San Joaquin Delta Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Opened with large swimbaits and big topwaters, then switched to dropping spoons on marks once the sun got high. Vibrating crankbaits ripped past the weed edges triggered the largemouth. Smaller swimbaits did not produce.
Lures and baits
Big topwaters and swimbaits, spoons, and vibrating crankbaits on the Delta. For the coming Lake Davis trout run, small orange and chrome spoons like the Junior Trigger Spoon, plus tube flies and small orange flies.
Weather
Shaping up to be a hot day, so Cal ran an early session before the heat and jet ski traffic.
Advice for this week
When topwater and big plugs go quiet as the sun rises, pivot to spoons on your marks. Along the weeds, a vibrating crankbait can turn a slow largemouth stretch into steady grabs.
Next week
The high country is waking up. Cooler nights and shorter days have Lake Davis kicking out early limits, and soft plastics should shine there too. Collins Lake trout plants start around Halloween, with hundreds of holdover fish already present and guided trips opening November 15.
The California Delta is producing enthusiastic striped bass and fun-sized largemouth in mid-September 2025. Capt. Cal Kellogg fished a hot morning session, dropping spoons on marks for stripers and getting largemouth on vibrating crankbaits out of the weeds. Big plugs drew a topwater follow but no hookup. Up high, Lake Davis is kicking off its fall trout bite on small orange spoons.
How is the fishing on the California Delta right now?
Good on a short morning session. Capt. Cal Kellogg threw big swimbaits and topwaters first and drew a huge topwater follow that never committed. Once the sun climbed, he dropped spoons on marks and got enthusiastic, though undersized, stripers, plus fun-sized largemouth on vibrating crankbaits.
What lures are working on the Delta?
A mix. Large plugs, big swimbaits, and big topwaters drew interest early. When the sun got high, spoons dropped on marks produced stripers. Smaller swimbaits did not produce, but vibrating crankbaits got slapped by largemouth bass rushing out of the weeds. The keeper-size fish were tougher to find.
How is the Lake Davis fall trout bite starting?
Kicking off. Cooler nights and shorter days have anglers getting early limits at Lake Davis, with some slow days mixed in. They are trolling the top 10 feet with small orange and chrome spoons, an Orange Trigger Spoon Junior, plus tui chub tube flies, small orange flies, and soft plastics.
When does Collins Lake trout fishing start up?
Trout plants begin around Halloween. Cal is booking Collins Lake trips starting November 15, and says there are still hundreds of holdover trout from last year's plants. Once the surface temperature drops and stocking resumes, he expects productive fishing there all fall through spring.
Watch the full report
California Delta September 15, 2025 FAQ
Striped bass on spoons and fun-sized largemouth bass on vibrating crankbaits, per Capt. Cal Kellogg.
Spoons dropped on marks once the sun is high, after big plugs draw early interest.
Vibrating crankbaits worked near the weeds, where the bass rushed out to grab them.
Trolling the top 10 feet with small orange and chrome spoons like the Orange Trigger Spoon Junior, plus tube flies.
Starting November 15, with trout plants beginning around Halloween.
No. Cal says the stripers were enthusiastic but not keepers on this trip.
