It appears more than 9,500 adult winter-run Chinook salmon returned to the Sacramento River to spawn this year. This is the largest number of returning adults based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) carcass counts1 in the last 15 years and follows similar returns of 8,128 in 2019 and 7,428 in 2020.
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What flies to use on the upper Sacramento River?
Caddis, mayflies and golden stoneflies call the river home in the spring and the fall, making for excellent dry fly fishing if your timing is right.
Where do you fish for upper sac?
One of the best places to fish the Upper Sac for stocked trout is near the town of Dunsmuir. For wild trout much of the best water is accessible via the many off-ramps on Interstate 5 between Shasta Lake and Dunsmuir (see map).
What kind of fish are in the upper Sacramento River?
Species Present: Rainbow and Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass (lower end of river just above the reservoir).
How do you fly fish in the Sacramento River?

Are there brown trout in the Sacramento River?
Upper Sacramento River It’s true that rainbow trout are by far the most common species here, but there are enough brown trout in the Upper Sacramento to keep things interesting.
Where can I fish in Dunsmuir?
- Sponsored Result.
- Trailer Lane Campground. 16.7 mi.
- All “Fishing” Results in Dunsmuir, CA. Showing 1-6 of 6.
- Mossbrae Falls – Access Restricted. 2.1 mi.
- Hedge Creek Falls. 1.7 mi.
- Ted Fay Fly Shop. 0.2 mi.
- McCloud Outdoors & Gear Exchange. 7.7 mi.
- Jack Trout Fly Fishing Guide. 6.6 mi.
Does Sacramento River have fish?
Sacramento River stripers Top anchor fishing baits while striper fishing on the Sacramento River are pile worms, live minnows and cut baits like sardines or anchovies.
Can you fish the Shasta River?
Question: I want to try fishing in the Sacramento River this year for Chinook salmon and most of the area will require barbless hooks. Can barbed hooks with the barbs crimped down be legally considered barbless? (Eric V.) Answer: Yes.
Which bait is best for fishing in the Sacramento River?
The season is usually open from JulyโDecember, which gives you plenty of time to get out and start fishing. If you’re on the lookout for big show-stoppers, the best time to come to the river is from OctoberโDecember.
Can you use barbed hooks for salmon in the Sacramento River?
Steelhead spawn in practically every tributary of the upper Sacramento River, and appear to do so in numbers proportionate to a given tributary’s runoff. That is, large streams such as Mill, Deer, and Battle creeks have the largest runs (Hallock 1961, 1989).
What fishing season is it Sacramento River?
sacramento river fall King Salmon Fishing Guide service’s The season for guided king salmon fishing trips on the Sacramento River begins July 16th and continues until the end of December when the Sacramento River closes to salmon fishing for the year.
Are they catching salmon on the Sacramento River right now?
Bridgeport Reservoir once held the California state record for a brown trout. Something like 27 pounds! Bridgeport can get lost in the shadows of Crowley Lake, but those that frequent this fishery know that at times this is by far and away the best still water trout fishery in the Eastern Sierra.
Are salmon running in the Sacramento River now?
The controlling depth in the river route is about 10 feet. Above Sacramento, the controlling depth is about 6 feet to Colusa. The sounding datum is mean lower low water at low-river stage. Numerous uncharted piles, snags, pumps, and pipes, some submerged, may exist along the edges of the river.
Where are the biggest trout in California?
About Mossbrae Falls Mossbrae Falls is near Redding. The most popular species caught here is Rainbow trout. 1 catch is logged on Fishbrain. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations.
How deep is the Sacramento River?
Siskiyou’s waters are filled with several species of fish, and is best-known for trout fishing. If a calm day on the lake calls to you, try fishing at Lake Siskiyou in the South Siskiyou area. The lake has plenty of amenities on-site including boat rentals, ramps, marinas and bait.
Can you fish at Mossbrae Falls?
Medicine Lake is a lake near Altamont. The most popular species caught here are Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and Lake trout.
Can you fish in Siskiyou Lake?
“By following our guidelines for fish caught in Sacramento River and northern Delta, people can safely eat fish low in chemical contaminants and enjoy the well-known health benefits of fish consumption.”
What kind of fish are in Medicine Lake California?
Insider tip: On free fishing days, you can fish anywhere in California without a license. The Sacramento River hosts steelhead, trout, sturgeon, striper, American shad, and King salmon (though fly fishers have been known to hook wild rainbow trout or steelhead, too).
Is it safe to eat fish from the Sacramento River?
Sacramento River mainstem supports a run of anadromous green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Anadromous white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) are also present in this part of the mainstem and they are a very important recreational fish.
Can you fish anywhere on the Sacramento River?
Only barbless hooks may be used.
Is there sturgeon in the Sacramento River?
Generally speaking, there’s a 2-fish limit on hatchery-raised steelhead, while all wild steelhead must be returned to the water immediately.
Can I use barbed hooks in the American River?
The Trinity is legendary for its salmon and steelhead fishing by drift boat or walk-in riverside spots, as well as for trophy brown trout. Chinook salmon are the most sought-after gamefish in the Trinity River system. Spring-run salmon begin to enter the river in May and provide trophy fishing through November.
How many steelhead can you keep in California?
Orr Lake continues to support a robust warmwater fish community dominated by species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, pumpkinseed and black crappie.
Is the Trinity River good for fishing?
Comments: This lake offers spectacular scenery and and is popular. Fishing is fair to good for various sizes of trout, particularly in May and June, but there are also the less desirable Golden Shiners.