Rio Vista/Delta
Trollers Slam Striped Bass
RIO VISTA – The striper bite in the Delta has been improving in recent weeks, according to avid striper angler Mark Wilson.
Mark tells me that on his most recent trip, he and his friends caught 16 keepers and 8 shakers to 8 pounds releasing all but their limits. Mark said they fished both the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, but they had their best luck on the San Joaquin River from Eddo’s Marina to the Antioch Bridge trolling both deep diver and shallow running Yozuri and P-Line lures.
Lures in red and white and green colors were the most productive mainly on the outgoing tide. Grass was a problem, so Mark suggested to check your lures regularly. Water temperature averaged 76 degrees with wind.
The inland river salmon season opened on July 16, 2026. Mark hasn’t heard of many salmon caught on the Sacramento River in the Rio Vista area, but expects it to improve in the next month or so.
The sturgeon season closed on June 30, 2026 and will reopen on October 1, 2026. A sturgeon report will resume once the season reopens.
I wrote about this last couple of months, but it’s worth repeating. If you don’t have a fishing license, no problem! One free fishing day is still available to prospective anglers in California. If you’ve been curious about fishing but never decided to buy a license, California is giving you one more chance to try it for free this year.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) remaining annual “Free Fishing Day” falls on Saturday, September 5, 2026. On this day, anyone can fish anywhere in the state without purchasing a sport fishing license.
There are a few things to keep in mind. While you do not need a license on a “Free Fishing Day,” all other fishing regulations still apply. That means bag limits, size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and any seasonal closures are still in effect. You are responsible for knowing the rules for the water you are fishing. Also, if report cards are required where you plan to fish, they can be purchased through CDFW’s licensing portal.
If you would like more information about the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), go to our website (www.striper-csba.org). You will be able to access all the information related to the 4 CSBA Chapters. New members only pay $25, that includes a one-time $5 initiation fee.
After the first year of membership the annual dues are only $20. Your membership helps to strengthen our mission to protect striped bass and our fisheries. Some Chapters will give you a free gift just for joining.
The Isleton-Delta Chapter gives all new members two free Isleton Chapter decals and a Chapter hat as a thank you for joining our Chapter. Membership forms are available for each Chapter on the website. Just click on your Chapter of choice and go to the membership page, fill out the application, print it and send your application and payment to the address listed on the application.
The Isleton Chapter accepts credit cards online on the website for new memberships, membership renewals as well as our chapter’s events. The website also has Chapters’ newsletters, photos, interesting articles, and useful links that will help you plan your next fishing trip.
- Ken Baccetti, President of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton-Delta Chapter.
