• An artist's rendering of a salmon.Chinook salmon image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  Fishing for salmon is one of the most popular types of sport fishing in Sacramento. If you are thinking of visiting this Northern California capital city for a fishing excursion, there are several tips that can help you increase your chances of pulling in a giant catch. Some of the species of salmon that you may encounter in the area include pink, steelhead, sockeye and chinook---also known as king---salmon.
  
  

When to Fish

• Salmon are migratory fish, which travel upstream from the coasts to spawn. Because Sacramento is approximately 100 miles from the coastline, it is important to plan your fishing trip for a time when the salmon will be upstream in bountiful supply. According to Trails.com, the high season for salmon action in Sacramento starts around mid-July or the beginning of August and peaks during October and November.
  
  

Where to Fish

• The city of Sacramento lies predominately on the eastern shore of the Sacramento River, known colloquially as the Sac. The 384-mile-long river should be your primary location when fishing for salmon in the area. According to Bay Area Fishing, the mouths of small tributaries or streams that branch off of bigger rivers, like the Sacramento, are prime locations for salmon fishing. Try finding spots like this in and around the city. Ideally, you will want to fish in water that is between three and eight feet deep.
  
  

Equipment

• When fishing on the Sacramento River, you will want to use durable equipment, as the current can be strong and salmon can be heavy. For a fishing rod, use a variety that is at least 6 feet long. You will also want it to be flexible, to cope with the weight of your catch. Spin-cast and bait-cast reels are both good options. While the former has a spinning metal top, and allows you to cast further distances, the latter has a button release and is better for aiming your casts.
  
  

Drift Fishing

• One of the best techniques for salmon fishing on Californian rivers is drift fishing.
  The technique requires that you cast your lure or bait upstream and then allow it to drift naturally with the current back downstream and past your location. The natural movement helps trick fish into thinking your bait is a live prey item, caught in the current. A variation on the technique, which also works well for catching salmon, is to attach a bobber above your bait, and then cast it out. This will allow you to more easily track your bait, as the bobber floats downstream on top of the water's surface.