Sacramento River Fishing Report | April 2026
The report at a glance
Presentation
Most anglers drift minnows, which has been the ticket. With higher water, pocket fishing and working the softer edges stationary has also been effective.
Lures and baits
Drifting minnows was the primary bait. No hardware was called out in this report.
Other techniques
Pocket fishing and working softer edges stationary in higher water.
Water temperature
Pushed into the high 50s, climbing toward the 60s.
Water level
Settled into a steady, consistent flow after early season fluctuations.
Advice for this week
In higher water, slow down and fish the softer edges stationary rather than only drifting.
What is changing
Fish that dropped down last week moved back up into the Colusa stretch. Water temperatures pushed into the high 50s and should climb into the 60s soon.
Next week
Jeff expects a strong spawn over the next one to two weeks, after which many fish will drop back toward the Delta. In May he moves to Shasta Lake for kokanee, rainbows, browns, and king salmon.
The April 2026 striped bass season on the Sacramento River near Colusa has been good and steady. Fish that dropped down last week pushed back up into the Colusa area on a stable water cycle. Drifting minnows is the ticket, and with higher water, pocket fishing softer edges stationary is also effective. Water temps are in the high 50s and climbing toward the 60s.
How is Sacramento River striper fishing in April?
Good and steady, status quo for a solid season. Capt. Jeff Goodwin reports fish that dropped down last week have moved back up into the Colusa area he is fishing, helped by a steady water cycle after earlier fluctuations that had the fish moving around quite a bit.
What technique works for Colusa stripers now?
Most anglers are drifting minnows, and that has been the ticket. With some of the higher water, pocket fishing or working softer edges stationary has also been really effective. Adjust to the flow: drift the steady water and hold on the soft pockets when it comes up.
What are the Sacramento River water conditions?
Water is on a steady cycle now after fluctuations moved fish around earlier in the season. Temperatures are pushing up into the high 50s and should climb into the 60s soon. A little spawning has already happened, and fresh fish are in the system.
What is the spawn outlook for Sacramento stripers?
A bit of spawning activity has already occurred, and Jeff expects a lot of fish to spawn over the next week or two, then start making their way back down into the Delta. So the Colusa window is prime right now before those fish drop out of the system.
What is next for Jeff Goodwin?
After the April striper wrap-up on the Sacramento River, Jeff heads back to Shasta Lake for May, pursuing kokanee salmon, rainbows, browns, and likely some king salmon. No Catch America products were named in this striper report.
Watch the full report
Sacramento River April 2026 FAQ
In the Colusa area, where fish have moved back up on a steady water cycle.
Drifting minnows, with pocket fishing softer edges effective in higher water.
Pushing into the high 50s and expected to climb into the 60s soon.
A little spawning has happened, with more expected over the next week or two.
They make their way back down into the Delta.
Back on Shasta Lake for May, targeting kokanee, rainbows, browns, and king salmon.
