The middle fork of the feather river canyon has some 32 miles of inaccessible trout waters by road and is home of some of the best fly fishing in the state of california. State of california before the state water resources. Flow agreements to benefit these fish are on every major watercourse in the sacramento valley. The lower feather river, the sacramento rivers largest tributary, begins at the oroville dam. Feather river fly fishing guides steelhead northern california.
Chapter 15 summary of effects analysis and effects. Central valley steelhead lower feather river hydrologic subarea 5515. The feather river steelhead tour is designed to give anglers information about fishing the steelhead in the feather river. Steelhead are thoughout the river system, but the further up you go the better it gets. This included various tour groups which were guided by hatchery. Not only will you have a great time fishing with us and hook fish, you will. The feather river salmon and steelhead hatchery has been californias best kept secret. Find fishing reports, fishing maps and tips on how to fish for salmon and steelhead. We can arrange guided walk and wade or triftboat trips with an outstanding local fly fishing guide for you.
To learn more either keep reading or give us a call at 5302424122 or 7072872939 for a current fishing report or information on experiencing exciting feather river steelhead fishing for yourself. The success of the sacramento river steelhead study was due to the efforts of. Basin, feather river hatchery on the feather river butte county, nimbus hatchery on the american river sacramento county, and mokelumne river hatchery on the mokelumne. A large factor affecting all the listed salmonids is the loss of spawning and rearing habitat upstream of various dams. Watersheds in california with salmon andor steelhead. Sacramento river winterrun chinook salmon not shown because this esu has only one region basalt and porous lava. Californias feather river hatchery salmon ladder is open. About feather river starting from lake oroville the lower feather river is 48 miles of fairly steady flow, without lots of fast rapid covered water. Feather river t h e c a l i f o r n i a t d e p a r t m e n t o f w a t e r a r e s o u r c e s a sav it or hec y, uwl nm have intervened to help m other nature ensure the continuation of spring and fall run chinook salmon and steelhead trout. The hatchery was built by dwr to mitigate for the loss of chinook salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat resulting from the construction of oroville dam and ancillary facilities. Feather river steelhead fly fishing trips with confluence.
The california department of fish and wildlife released hundreds of thousands of steelhead smolts into the feather river, where theyll swim to the pacific ocean before returning in a couple years. Feather river steelhead with pro guide kevin brock youtube. Feather river salmon and steelhead hatchery 197071 by donald schlichting region 2, inland fisheries. An underwater viewing window displays migrating salmon or steelhead during the approximate dates of midseptember through june. Chapter 3 basic biology, life history and baseline for. In contrast, hatcheryreared, central valley steelhead consistently selected temperatures of 18 to 19c, while wild.
Growth investigations of wild juvenile steelhead in the feather river, ca using mark and recapture techniques oroville facilities p2100 relicensing kindopp page 3 june 17, 2003 d. Steelhead, striper and shad oh my, we have been having a few trifectas over the past 2 weeks, and its only getting better. Cdfw to release a halfmillion steelhead into feather river. Read more salmon anglers find best success on opener in feather river. Northern california fly fishing guide service, fishing trip and information resource. Feather river hatchery raises chinook salmon and steelhead along the feather river, just below lake oroville. The tour will include transportation along the river, riverside lunch and beverages. The valley steelhead migrate into the river each spring and fall, with march, april october and november being prime months to target these fish. Stripers still biting as anglers get ready for salmon on feather river.
Over the past ten days the feather river hatchery has been planting juvenile steelhead into the feather river. They follow the salmon up the river, so late october into november is the ideal time to fish for them. The feather river near oroville, california has good numbers of feisty fallrun steelhead. Information first federally designated wild and scenic river that is the distinction held by the feather river. Wildflower flourishes amid abundant trees and along the forks of the nearby feather river and lake oroville with its 167 miles of unspoiled shoreline. Adult steelhead counts at coleman, feather river, and.
Eggs eggs eggs the feather river steelhead fishery revolves around the king salmon spawn. Emigration of juvenile chinook salmon oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the feather river, 20022004. The strain of steelhead found in the feather river dont get as big as their coastal cousins but they fight and pull just as hard. The 125,000 fish released monday were the first of the fish reared from eggs rescued from the feather river fish hatchery during last years feather river. The feather river is an awesome steelhead fishery, and has one of the largest steelhead runs in the valley. Northern california fly fishing report january 4, 2018. Salmon originally ascended a considerable distance into the feather river system, particularly the spring run which spawned in the higher streams and headwaters. Ocap ba steelhead factors august 2008 41 chapter 4 factors that may influence steelhead distribution and abundance this chapter describes the factors that affect steelhead and critical habitat in the action area. River miles 0 to 42 are comprised mostly of flatwater habitat and.
Coleman national fish hatchery and feather river hatchery steelhead stocks are considered part of. Morphometric variation among four distinct population. He accommodated us at the last minute 48 hour notice and was very thoughtful about adjusting the site of our trip based on the weather conditions. Techniques used to consistently catch limits of salmon in the feather river include backtrolling sardinewrapped flatfish through the runs, and bouncing roe through the deeper holes. There are nine staterun anadromous salmon and steelhead hatcheries, all of which will participate in the salmon spawning effort. Off the hook fly fishing offers the very best fly fishing guide trips on californias feather river for steelhead.
