Spring stripers run up the Sacramento and Feather rivers, and live minnows are the top method. Drag minnows behind the boat instead of sitting on anchor when fish are moving. The bite peaks with warm, stable weather in the high 60s to mid 70s, then winds down as water warms and fish spawn off and drop back to the Delta. Expect roughly three to six weeks of action, from late April into mid May. The best days produce doubles, triples, and even 60-plus fish.
When is the spring striper run on the Sacramento River?
Roughly late April into mid May, about three to six weeks. Fish spread from the Delta up to Butte City on the Sacramento River and up to Yuba City on the Feather River. The run winds down through mid to late May as water temperatures climb and fish spawn off.
What is the best bait for spring stripers?
Live minnows. Kevin Brock and Brett Brady both run minnows all day during the run. You can also catch stripers on swimbaits, worms, and lures, but as Brett Brady puts it, minnow is king. Keep fresh, lively minnows in the water and stay on the fish.
Should you anchor or drag minnows for stripers?
Drag minnows behind the boat when fish are on the move. One guide noted that sitting on picks or anchor was not as good as actively dragging minnows. Dragging produced multiple hookups, doubles, and triples on a windy day when few other boats were out.
What weather turns on the striper bite?
Warm, stable weather. Kevin Brock reported near-perfect conditions in the high 60s to mid 70s with clear water. Stripers still bit hard in 30 to 40 mph wind on one trip, so do not write off a blustery day if you can safely fish it.
How do you find stripers when the main group moves?
Follow them downstream. As the run progressed, the main group moved down toward Tisdale and lower. Pluck away on the sides and wait for waves of fish, or trade information with other boats to search and locate fresh pods moving through the system.
When does the spring striper season end?
By mid to late May the river run ends as water temperatures rise and fish spawn off and head back to the Delta. Guides then follow them into the Delta system, where a late push can still produce 60-plus fish days before the bite fades.
What comes after the spring striper run?
Guides switch over to kokanee, king salmon, and trout as the stripers wind down. The Delta keeps producing stripers later into summer and fall, so the fishery does not end, it just moves downstream and changes gears.
Watch the technique
Spring striper fishing with minnows on the Sacramento River FAQ
From the Delta up to Butte City on the Sacramento River, and up to about Yuba City on the Feather River. Fish spread through that whole stretch during the spring run.
Live minnows. They out-produce other offerings during the river run, though swimbaits, worms, and lures also catch fish.
Yes. One trip in 30 to 40 mph gusts still gave exceptional minnow fishing, with multiple hookups, doubles, and triples while most boats stayed home.
The best days produce doubles, triples, and limits in minutes. One Delta day topped 60 to 70 fish.
Guides reported fish up to 15 pounds during the spring run.
Mid to late May, as water temperatures climb and fish spawn off and drop back to the Delta.
Yes. Swimbaits, worms, and spoons all work. Blade Runner spoons in green and black scored well on a Delta day, but minnow is king during the river run.
Back to the Delta, where they can be caught later into summer and fall.
