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Salmon in bay and off coast

Fishing and hunting

Salmon anglers were smiling this week because action picked up off the Golden Gate and off the Sonoma coast, and they're in fairly close, which also means they could make an appearance inside the Bay any day.

The action, so far, is more consistent in the ocean than inside the Bay, but Keith Fraser, at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael, said there have been some really good days recently at Cal City (near Tiburon shoreline).

Keith also said that striped-bass fishing has improved this week with some large fish caught with drifting shiners and lots of keeper-sized bass taken by trollers along the Marin shoreline.

Finally, halibut are also starting to bite, and some guys are having great days doubling-down on striper and halibut limits. Keith said it depends on the tides a great deal. He is booking party boats for Bay fishing and, depending on the tides, it is possible to go after all three species in one trip. Call Keith at 415-456-0321.

To book a party boat over at the Sonoma coast, call Capt. Rick Powers, at Bodega Bay Sportfishing, 875-3344. Rick is booking combo salmon and rockfish trips.

Moving north in the Bay, anglers are catching stripers near the Pump House and in the Petaluma River near Port Sonoma, reports Diane at Leonard's Bait Shop.

The Napa River is also providing some striper action for local anglers.

As water temperatures drop, lake fishing is bound to improve. I saw a couple of reports from Clear Lake that indicated that early-risers are finding good largemouth bass bites. Haven't seen much on Berryessa or Lake Sonoma.

Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is good right now, according to guide Kirk Portocarrero. Call him at 800-670-4448.  The lower Klamath River is reported to have the best salmon fishing it has had in 15 years.

Trout fishing on the lower Sacramento River near Redding is also excellent right now, and Bob Grace, at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir, said the upper Sac is fishing fair to good.  Unfortunately, forest fires in neighboring counties have reduced the air quality and prevented angler access to the lower McCloud River.