Lake oroville the lake surface elevation is 728 feet. Feather river steelhead is a threatened species under the protection of the federal esa. Feather river hatchery is located on the feather river near the upper thermulito bridge in oroville, california. Historical and current distribution of pacific salmonids in the central valley, ca robert s. Brian poxon psmfc, ryon kurth cdfw, jonathan nelson. Despite a few built up areas around yuba city, etc. Field inspection trip to the matilijaventura watershed in relation to the. We do most of our fishing on the feather with indicators and egg and nymph patterns. Oroville area fishing and outdoor report 11 30 2016 by craig bentley 2016 bass continue on a fair bite on lake oroville and on the feather river below town, steelhead trout fishing yields fair catches for visiting anglers while locals wait for the reach upstream of hwy 70 to open on jan. It merges with the yuba river, then on to its entry to the sacramento river. Salmon and steelhead, raised at the hatchery, are released in the river or in san francisco bay, to. Stream target species monitoring method variables measured agency contact sacramento, american, feather, yuba, san joaquin, and mokelumne rivers all chinook runs, steelhead. We project that steelhead populations in the feather river will be maintained through continued operation of the project. Stream habitat restoration manual flosi and reynolds 1994.
Cdfw staff at the feather river fish hatchery in oroville are also seeing a big fall chinook. The feather river near oroville, california is well known for its large runs of salmon and the steelhead are right behind them. Feather river fishing report marysville, california. Cdfg should develop an updated hatchery procedure manual which includes. Kneeland the sacramento river salmon season is underway, and the fish are starting to fill the river. This report describes operation of feather river salmon and steelhead hntchery from july 1, 1969 through june 30, 1970. Watersheds in california with salmon andor steelhead identified as nmfs listed resources of concern for epas pgp. Steelhead follow the salmon up the river and feed heavily on their eggs. Visitors will enjoy their time at feather river hatchery any time of year and great fishing is available on. Shopping is close at hand, with a small center located within walking distance of the oaks front gates. Oroville to the delight of anglers, the california department of fish and wildlife cdfw will be stocking 140,000 to 150,000 feather river steelhead in the thermalito afterbay this year. Feather river steelhead fly fishing guide kevin brock will lead you to them. The feather river is one of the many prime destination to fish during the fall steelhead run.
After two to three years in he oc a n, ty i sv l ru g through the delta, up the sacramento river to the feather river and the. Typically we are the only boatanglers on the water, and the lack of fishing pressure tru. The lower feather river figure 1 is located within the central valley of california, draining an. We will cover equipment, flies, and rigging techniques that have been proven on the river. The mokelumne river is not the only central valley river seeing improved runs of salmon and steelhead. The middle and north fork sections of the feather river are covered under different stream sections of this website. We had an estimated 2,000 1971 brood year feather river strain steelhead on. Fly fishing the feather river california the feather river is a tailwater below lake oroville and one of californias best steelhead streams. Great steelhead fishing in just over an hour from down town sacramento. This river boasts healthy runs of salmon and steelhead. Hundreds of thousands of steelhead released into feather river. Feather river low water fall chinook salmon fishing duration.
The steelhead life history includes anadromous and resident forms of the species, allowing populations to persist both during periods of poor ocean conditions and periods of low freshwater in streams. Emigration of juvenile chinook salmon oncorhynchus. For information about hatchery tours, please call 530 5342306. Join california hunting clubs and private ranches with fishing. This video shows how to catch these silver torpedoes. Chapter 3 basic biology, life history and baseline for central valley steelhead.
Copies of previous annual reports are available upon request from the anadromous fisheries branch, sacramento. Feather river fish hatchery bedrock park riffle highway 162 riffle out house riffle. This year has been memorable one for striped bass on the feather river and veteran guides and anglers are. Hatchery 201718 2 tagged steelhead reported by anglers in sacramento river 2 tagged steelhead detected at mokelumne hatchery ladder pit array. Feather river fish hatchery, and nimbus hatchery, 196793 bottom. Feather river fly fishing guides steelhead northern. If youre willing to make the hike down into the scenic and wild river canyon, designated by the us federal government, you will for sure be rewarded for your efforts with great catches. Morphometric variation among four distinct population segments of california steelhead trout farhat s. Sacramento river basin improving conditions for salmon northern. As one of the main tributaries of the sacramento river, the feather river has one of the highest returns of salmon and steelhead in the valley. Shasta area was the halfday float we did with jack.
Historical and present distribution of chinook salmon in the central. The highlight of the memorial day weekend trip my fiancee and i took to the mt. Feather river fish hatchery california department of. In the tributaries anglers do almost no boating but sometimes walk consider.
Oroville most bank anglers and boat fishermen experienced challenging salmon fishing on opening day, july 16, for chinook salmon. Salmon and steelhead, raised at the hatchery, are released in the river or in san francisco bay, to find their way to the pacific ocean where they mature. Lance gray will lead you along the river, showing you access areas, riffles, and how to fish them. Adult steelhead monitoring programs in the central valley. That the two hatchery strains had higher growth rates than the steelhead.
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