FISHING THE RUSSIAN RIVER

Each of our four homes has direct access to fishing on the Russian River. You can fish from the bank, standing in the river with waders, or explore secluded fishing holes on kayaks. A pair of kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are available at each home, as well as two fishing poles and some basic tackle. Our Northwoods Lodge and the Old River Lodge also have docks that you can fish from.

Fish found in the Russian River include: Large and Small Mouth Bass, Striped Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Shad, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout. Summertime fishing brings catfish, smallmouth bass, shad, blue gill and carp. The winter months bring great opportunity for steelhead fishing.

STEELHEAD FISHING:

Winter is the time to fish for the famous steelhead of the Russian River. Don't miss the Wild Steelhead Festival at the beginning of February in the Healdsburg Plaza. Steelhead begin spawning in November, with the larger fish coming through in mid January. Steelhead are rainbow trout that migrate to the ocean for their adult phase. In the winter, they travel back up the river of their birth to spawn. Unlike Pacific salmon, they do not die after spawning. Rainbow trout are landlocked freshwater fish and are smaller than steelhead. To identify steelhead look for a blunt head, distinct dark spots on dorsal fin, a square shaped tailfin, and a reddish stripe along sides and gill cover.

RULES FOR FISHING STEELHEAD:

There are a few fishing rules to remember. First, you need a California fishing license plus a steelhead report card. Always use barbless hooks and no bait is to be used from Nov.1, through April 1. All wild steelhead caught must be released. They are identified by having an intact adipose fin. (This is the fin located closest to the tail on the fish's back.) Hatchery steelhead may be kept. They are identified by a missing adipose fin. Check the California Department of Fish and Game Regulations Guide. Also see the CA Dept of Fish & Game Website.

METHODS FOR CATCHING STEELHEAD:

Many fishing methods take steelhead, but drift-fishing is the most popular. It involves casting upstream and letting the lure sink to the bottom, where it drifts downstream with the current. When the water is clear, any sight of casting motion near the bank can spook the fish. Try taking your first casts 15-20 feet short of the shoreline. Get up early and be on the water before first light. The first few casts should not be long casts across the river. This could scare off the ones closest to the bank. After the cast, the bait must hit the bottom and drift downstream as if no line is attached. This creates a natural action that will fool the fish.

STANDARD BAITS AND LURES FOR STEELHEAD FISHING:

For steelhead drift-fishing, standard baits and lures include clusters of fresh salmon or steelead roe, live ghost shrimp, brightly colored steelhead "bobbers" and tufts of fluorescent nylon yarn. Casting wobbling spoons, spinner and artificial flies also produces steelhead strikes, as does drifting a leadhead jig suspended beneath a bobber. Use 6-10 pound test line.

FISHING SUPPLIES:

Two fishing poles (rod, reel, tackle) are provided at each of our homes. Fishing licenses, rod, reels, bait and tackle are also available at:

Rite Aid, 525 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. (707) 431-1119.

Dry Creek Store, 3495 Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg.(707) 433-4171. This is a great place to stop on your way out to Lake Sonoma. They have all the fishing supplies for bass fishing at the lake, as well as a deli and a bar.

Walmart, 6650 Hembree Rd. Windsor (707) 836-7200. Only 15 minutes south off Highway 101.

OTHER FISHING OPPORTUNITIES:

If you wish to further explore the river, there are a number of favored fishing spots. One is at Wohler Bridge between Forestville and Healdsburg, just off River Road. The other is Steelhead Beach in Forestville off River Road. Both spots provide river access at multiple points and are mostly quiet and un-traveled. Others are Lucky Bend in Guerneville, about a mile west of the Guerneville Bridge, and the area just east of the Guerneville Bridge.

Links to More Russian River Fishing Info.:
The Fish Sniffer - Map of Russian River Fishing Spots
Insider's Guide to the Russian Ri
Russian River Travel Fishing Guide
Russian River Outdoors - Fishing Guide

Riverfront Park, 7821 Eastside Rd., Healdsburg. About 5 miles from town, this park had 2 ponds with largemouth bass. There is shore fishing and non-motorized boats allowed, but no swimming. Picnic and volleyball area nestled under an old redwood grove. $5 day use fee.

Pacific Coast Shoreline and Deep-Sea Fishing:

Fish found in the Sonoma Coast ocean waters include: Salmon, Halibut, Rock Cod, Ling Code, Albacore Tuna, plus Dungeness Crab. Many fish for rock and ling Cod, as well as cabezone and sculpins, in the surf from the beaches where the coast is rocky. Other charter a fishing boat out of Bodega Bay for an exciting day of sport fishing. Children six and up are generally welcome and the crew will skin, gut, and bag your fish.

Hagemann Ranch Trout Farm:
Still haven't caught any fish? Another option is fishing at a rainbow trout farm. For over 25 years Hagemann Ranch, a sheep and cattle ranch located in the hills between the towns of Bodega and Bodega Bay off Highway One, has offered trout fishing in their stocked pond to the public. All equipment is provided and prices vary with the size of trout caught. This is a great way to introduce children to fishing! No fishing licenses are required.

HEALDSBURG AREA:

Healdsburg Info & Maps:
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Bureau - 800-648-9922 (CA only) or 707-433-6935
and Map of Downtown Healdsburg

Spring:
The signs of spring arrive early with tender blades of new grass appearing shortly after the new year. Spring can be beautiful and balmy. By May, the river has usually become suitable for kayaking, canoeing, and other activities.

Summer:
Healdsburg's Mediterranean climate is mild year round. It is dry (semi-arid) in the summer, with summer temperatures ranging between 70 and 95 degrees, usually cooling to the 50's overnight.
Year 'round it is smog-free and mosquitoes are scarce. Summer is the high season for water sports, with swimming, boating, and lots of ways to enjoy aquatic fun!

Fall:
In the fall, our weather is typically warm, clear, sunny and summer-like. Swimming and boating are usually possible until November.

Winter:
The average rainfall is forty inches with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees in the overnight to 60 degrees during the day, December through February. We are 30 miles from the Pacific Coast, and the relatively warm Humboldt current keeps us temperate and free of snowy conditions. Native steelhead and salmon swim upstream to spawn during the winter months and provide exciting fishing opportunities.

LINK: The Fish Sniffer - Map of Russian River Fishing Spots