About Salsipuedes Creek, CA

Salsipuedes Creek is a 5-mile long river that is geographically situated in Santa Cruz County, California. It has an elevation of between 16 to 52 feet above sea level and flows from East Lake Avenue to Pajaro River in Watsonville. 

The name of the river came from the Spanish phrase “Sal si puedes”, which means “get out if you can.” Because of the translation of its name, locals created many stories. Some say that there was a quicksand in the area before. While others claim that it is because of the dense foliage before the early settlements came to the creek. 

Salsipuedes Creek is the primary channel for the main sub-watershed located in the area. Two water level monitoring stations continuously look after the river because flooding is prominent in the area. In fact, they even had to install levees on some parts of the creek to avoid flooding during heavy rain. These levee trails lining the creek are frequently flocked by cyclists and joggers. Plus, these are dog friendly too. 

All About Fishing in Salsipuedes Creek, CA

The freshwater supply of Salsipuedes Creek comes from Corralitos Creek. It has abundant fish species that anglers will surely enjoy. 

Salsipuedes Creek houses a wide variety of bass, such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, and white bass. It also has other fish species such as bluegill and rainbow trout. Coho salmon, steelhead trout, and tidewater goby can also be spotted in the river. However, these three species are already endangered in Santa Cruz county. Therefore, there might be rules that prohibit catching them.

Bass has a predatory behavior and can be caught by baitcasting using live baits. Smallmouth bass particularly loves zooplanktons, crayfish, and aquatic insects. On the other hand, largemouth bass prefers bigger live animals such as suckers, perch, frogs, and rodents. The diet of spotted bass is in between the smallmouth and largemouth bass’ preferences. Lastly, the white bass feed on small invertebrates and midge larvae.

If you are interested in catching bluegill instead, then the most effective way is to use live baits paired with small jigs, tiny spoons, and artificial flies. Waxworms and mealworms are proven baits in fishing for bluegill. 

The rainbow trout is a more challenging fish to catch. You can use lures like spinners, plugs, jigs, and spoons. On the other hand, you can also use baits that are specially formulated for trouts such as trout bait nuggets and mice tails. 

Fishing Seasonality

Bass can be caught all year round. However, spring and fall are the best seasons because they feed more actively during these months. These seasons take place from March to June and September to December.

Bass feed more actively in spring because it just came out of winter, where there is usually minimal food available. They also eat more during fall to prepare for the winter season.

On the other hand, spring is the best season to catch bluegill, which occurs from March to June. At the same time, the rainbow trout is also abundant during this time of the year. 

Fishing Seasonality

Bass can be caught all year round. However, spring and fall are the best seasons because they feed more actively during these months. These seasons take place from March to June and September to December.

Bass feed more actively in spring because it just came out of winter, where there is usually minimal food available. They also eat more during fall to prepare for the winter season.

On the other hand, spring is the best season to catch bluegill, which occurs from March to June. At the same time, the rainbow trout is also abundant during this time of the year. 

All About Fishing in Salsipuedes Creek, CA

The freshwater supply of Salsipuedes Creek comes from Corralitos Creek. It has abundant fish species that anglers will surely enjoy. 

Salsipuedes Creek houses a wide variety of bass, such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, and white bass. It also has other fish species such as bluegill and rainbow trout. Coho salmon, steelhead trout, and tidewater goby can also be spotted in the river. However, these three species are already endangered in Santa Cruz county. Therefore, there might be rules that prohibit catching them.

Bass has a predatory behavior and can be caught by baitcasting using live baits. Smallmouth bass particularly loves zooplanktons, crayfish, and aquatic insects. On the other hand, largemouth bass prefers bigger live animals such as suckers, perch, frogs, and rodents. The diet of spotted bass is in between the smallmouth and largemouth bass’ preferences. Lastly, the white bass feed on small invertebrates and midge larvae.

If you are interested in catching bluegill instead, then the most effective way is to use live baits paired with small jigs, tiny spoons, and artificial flies. Waxworms and mealworms are proven baits in fishing for bluegill. 

The rainbow trout is a more challenging fish to catch. You can use lures like spinners, plugs, jigs, and spoons. On the other hand, you can also use baits that are specially formulated for trouts such as trout bait nuggets and mice tails.