The water is chocolate milk. Honestly, if you’ve looked at the Sacramento side lately, it’s a mess of mud and logs. Most guys pull up to the dock, see that visibility is basically zero, and turn the truck around.
Big mistake.
While the "easy" bite is gone, the fish haven't left the river. They've just moved. Today’s delta fishing report today reveals a massive divide between the frustrated weekend warriors and the guys actually putting weight in the boat. If you’re fishing the same spots you hit in October, you’re going to get skunked. Period.
The Reality of the Sacramento River Mud Wall
Heavy releases from the Feather and American rivers have pushed a wall of debris into the main channel. It's sketchy out there. You’ve got entire trees floating just under the surface, and if you’re on the anchor, you better have a knife handy. Logs can snag your line and pull a bow under in seconds when the tide is ripping.
Most of the striped bass have fled the silt. They’ve tucked into the Port of Sacramento or found "cleaner" pockets in the back of sloughs.
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Water temperatures are hovering right around 54°F to 57°F. That’s the danger zone where fish get lethargic. They aren't going to chase a fast-moving crankbait across a flat right now. They want a reason to move.
What’s Actually Biting
- Sturgeon: This is the highlight. Suisun Bay is the place to be. Even with the grass being a total nightmare on every cast, the diamondbacks are active.
- Striped Bass: It’s a game of hide and seek. The West Bank was slow this morning, but the San Joaquin side near Antioch is holding schoolies.
- Largemouth: Total grind. If you aren't throwing something that vibrates, you're wasting time.
Delta Fishing Report Today: The San Joaquin Secret
While the Sacramento side is struggling with clarity, the San Joaquin is holding its own. Water temps near Rio Vista are stable at 54°F.
The tide turned outgoing this afternoon, and that’s when the bite turned on. If you’re sitting through the high tide, you’re just feeding the catfish. You need that movement.
I talked to a few locals near the Antioch Bridge who were drifting jumbo minnows and cut sardines. They managed 12 fish to the boat by noon. Nothing huge—most were schoolies around 16 to 20 inches—but in January, a limit is a win.
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The Gear That's Working (And What Isn't)
Forget the finesse stuff for a minute. When the water is this stained, the fish can’t see your 4-inch worm.
- Bladed Jigs: Think ChatterBaits in dark colors. Black and blue is king when visibility is under six inches.
- Spinnerbaits: Go heavy. A 3/4-ounce model with a big Colorado blade creates the thump they need to find the lure.
- Live Bait: If you can get your hands on some live bluegill or jumbo minnows, use them. Near Paradise Point, guys are scratching out limits by staying tight to the pumps.
Why the Sturgeon Bite is the Real Story
Listen, the White Sturgeon is currently a candidate for listing under the California Endangered Species Act. That means it’s catch and release only. No harvest.
Despite the rules, the action is incredible. One group out of the San Joaquin today landed eight sturgeon, with two of them pushing the 80-pound mark. They were soaking salmon roe and eel.
The grass is a nuisance, no doubt. You’ll be cleaning your lines every ten minutes. But if you want a fish that actually fights back in 50-degree water, the "diamondbacks" are your only real bet.
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Navigational Hazards to Watch For
I can't stress this enough: be careful.
The Sacramento Delta is in "full mud mode." Between the hyacinth drifts and the submerged timber, it’s a minefield.
"The water is so thick you could walk on it, and the debris is moving faster than you think." — Local Guide Observation.
How to Fish the Tides Right Now
In this system, the outgoing tide is your only real window. There is so much water coming down from the mountains that even "low tide" still has four or five feet of depth in many spots.
If you find a spot where 3-Mile Slough is dumping muddy water into a cleaner channel, fish the seam. Stripers love to sit right on that line and wait for disoriented baitfish to tumble through the murk.
Pro Tips for the Weekend
- Go West: The live bait drift bite near Pittsburg is far more consistent than the North Delta right now.
- Watch the Sonar: Don't just fish "good looking" spots. If you don't see marks on the screen, move. The schools are fast and small.
- Stay Warm: It sounds stupid until you're out there, but 55-degree water and 15 mph gusts will core-freeze you by 10:00 AM.
The delta fishing report today shows a fishery in transition. We’re waiting for that February warm-up, but for now, you have to work for every single strike. Don’t expect 30-fish days. Expect a grind, bring plenty of bait, and keep your eyes on the driftwood.
Actionable Next Steps
Check the tide charts for the Antioch area before you hook up the boat. Target the first three hours of the outgoing tide. If you're chasing bass, swap your translucent plastics for solid blacks or dark purples to deal with the low visibility. Focus your efforts on the San Joaquin side to avoid the worst of the Sacramento River debris field.