May 26 Fishing Report - Sacramento River (specifically Redding for trout, and below Princeton for shad)

Location & Conditions

  • Body of Water: Sacramento River (specifically Redding for trout, and below Princeton for shad)
  • City / Region: Redding (for trout), Princeton (for shad)
  • Date of Report: May 26th
  • Weather Conditions: Mid-70s (for striper fishing)
  • Water Temperature: Not specified 
  • Water Clarity: Beautiful (for trout in Redding), Clear (for striper fishing), Not clear but not murky either; definitely fishable (for shad below Princeton)
  • Water Level / Flow: Water has been coming up (for shad fishing)

Fishing Overview

  • Overall Fishing Rating (1–5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (described as "amazing" for trout, "fantastic" for striper fishing, "lights out" for shad)
  • Target Species: Wild Rainbow Trout, Stripers, Shad
  • Most Active Depth Range: Not specified 
  • Most Effective Presentation:
    1. Trout: Fishing small little orange soft beads.
    2. Stripers: Using minnows (some days dropping right on a pile of them).
    3. Shad: Using green with sparkle and a red head, with a little bit of split shot.
  • Best Time of Day: Evening times (for shad fishing – 30 to 50 fish).
  • Successful Lures or Baits Used: Small orange soft beads (trout), Minnows (stripers), Green with sparkle/red head with split shot (shad).
  • Other Techniques That Worked: Not specified 
  • Notable Catches:

    1.Trout: Landed 27 fish, hooked probably 35 (wild rainbow trout, described as beautiful and gorgeous).
    2. Stripers: Catching limits.
    3. Shad: 30 to 50 fish in the evening.


Guide’s Tips & Notes

  • Advice for This Week:

    1.Trout (Redding): Use barbless hooks and practice catch and release.
    2.Shad (below Princeton): The water's been coming up. Try green with sparkle and a red head, with a little bit of split shot.
  • General: It's a fantastic time to get out and fish as "everywhere is fishing.
  • Changes You’re Seeing: Not specifically detailed but the report notes "the water's been coming up" for shad.
  • Predictions for Next Week: Not specified 

 

Previous Post Next Post

Related Posts

May 26, 2025 - Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report Location & Conditions Body of Water: Truckee River City / Region: Truckee, California Date of Report: May 26th Weather Conditions: Warming trend; consistent early summer conditions Water Temperature: Low 50s°F Water Clarity: Clear Water Level / Flow: Strong, fast flows throughout the river system     Fishing Overview Overall Fishing Rating (1–5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Target Species: Wild trout Most Active Depth Range: Fast-water runs and riffles; nymphs fished 1–3 ft deep Most Effective Presentation: Euro nymphing and indicator nymph rigs with split shot Best Time of Day: Late morning through afternoon Successful Lures or Baits Used: Tan caddis nymphs Size 18 baetis Worm patterns Rubber legs (stonefly imitations) Carpenter ant dries (sizes 16 and up) Other Techniques That Worked: Hopper-dropper rigs (most fish on the dropper) Dry fly action still limited but improving with ant hatches Notable Catches: Strong numbers reported from fast water across the river; no single standout catch mentioned, but consistent action noted   Guide’s Tips & Notes Advice for This Week: Bring both your Euro and bobber rigs—nymphing is the most productive technique right now. Fish are locked into fast water and feeding aggressively on subsurface insects. Be ready with a variety of bug patterns and sizes, and don’t overlook ants as a surface option. Changes You’re Seeing: After a long, cold spring with fish stacked in winter holding spots, trout are now spreading out. This opens up new runs, reduces angler pressure in key zones, and provides more opportunities across the entire river. Predictions for Next Week: Expect the river to continue fishing strong as fast water becomes the dominant zone through September. Surface activity should improve as the carpenter ant hatch picks up, with dry fly fishing gradually becoming more viable.  

Learn more
May 26 Fishing Report - Bridgeport Reservoir

May 26 Fishing Report - Bridgeport Reservoir

Location & Conditions Body of Water: Bridgeport Reservoir City / Region: Eastern Sierra, California Date of Report: May 26th Weather Conditions: Not specified Water Temperature: Not specified Water Clarity: Starting to diminish due to increasing algae Water Level / Flow: Normal, with signs of seasonal weed and algae growth beginning   Fishing Overview Overall Fishing Rating (1–5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Target Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout Most Active Depth Range: Not specified Most Effective Presentation: Trolling Best Time of Day: Not specified Successful Lures or Baits Used: Frankenstein Trigger Spoon Other Techniques That Worked: Bait fishing (also producing results, but not as hot as trolling) Notable Catches: Steady action on both rainbows and browns; near-daily limits possible, though practicing catch and release Guide’s Tips & Notes Advice for This Week: Get out on Bridgeport Reservoir now while the trolling bite is hot. Focus on trolling with Frankenstein Trigger Spoons for best results. Bait anglers are catching fish too, but trolling has the edge right now. Changes You’re Seeing: Algae is beginning to build up in the reservoir. Expect water clarity to continue decreasing. In about three weeks, expect a full algae bloom and weed growth, which will likely slow down the trolling bite. Predictions for Next Week: Trolling will likely still be effective in the short term but be ready to shift to bait fishing as algae levels rise. Monitor water clarity closely and adjust your tactics accordingly.  

Learn more
May 26 Fishing Report - Upper Twin Lakes

May 26 Fishing Report - Upper Twin Lakes

Location & Conditions Body of Water: Upper Twin Lakes City / Region: Eastern Sierra, California Date of Report: May 26th Weather Conditions: Not specified Water Temperature: Not specified Water Clarity: Not specified Water Level / Flow: Not specified Fishing Overview Overall Fishing Rating (1–5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Target Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon Most Active Depth Range: Not specified Most Effective Presentation: Trolling Best Time of Day: Not specified Successful Lures or Baits Used:1.Trout Trix Worm (bubblegum color) with Action Disc2.Trigger Spoon (gold color) Other Techniques That Worked: Light trolling for kokanee Notable Catches:Good numbers of quality rainbow trout~12 kokanee salmon in 1.5 hours (average 8 inches)No browns reported this week Guide’s Tips & Notes Advice for This Week: Trolling is still producing great results for rainbows at Upper Twin. If you're targeting kokanee, be prepared to weed through small fish—there’s quantity but not much size right now. Skip the kokanee bite unless you’re just out for fun. Changes You’re Seeing:Kokanee are running small this season—about 8 inches on average. That’s below the usual 10–12 inches seen this time of year in this region. Also, trolling for browns was tough due to holiday crowds and anchored bait fishermen clogging key areas. Predictions for Next Week:Expect rainbow action to remain solid if trolling continues to be an option. Unless kokanee size improves, focus your efforts on rainbows. If the crowds thin out, brown trout trolling could rebound.  

Learn more

Leave a comment