Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Fishing Report – Early Spring Striper Fishing Update (2026)
Happy end of Winter 2026! After taking a much-needed month off during the holidays to reset and prepare for the upcoming season, the 2026 guide season is officially underway on the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. I couldn’t stay off the water any longer and began guiding again last week.
The weather across Northern California has been excellent, giving anglers a great window to get back out on the Delta. Water conditions are improving, although anglers still need to hunt for clean water. Currently we are finding 2–3 feet of visibility in certain areas of the Delta, but clarity varies widely depending on tides and location.
Delta Water Conditions
Water temperatures have jumped significantly and are now ranging from 60–62 degrees in much of the Delta, which is a big step toward spring fishing patterns. Recent tides have pushed a fair amount of floating debris into the system, so boaters should stay alert while running between spots.
These warming temperatures are an important signal that spring striper fishing is approaching, though the main push of migrating fish has not arrived yet.
Current Striper Fishing on the Delta
Fishing over the past week has been steady for late winter conditions. We have been averaging around 10 fish per day, with several quality fish showing up in the mix.
Recent catches have included:
Multiple stripers in the 3–5 pound range
Several larger fish pushing toward 10 pounds
Consistent action with smaller resident fish
Right now it feels like we are mostly targeting resident striped bass, while waiting for the larger schools of migrating stripers to show up ahead of the spring spawn.
Best Fly Fishing Techniques Right Now
To keep things fun and active, most of our fishing has been focused in shallow water between 2–6 feet deep. A Type 3 sinking fly line has been ideal for maintaining the right depth while covering water.
The most productive pattern lately has been a Steve Adachi–style Rattle Clouser, particularly in the Black and Chartreuse color combination with purple cheeks (the Joker). This fly continues to be one of the most reliable patterns for targeting Delta stripers during the late winter and early spring transition.
Looking Ahead to Spring Delta Fishing
While spring striper fishing on the Delta has not fully kicked into gear yet, conditions suggest that things should begin improving over the next few weeks as water temperatures stabilize and migrating fish move into the system.
Winter fishing on the Delta can always be spotty and unpredictable, so it feels fortunate to be finding consistent fish right now. The key is being willing to hunt for clean water and keep moving until you locate active fish.
The stripers are out there, and on the right day you can absolutely get into them.
As we move closer to peak spring striped bass fishing in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, expect the action to continue building.
