The California Delta fishing scene requires no introduction – freshwater anglers from all over the country are in on the secret! This estuary, also known as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, is the meeting point of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, where both fish and anglers come out to play.
King Salmon and Striped Bass are the stars and the most prized local catches. These waters are also the playground of White Sturgeon, the prehistoric acrobat that will give you a run for your money. You could easily hook into Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, but they’re usually not the main target of fishing efforts.
For a change of pace, you can always count on excellent Catfishing, and there are three species you could fish for – Channel, Bullhead, and White Catfish. If you’d like to try something different, go set traps for Crawdaddies (aka Crayfish), which are a local delicacy and incredibly fun to catch for kids and grownups alike.
There’s a lot of trip options to browse through, and half day excursions are a regular choice of new-comers. Full day trips are popular as well and give you more time on the water and more chances of landing something bragworthy. Some charters offer specialized Salmon and Sturgeon trips, as well as shared expeditions, that are affordable, but slightly less personalized.
If you’re looking for a professional guide to the best of the California Delta fishing action, you’ll easily find one. There are charters that head out of Pittsburgh, Rio Vista, and even Richmond, and San Francisco.
Rules & Regulations
Local captains will clue you in about the fishing regulations you need to know while fishing the Delta. They take it upon themselves to provide you with quality tackle and a reliable boat, and it’s up to you to take care of your freshwater fishing license.