Delta Reservoir
Published: Updated:
Delta Reservoir Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Delta Reservoir. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
Filter by
All Species
All Seasons
Sort by
Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Omnia Community MemberBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Largemouth BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonSummerStructureReeds- Omnia Community MemberBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Large)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRock Pile 
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSummerStructureLedgesI launch from the state park at sunrise in late summer and fish the western shoreline, the buoy line outside of the beach, the weed flat to the north of the beach, the ledge outside the pin buoy line extended north of the beach, and the ledge at the edge of the river channel headed toward the backsets. While there were numerous school of baitfish gathered on weed edges and over rocks/boulders and lots of fish breaking the surface in 6'-10' of water, there was little action on top-water or swimbait presentations. Even the typical pickerel seemed shy, which is rare on Delta. A solid northern was caught on a live bait rig, and a couple small perch were enticed by small swimbaits. The only thing that produced smallies with any consistency was the dropshot. Cast on the deep side of ledges just beyond weed lines and fished slowly back to the boat, several different plastics worked. The best colors were lighter in nature, with ZMan's The Deal leading the way in getting bites.
Species
Yellow PerchTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSummerStructureSubmerged VegetationIn early September, with water temperatures moving into the lower 70s, and a light wind (2-3 mph) from the east, perch of mixed sizes were beginning to school in deeper weeds (10-14'). When the Zman Micro Finesse plastics were fished just into and along weed edges with a pop/drop/pause cadence, perch bit on the pop and pause quite frequently. There were a variety of colors and shapes that produced fish, but the Tiny TicklerZ was by far the most consistent. As the water temperatures continues to drop these baits will likely produce in even greater numbers.
Species
Northern PikeTechniqueLive Bait RigsSeasonSummerStructureLedgesOn a late August trip (water temp approx. 74), with moderate wind (5-7 from the NE), I fished ledges just outside of weed beds along the area just north of the state park beach and on the southern side of the river channel. Weeds terminated in roughly 12' of water, and fishing depths from 12-17' produced chasers on Keitech plastics. Live bait spinner rigs, tipped with half a nightcrawler induced bites. The fish weren't trophies, but they were beautiful fish, and provided a great fight.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueCarolina RigsSeasonSummerStructureBouldersNeed to find unique features within the expansive shoals on Oneida. The Carolina Rig allows you to get that constant feedback of the structure and identify bottom transitions and find the honey holes. Vary up leader length, bait selection, and retrieve speed to dial it in. In the summer that extra kick of the speed craw seemed to get more bites and a consistent long sweeping pull along the bottom for retrieve helped. Fish were spitting up little perch, feeding up as the nights and water are cooling off in the end of summer and seemed to take their focus. For baits, retrieves, and leader locating fish the speed craw on 24" was the starting place and a stick bait and dead drag on 40" was my stopping point. A super fluke or SF jr. is a solid bait for when you want that baitfish profile and subtle movement too.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRock PileThe key was finding chunk rock or big boulders or rock to sand transition. It was like clock work. Find one of those areas along or surrounding a secondary point and drift the ned rig or hop the tube or pull the swimbait along the bottom, moving slowly, and once you felt the transition or pulled free of the boulder just wait for it.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueFinesse JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureReeds
Largemouth were holding very tight to newly green reeds in maybe a foot of stained water. My derby partner was also catching them in the same areas with a Texas rigged creature bait of a similar size and color. It felt like they were hitting it on the fall. You would lift up and there would be weight and your line would swim away.
