 5–12 lbs with trophies over 30. Salmon average 12–25 lbs. Sturgeon can easily top 100 lbs.
Can large groups fish together?
Yes, most boats carry 4–6 anglers. Larger groups can book multiple boats fishing in the same area.
Do Sacramento charters run specialty trips?
Yes, popular specialty options include trophy sturgeon hunts, American shad trips in late spring, and striper-only charters in April and May.