Best Time to Fish in Sacramento

California · Friday, September 11

🌅

6:45 AM

Sunrise

🌇

7:22 PM

Sunset

🌙

0%

Moon

The next 7 days in Sacramento

DayDawn windowDusk windowMoon
Today6:15 AM7:45 AM5:52 PM7:52 PM🌑 New Moon · 0%
Sat, Sep 126:16 AM7:46 AM5:51 PM7:51 PM🌑 New Moon · 1%
Sun, Sep 136:17 AM7:47 AM5:49 PM7:49 PM🌒 Waxing Crescent · 5%
Mon, Sep 146:18 AM7:48 AM5:47 PM7:47 PM🌒 Waxing Crescent · 10%
Tue, Sep 156:18 AM7:48 AM5:46 PM7:46 PM🌒 Waxing Crescent · 17%
Wed, Sep 166:19 AM7:49 AM5:44 PM7:44 PM🌒 Waxing Crescent · 26%
Thu, Sep 176:20 AM7:50 AM5:43 PM7:43 PM🌓 First Quarter · 36%

Dawn and dusk windows are computed from sunrise/sunset for Sacramento; times shown in local time. Best-window ranges are guidance, not guarantees — weather and tides matter too.

Today's best windows in Sacramento

🌅 Dawn — 6:15 AM to 7:45 AM

The first light window is the most reliable bite of the day for most species — fish move shallow to feed before the sun gets high.

🌇 Dusk — 5:52 PM to 7:52 PM

The last couple hours of light are the second prime window, especially as water cools and bait moves.

🌙 Moon — New Moon (0% lit)

Solunar feeding activity peaks around the new and full moons. Overlap a solunar period with dawn or dusk and you have the best window of the day.

Sunrise, sunset, and moon phase are computed for Sacramento (California); times shown in local time. Best-window ranges are guidance, not guarantees — weather and tides matter too.

Today's tides in Sacramento

TideTimeHeight
Low3:03 AM0.4 ft
High7:20 AM2.9 ft
Low3:34 PM0.1 ft
High8:16 PM2.8 ft

Predictions from NOAA station 9416174 (Sacramento), about 1 mi from Sacramento. Times in local time, heights relative to MLLW.

Get the precise solunar + tide forecast for your spot

Dawn and dusk are the reliable daily answer, but the exact solunar major/minor periods and the tides for the specific water you're fishing shift day to day. The MyFishingBuds AI Trip Planner pulls live NOAA, USGS, and solunar data to score the best times for your exact Sacramento spot.

See the AI Trip Planner →

Best season to fish Sacramento

The Delta largemouth fishery is year-round, best in spring (March through May) around the spawn and again in fall. Striped bass move through the Delta and up the rivers on a spring run and return in the fall. Sturgeon fishing is a winter and early-spring pursuit, keyed to rain and higher, dirtier water. The rivers add a fall king salmon run and winter steelhead — though California salmon seasons are set annually and have been heavily restricted in recent years, so always check the current regulations. The American shad run lights up the rivers in May and June for fast, light-tackle action.

Largemouth BassStriped BassWhite SturgeonKing Salmon (Chinook)SteelheadAmerican Shad

Best time to fish in Sacramento — FAQ

What is the best time of day to fish in Sacramento?

The most reliable windows are the low-light hours around sunrise and sunset. Today in Sacramento, sunrise is about 6:45 AM and sunset about 7:22 PM, so the dawn and dusk windows either side of those are your best bets — especially on an overcast day or a moving tide.

Does the moon affect fishing in Sacramento?

Yes. The strongest solunar feeding periods and biggest tides come around the new and full moons. The moon is currently a New Moon (0% illuminated). For the precise solunar major/minor times and tides for your exact spot, use the MyFishingBuds AI Trip Planner.

What is the best season to fish in Sacramento?

The Delta largemouth fishery is year-round, best in spring (March through May) around the spawn and again in fall. Striped bass move through the Delta and up the rivers on a spring run and return in the fall. Sturgeon fishing is a winter and early-spring pursuit, keyed to rain and higher, dirtier water. The rivers add a fall king salmon run and winter steelhead — though California salmon seasons are set annually and have been heavily restricted in recent years, so always check the current regulations. The American shad run lights up the rivers in May and June for fast, light-tackle action.

Do I need a fishing license to fish in Sacramento?

Yes — most adult anglers need a California fishing license. See the California fishing license guide for 2026 resident and non-resident prices, who's exempt, and where to buy.

What tide is best for fishing in Sacramento?

Moving water usually beats slack tide — fish the hour or so around a tide change, when current is strongest and sweeps bait past structure. See today's tide times for Sacramento above to plan around the next high or low.

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