Freshwater Fishing

25.54-pound rainbow caught! (updated)

May 25, 2020

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UPDATE, May 25, 10:20 a.m.: As soon as #WON posted this story’s lead photo on Facebook, it was hit with a barrage of criticism, with some commenters claiming the area is illegal to fish and others resenting the “spot burn.”

This area is not easy to reach, and involves a trek through poison oak and a rope-aided drop down a steep slope. Our research indicates the catch was legal, but it’s not a spot that invites the casual angler.

Just a pound and a half off the California state record

BY CRAIG BENTLEY

THE 25.54-POUND rainbow, like many other trophy trout caught from the Diversion Pool, is the result of a plentiful food supply in the form of pond smelt that make it through the Oroville dam and very little fishing pressure.

Giordano pulled his truck next to my car, parked and then pulled a massive rainbow trout out of the ice chest for a few photos. I thought the fish to be well over 25 pounds. We then raced to Lakeside Market, where we weighed the massive ‘bow and got a certified scale sticker printed out at 25.54 pounds! The fish was just 2 pounds short of the state record!

Giordano caught the fish on a small swimbait, which imitates the Japanese pond smelt that these fish forage on throughout the system from Lake Almanor to the Thermalito Afterbay and Feather River below. Giordano uses a variety of techniques including, drifting, jigging, rip baits, topwater plugs and float fishing, all with artificial baits.

The Diversion pool is a unique trophy trout fishery, but like most trophy trout waters, the fishing is always fair, but the trophies are few and far between!

Oroville State Recreation Area is located in Butte County, near Oroville. For information call the Lake Oroville Visitors Center, telephone (530) 538-2219.