Oroville Area Fishing and Outdoor Report
Oroville Area Fishing and Outdoor Report 01-28-2014
By Craig Bentley, Golden State Guide Service
Lake Oroville
The lake elevation is 702'. The water temperature is 48 degrees and the water is clear.
Bidwell Canyon Launch ramp is the only functioning ramp open. The Winter pattern continues. Bass are suspended from 20 to 40 feet and are hitting tubes, drop-shotted worms, Senkos, finesse baits, minnow imitations and reaction baits. Swimbaits are also producing a few bass to 4 pounds.
A few Coho Salmon to four pounds were being caught by bass anglers fishing in coves with reaction bait, plastics and with minnows under a slip bobber.Trollers are catching a few cohos to 3 pounds trolling in front of the dam and under the green bridge.
Call ahead to Ca. State Parks and Rec.,before planning your boating excursion to check the current status of launching facilities.
Diversion Pool
No angler interest in fishing here lately, with most trout anglers now fishing for steelhead in the river below, or the Afterbay. A chance of catching a good size Rainbow trout or Coho Salmon from the upper end of the pool, below the dam, always exists. Hopeful anglers cast and retrieve minnow imitations, or fish bait for the trout or salmon, with low light periods yielding the best action to persistent anglers. Fishing action fluctuates with the releases from the dam here and is usually better with some current flowing, so with reduced flows, fishing has been poor.
Thermalito Forebay
Populations of trout and salmon, bass, catfish and other species of rough-fish are present in the Forebay, however there hasn't been a trout plant since DFW policy changed the waters where fish may be planted.
Some transient trout and salmon that have moved down from the diversion pool to the South Forebay are occasionally caught on bait by patient anglers enjoying the solitude of this little used facility off of Grand Ave. Very few if any, anglers fishing the Forebay now so, reports are scarce.
Thermalito Afterbay
Pool elevation has been fluctuating between 132' and 134'. Fishing has picked up as the water level came up to near full pool. The water is cold at 48 degrees and clear. Fishing for planted steelhead and coho has been fair, with a couple of fish to 6 pounds being hooked, but not caught by one or two, of a dozen or more patient anglers fishing four to five hours each day at the Wilbur Road access. Nightcrawlers, minnows, Gulp eggs, and soft plastics work here. Reports of trout or coho salmon being caught by boaters trolling or still fishing bait along the west wall in the south section of the Afterbay. Few boaters have been trying for black bass. Black and blue or purple skirted jigs, dark plastic worms fished near structure or the hwy 162 bridge have been catching a few bass in the Afterbay.
Feather River
Flows are now 950 cfs to the Low flow at Oroville, with 0 cfs from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet, for 950 cfs total below the Outlet. The water is clear with a green tint with about 8 to 10 feet of visibility and the temperatures is 46 to 48 degrees. Fishing for Steelhead in the stretch of river from State Hwy 70 to Table Mtn. Bicycle Bridge has slowed with the lack of rain and angler pressure. Wading anglers are using fly and spin gear to catch steelhead on flies, lures or bait, with Caddis, Mayfly and Salmon fry patterns working for the Fly-fisher, while roe, worms or small spoons or minnow imitating plugs will work for the spin fisher. Knowledgeable anglers willing to put in a few hours fishing can expect to catch a steelhead or two for their efforts.
The river below Oroville and throughout the Oroville Wildlife Area has been slow for steelhead. Drift boaters and wading anglers alike are using the same techniques as the upstream anglers, with indicator nymphing or swinging fry or attractor patterns, the most productive way to Fly-fish the Low Flow.
Hunting in the Oroville Wildlife Area Upland Game and Waterfowl seasons ended Jan 26 th.
Turkey season is next and opens in the Spring.
Lake Oroville, the Diversion pool and the Thermalito Forebay are managed by the Ca. Dept. of Parks & recreation. The Thermalito Afterbay and the Oroville Wildlife Area are managed by the Ca. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Please refer to agency websites for regulations on area use.

wwwdfw.ca.gov