Fishing in the California Delta

The California Delta has many options available for fishing.

Located close to Stockton, California, the California Delta provides expansive terrain for fishing within easy reach of its Northern California neighbors: San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento. It is also a straight drive on Interstate 5 from Los Angeles, San Diego and anywhere else in Southern California. The delta is a major attraction for fishermen from California and all across the United States.

History

The California Delta is created by the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, known as the California Delta, is formed by the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. It is one of only a few inverted river deltas in the world, meaning that the widest portion of the delta is inland instead of at the coast and is composed of lowland islands in the midst of various channels that expand off of the river confluence. Many of the channels are man-made and were initially created by constructing levees to divert water to and away from farms. The combination of lowland islands and channels makes for some great fishing.

Significance

All sizes of boats cruise the delta's waters.

The California Delta features around 1,000 miles of navigable waterways. The California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau reports that since the area was first settled, "Fishing and boating had always been a favored pastime for Deltaphiles"—those who settled and inhabit the delta. However, it was not until after World War II that "Californians began to discover the delta's recreational possibilities." Since then, the delta has been a major attraction for all types of fishing.

Delta Fishing Holes and Bank Fishing

The California Delta is packed with fishing holes.

"Anglers give their favorite fishing spots and waterways descriptive names, which most often you will not find on delta maps and charts," explains the California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau. For example, "A certain spot on the Sacramento River where the high-tension electrical power lines cross over the river and become the predominant feature become 'the Power Lines' as a fishing spot." An extensive list of fishing holes is available on their website. If you're interested in bank fishing, there are "two public piers in Antioch, as well as parks with fishing access." You can also ask anyone at a local bait shop for good advice on where to catch some fish.

Boat Fishing

Fishing boats are available to rent at area marinas.

Many of the marinas in the delta rent small boats that you can take out on the waters for fishing and there are also fishing guides available for boat and charter tours. You're sure to catch some impressive fish with an experienced guide. There are also several boat excursions and tours that don't involve fishing. These are ideal for family members who would prefer not to fish. See the Visitor's Bureau website for additional information.

Specifications

The delta is home to an impressive range of fish.

The California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau explains that there are a wide variety of fish that swim the delta, from very large to very small. For example, the striped bass: "the most sought after fish in the Delta. They run from 2 lbs. to over 50 lbs., but an 8- to 20-pounder is more typical." Then there's the sturgeon, an "awesome, an almost prehistoric fish. Minimum size for a keeper sturgeon is 46 inches." For these large, potentially dangerous fish, experience or a guide is suggested. The delta also features catfish, salmon, black bass and American shad and, if crustaceans are your thing, crawdads. The range of fish in the delta is wide enough to surprise even the most experienced fisherman.

References

• California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau: Delta History
• California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau: Fishing and Crawdading
• California Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau: Location