Hat Creek

California·Northern California·40.85° N, 121.50° W

Hat Creek's Wild Trout section is 3.2 miles of spring creek that will make you question everything you thought you knew about trout fishing. The water flows gin-clear over volcanic rock, the currents are slow enough that the fish -- rainbows averaging 10-14 inches with some to 20 -- have all the time they need to inspect and reject your fly. California designated this stretch below Powerhouse #2 as its first wild trout water back in 1967, and the fish have only gotten harder to fool since. When the PMDs start coming off in late May and the Green Drakes follow in June, the flat water sections produce some of the most technical dry fly fishing in the West.

The Wild Trout section has three distinct characters: shallow, easily waded riffles at the top, glass-smooth flats in the middle that demand 12-15 foot leaders and 6X-7X tippet, and a lower reach with more gradient and structure that's somewhat more forgiving. Browns make up roughly 20% of the population but account for the biggest fish, particularly in fall when they move up to spawn. The riffle water below Rising River offers a more accessible experience if the flats are humbling you, and the upper meadow sections above Old Station fish well for stocked trout under general regulations.

Weekends from May through June can be crowded -- the Wild Trout section is well known and road-accessible from Highway 299. Fish weekdays if you can. Burney is the nearest town, about 50 minutes from Redding. Wind kills the fishing on the flat sections, so calm mornings and evenings are your windows. Beyond the PMDs and Green Drakes, look for Mahogany Duns and BWOs in October-November, Trico spinner falls in midsummer, and evening caddis hatches from July through September.

Species

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size	Notes
Rainbow Trout	Abundant	Apr-Nov	10-18"	Dominant in Wild Trout section (~80%). Some fish to 20+ inches.
Brown Trout	Secondary	Sep-Nov	12-22"	Less numerous but often larger (~20% of population). Fall spawners.

Ideal wading flow200–350 CFS

Blow-out>500 CFS

Ideal water temp50–58°F

May-June for peak PMD, Green Drake, and salmonfly hatches. October-November for Mahogany Duns, BWOs, and active fall browns. July-August for Trico spinner falls and evening caddis.

Sections

4 sections on this river

Wild Trout Section

WadeRainbow Trout

California's first wild trout designation (1967). The iconic 3.2 miles from Powerhouse #2 down to the Lake Britton fish barrier. Begins with the famous long riffle below PH2 — one of the most productive and popular stretches in California. Transitions to glass-smooth flats requiring stealth and 6X-7X tippet, then higher-gradient pocket water in the lower reach. Weed-rich, extremely clear water with PhD-level trout.

Best for: Technical dry fly fishing during PMD and Green Drake hatches. Sight nymphing on the flats. Evening caddis. Trico spinner falls in summer. The premier spring creek experience in California.

Carbon Flat to Powerhouse 2

WadeBrown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Transition water between the Rising River confluence and the Wild Trout section. Carbon Bridge area provides access. Springs keep water temperature stable. Less pressured than the Wild Trout section downstream.

Best for: Rainbow and brown trout on nymphs and dry-dropper. Mixed wild and stocked fish. Less crowded alternative to the Wild Trout water.

Old Station to Cassel

WadeBrown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Hat Creek continues through meadows and canyon below Old Station. PG&E diverts some flow through a canal to Powerhouse #1. The creek is rejuvenated by Rising River — a massive spring tributary on private land — which restores cold, clear flow. Includes Baum Lake (a shallow, weedy lake that holds large trout) and the PH1 forebay.

Best for: Rainbow and brown trout. Mixed wild and stocked fish. Baum Lake stillwater fishing for large trout. Rising River spring influx keeps water cool.

Upper Hat Creek — Lassen to Old Station

WadeRainbow Trout

Small meadow creek from Lassen Volcanic National Park headwaters downstream through Old Station. Undercut banks, riffles, and pools through forest and meadow. Park entrance fees apply within LVNP. Services at Hat Creek Resort and Old Station.

Best for: Planted and wild rainbow trout. Attractor dry flies and small nymphs. Beginner-friendly wading. Pleasant meadow fishing.

Regulations

Current fishing rules and restrictions

Open year-round. Wild Trout Section is catch-and-release only with artificial barbless hooks. Upper Hat Creek has general statewide regulations.

Wild Trout Section (PH2 to Fish Barrier): Catch and release only, artificial lures with barbless hooks, no bait
Upper Hat Creek: General statewide regulations, 5-fish daily limit
Open year-round

The Wild Trout section can be very crowded on weekends May-June. Weekday fishing is highly recommended.

Source: California DFW Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations. Regulations change annually — verify before fishing.

Access & Logistics

Getting there, fly shops, and lodging

Getting There

Burney, CA

50 min from Redding, 3.5 hrs from Sacramento, 4.5 hrs from San Francisco

Fly Shops

The Fly Shop (Redding)
Confluence Outfitters (Redding)

Camping & Lodging

Hat Creek Campground (USFS). Cave Campground. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Clearwater Lodge (Cassel). Motels in Burney.

Long leaders (12-15 ft) and light tippets (6X-7X) are standard on the flats. Calm wind conditions essential for the glassy flat sections.

Fishing data compiled from state wildlife agency regulations, USGS water data, NOAA, and regional fly fishing resources. Regulations change annually — always verify current rules with your state fish & wildlife agency before fishing.