Russian River fishing?

I grew up fishing the small rivers of Louisiana in the Florida Parishes, north of La, but am now in Napa part time.  Napa River is pretty muddy and i've had no luck kayak fishing there.  I read about some canoe trips on the Russian River, and wondered if anyone fished there?  I would probably launch upriver of the memorial beach area, as that looks like where all the outfitters start.  Any lure suggestions?  Is there a water level posted online that i could check to ensure enough water to float?  Would consider launching at Geyserville or where Hwy 128 crosses a little downstream.  Also, is there public water access at these bridges?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Hmmm, I think I'd rather fish the Napa then the Russian, but it all depends on what you're after.

In the Napa you're probably better off trolling or casting noisy lures for stripers, or soaking shrimp baits for stripers and/or sturgeon. Fishing live mudsuckers or bullheads is also a fun way to target stripers.

If you're after smallies and the occasional LMB then the Russian is better. Someone else will need to chime in on locations and tactics, 'cause I've never fished it!

where/what time of year are you fishing the Napa River for Stripers?  I've launched behind the college and fished my way upstream, and fished down in the marshes across from Cuttings Wharf.  No luck whatsoever, though I've never really targeted them.  Rattletraps?

Mung, what are you hoping to catch? I live about a 1/4 mile from the 128 bridge in Geyserville. However is rather fish the Napa river or even the Petaluma river abs target either stripers or sturgeon.

There are no fish in the Russian River. Go away 

Water flows http://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/rivcond.html

Good launches are steelhead beach, johnsons beach, and monte rio beach. Other launches are cloverdale river park and memorial beach in healdsburg. There is also shore access along the 101 north of
Cloverdale.

Go early to avoid the crowds of recreational river floaters. Use light gear since most of the fish are small sized.

ThreemoneyJ where do you do your fishing? I'm hoping to be getting a yak for father's day.

Mung, what are you hoping to catch? I live about a 1/4 mile from the 128 bridge in Geyserville. However is rather fish the Napa river or even the Petaluma river abs target either stripers or sturgeon.

Anything.  Sounds like smallmouth bass and the occasional largemouth.  I like to throw artificials.  RR just looks nicer than Napa River, but Napa is in my backyard, so if I could figure it out I'd fish there all the time.  Not all that excited about bottom fishing though.

Trolling for stripers is good in the Napa. Otherwise it's bottom fishing. If you head over here to the Russian let me know and I'll try to hook up with you.

ThreemoneyJ where do you do your fishing? I'm hoping to be getting a yak for father's day.

My favorite float on that river is steelhead beach to johnsons beach. Steelhead to Monte Rio is an all day float, and Johnsons to monte rio is pretty short.

I've caught exactly zero largemouth in the Russian, but tons of smallies. Also squawfish and bluegill. Oh and shad right now an steelhead in the winter.

Oh, and the occasional lost sturgeon too... (Not me in the picture. Circa 1998 and hanging in kings sporting goods in guerneville)

I've heard from a few friends there's some good schools of stripers in the river as well. I'm new to this yak world but love catching.

There are no fish in the Russian River. Go away 

stopped to take a break a month ago at a turnout a mile and a half from the mouth and saw 3 huge steelhead swimming by...
my buddy threw in a sardine(all we had) and pulled in a 12lb+- catfish

There are no fish in the Russian River. Go away 

stopped to take a break a month ago at a turnout a mile and a half from the mouth and saw 3 huge steelhead swimming by...
my buddy threw in a sardine(all we had) and pulled in a 12lb+- catfish

Be careful. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks allowed between April 1 and October 31.

Sounds like a fun day, though!

There are no fish in the Russian River. Go away 

stopped to take a break a month ago at a turnout a mile and a half from the mouth and saw 3 huge steelhead swimming by...
my buddy threw in a sardine(all we had) and pulled in a 12lb+- catfish

Be careful. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks allowed between April 1 and October 31.

Sounds like a fun day, though!

That includes Scents too..however you can still put out crawdad traps w/bait...as long as it doesn't involve line/hook/bait it`s good

Plus a mile and a half from the mouth with put you in the Marine Protected Area. Be careful   

where/what time of year are you fishing the Napa River for Stripers?  I've launched behind the college and fished my way upstream, and fished down in the marshes across from Cuttings Wharf.  No luck whatsoever, though I've never really targeted them.  Rattletraps?

Troll Rattletraps, plastic swimbaits, Hair Raisers, Rebels,  etc. Anything that mimics a baitfish really. Work the channel edges and stay out of the middle of the river for the most part. If you have a fishfinder, paddle until you see marks and either troll or cast your offering of choice. Fishing is usally good in the summer but really gets going in the fall. Check the sloughs too, especially in the lower river. Just mind the current in the sloughs - some are pretty narrow and it can rip through there on an a good outgoing.