08/27/2026
My name is Ken Baccetti. I’m the President of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton-Delta Chapter. As a lifelong fisherman, fishing the California Delta, San Francisco Bay, and ocean waters, I am pleased to be your fishing reporter. Now on to the fish report for August 26, 2026.
I wrote about this last couple of months, but it’s worth repeating as September 5th is next week. 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.
Meanwhile the striper bite in the Delta has been excellent according to legendary striper trolling expert Mark Wilson. Mark tells me that on his most recent trip, he and his friends caught 21 keepers and 6 shakers up to 12 pounds releasing all but their limits (see the attached photo). Mark further told me all of his fish were caught trolling the West Bank below Rio Vista. He continued to say that he trolled both down and up-river from channel marker 19 to channel marker 11. He caught fish trolling both directions on the outgoing and incoming tides using deep diving lures. Mark said that any deep diving Yozuri or P-Line lures in chartreuse color or a red head and silver body were the most productive. Mark did say that the wind and grass hampered them all day, but if you reel up and clean the grass off your lines often, you’ll catch fish. The water temperature has dropped somewhat to 73 degrees. The salmon bite above the Rio Vista Bridge is sparce with only an occasional fish being caught. Mark did add that as the water temperature drops, the salmon bite should improve.
If you’re interested in fishing a derby, I’m pleased to announce that the “Rio Vista Bass Derby” is right around the corner, and has been retooled to add salmon and to return to a targeted length for striped bass. Each adult angler may enter only one striped bass in the money category. The adult angler who enters a striped bass closest to the announced “targeted length” will win first place and so on for 3 cash prizes. There will also be a 2nd chance striped bass raffle. Each striped bass entry must be within the announced slot for the 2nd chance raffle to be eligible to win a raffle prize. Each adult angler may enter one striped bass each day of the 3-day derby for the raffle. Once a fish is entered the angler will receive an entry ticket into the raffle drawing. In addition to striped bass, salmon will be reintroduced to the derby. Each adult angler may enter only one salmon in this category. The adult angler who enters a salmon of the greatest weight will win first place and so on for 3 cash prizes. The children’s derby will remain as in previous years. The “Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival” will be held on Friday, October 2nd, Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 4th this year. The winners in all of these categories will be announced on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 4 PM in front of Rio Vista City Hall. All participants must be present to win. The Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce may be able to offer additional prizes in the adult striped bass and salmon money categories in the derby. Additional prizes will depend on the number of donations received from sponsors and supporters. For more information go to www.bassfestival.com.
The sturgeon season closed on June 30, 2026 and will reopen on October 1, 2026. A sturgeon report will resume once the season reopens.
If you’re interested in fishing for kokanee on New Melones Lake call Captain Kyle Wise of HeadHunter Sportfishing. Capt. Kyle tells me that the kokanee bite on New Melones Lake has been excellent! Capt. Kyle, the day of this writing, was done by 10am with limits of kokanee for his 3 clients (see the attached photo). Capt. Kyle continued telling me that he’s been putting his customers on the kokanee trolling with his downriggers in 90 to 120 feet of water. He’s been trolling Apex lures behind 5.5 gold Sling Blades for kokanee to 16 inches. The water temperature has been averaging 81 degrees and the weathers been hot during the day.
If you’d like to fish for black bass at Lake Berryessa, then Guide Don Paganelli of Paganelli’s Bass Fishing Experience has a report for you. Don told me that the topwater bite has been slow lately because of the warm surface temperatures in the low 80’s. Don continued to say that he’s been putting his customers on a very good bite of black bass using drop shot rigs on the main body of the lake in 30 feet of water (see the attached photo).
Now for a report from San Francisco Bay and out the Golden Gate. Captain Craig Hansen of Argo Sportfishing has been mainly traveling with his clients out the Golden Gate targeting salmon. Capt. Craig continued to tell me that he’s been fishing the north bar area for a fish per rod to limits of salmon on his trips trolling anchovies. He did say that the salmon have been averaging 8 to 12 pounds to 20+ pound fish. Capt. Craig further said that if he limits on salmon early, he’s been navigating to the Muir Beach area for limits of rockfish (see the attached photos).
Meanwhile Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions has been targeting salmon and halibut out the Golden Gate and stripers in the bay. First up, Capt. Ron told me that he’s been putting his customers on limits to near limits of salmon at the channel buoys and at Duxbury Reef trolling anchovies. Capt. Ron added that he’s also been targeting halibut on the North Bar and in front of the Pillar Point Harbor off Half Moon Bay drifting live bait. Lastly, if his clients prefer to fish in San Francisco Bay, Capt. Ron has been getting limits of stripers at Angel Island and/or Red Rock as well (see the attached photos).
More news on the salmon front. The San Francisco Bay/Ocean salmon fishery is currently closed as of this writing, but reopens September 1st until October 31st or until a 20,000 Chinook salmon harvest guideline is met allowing 2 Chinook salmon of 20” minimum per angler daily. For more information on ocean salmon seasons please visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s ocean salmon web page to view current regulations and catch estimates for each management areas: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon.
If you would like to fish with any of these Captains or Guides, just do a search on the internet for their contact information.
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.
Until next month, wishing you all the best on the water….
