LOWER AMERICAN RIVER
EASTERN SIERRA
Truckee River
Little Truckee River
West Carson River
East Carson River
West Walker River
East Walker River
Upper Owens River
Lower Owens River
Hot Creek
Crowley Lake
Pyramid Lake
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA
Upper Sacramento River
McCloud River
Hat Creek
Fall River
Pit River
Almanor Lake
Davis Lake
Baum Lake
CENTRAL VALLEY
STILLWATERS
Napa River
VALLEY TAIL WATERS
Lower Sacramento River
Feather River
Lower Yuba River
Lower American River
Lower Mokelumne River
Putah Creek
NORTH COAST
Trinity River
Klamath River
Russian River
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 4/3/20 @ 7:35 pm
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Current River Conditions: 1690 CFS.
(scroll down for real time flows)
Fishing Conditions - Good: Plenty of planted juvenile Steelhead are still in the river and should stay there until the water temperatures get too warm. Additionally, CDFW planted 20,000 Salmon Smolts the other day. We have reports of Blue Black Rainbows being caught in the Sailor Bar area too. All of the access points on the river are worth a try though we fished Gristmill this morning and had no luck, though it might be worth a try just before the sun goes down. March and April can provide some great fishing if you are willing to put in the time.
Caddis larva/pupa , egg patterns Alevan patterns, and Rubber Legs are still working. Elk Hair Caddis in the evenings.
We specialize on Striper, Steelhead and Shad fishing and have guides on the water every day so if you would like to book one call us at (800)410-1222 or click here
Generally Recommended Flies
Click here to go to our Fly Catalog
Swinging - Steelhead: Andy at the shop recommends swinging, Wooly Buggers, Caddis Poopa/olive, Bird's Nest/olive, Slump Busters #10, Zonkers #10, Silver Hilton and Intruders. Other successful
On Top-Half Pounders/Smolts: Cut Wing PMD #18, Hackle Stacker Baetis #18 or #20, Hackle Stacker PMD #18. Trico Spinner #20, Drowned Trico Spinner #20
Indicator Nymphing: Bird's Nests #12,#14, Egg Patterns #12, Caddis Poopah #12, #14, Micro Mayfly/olive #18, Rubber Legs/black #8-#14, Prince Nymph #12, #14, SJ Worm/tan #12,
Vinci's "Depth Charge Bird's Nest/olive, natural or black.
Stripers: Clouser Minnows #1 white & turquoise/olive & turquoise/gray & turquoise
See Hatch Chart Below!
See Run Chart Below!
About the Lower American River
The lower American River begins near the town of Folsom, CA (yeah, the same Folsom Johnny Cash sang about) where it flows out of Lake Natoma (Nimbus Dam) and travels 24 miles to its confluence with the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento.
The riparian flood plane, on both sides of the river, is designated as the American River Parkway, which is one of the largest urban parks in the state. It’s a refuge from the stress of the adjacent two million person urban area. With only a short hop over a levee you find yourself in a pristine wilderness that has changed little in 150 years.
The American River hosts several runs of anadromous fish; half pounder Steelhead, winter Steelhead, (smaller and sexually immature fish), Striped Bass, and American Shad. Half pounder Steelhead appear in September and are generally spread out in the river. This is not a large run, but provide some fun fishing for these 18 to 20 inch fish.
The winter Steelhead begin to arrive in December (while the upper half of the river is closed to protect spawning Salmon) and build in numbers until February when they begin to spawn. Though a good population spawn naturally in the river’s gravel, most fish returning to the river are hatchery fish.
In April the Stripers begin to show in anticipation to their spawning in May. They feed on Steelhead. Shad and Salmon smolts that are abundant in the river at that time.
In late April the American Shad begin to arrive and build in numbers into May. Shad provide great sport for most fishermen through June though some of them actually hang around through the summer. Some Shad diehards fish dry flies for them in July.