Troutline

Lower Sacramento River

California·Northern California·40.18° N, 122.23° W

The Lower Sacramento below Keswick Dam is a big-water tailwater -- wide, powerful, and loaded with wild rainbows that average 14-18 inches. Trout densities near Redding have been estimated at 3,000-4,000 fish per mile, and the river runs cold and clear year-round thanks to deep releases from Shasta Lake. Typical flows range from 4,000 to 15,000 CFS, which means this is primarily a drift boat fishery -- you can wade a handful of gravel bars during lower flows, but the boat is how most fish get caught.

The insect life here is prolific. Caddisflies dominate -- the green rock worm and October Caddis are the signature hatches -- but the river also produces strong emergences of March Browns, PMDs, and BWOs. The Mothersday Caddis hatch in April and May can be exceptional, blanketing the surface with size 14-16 bugs and pulling big rainbows into feeding lanes within easy casting range of a drift boat. Nymphing is productive year-round, and the fall October Caddis hatch from September through November brings dry fly fishing that you can plan a trip around. Even winter afternoons produce midges and BWOs on the flats near Anderson.

The fishable tailwater extends roughly 40 miles from Keswick Dam downstream through Redding and Anderson to the Red Bluff area. Redding has full services including two excellent fly shops and multiple guide operations. The Sacramento Valley is windy -- morning sessions tend to fish better than afternoons. Dam releases can change flows on short notice, so check Bureau of Reclamation schedules. ESA-listed winter-run and spring-run Chinook must always be released, and hatchery steelhead regulations apply in season. If you want one California river you can fish 12 months a year with a reasonable expectation of a 16-inch wild rainbow, this is it.

Species

SpeciesAbundanceBest SeasonSizeNotes
Rainbow Trout (wild)Very HighYear-round12-24"Primary target; 3,000-4,000 per mile in upper reaches.
Chinook Salmon (fall run)SeasonalSep-Dec8-30+ lbsMajor spawning migration; special regulations apply.
SteelheadModerateOct-Mar4-12+ lbsWild steelhead present; hatchery fish also stocked.
American ShadSeasonalMay-Jul2-5 lbsStrong runs; popular fly rod target.
Ideal wading flow3,500–9,000 CFS
Blow-out>20,000 CFS
Ideal water temp50–56°F

Spring (Mar-May) for March Browns, PMDs, and Mothersday Caddis. Fall (Sep-Nov) for the legendary October Caddis hatch. Year-round fishing thanks to stable tailwater conditions.

Sections

5 sections on this river

Keswick Dam to Redding

Wade & FloatBrown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Cold, clear tailwater immediately below Keswick Dam with the highest trout densities on the river — estimated 3,000-4,000 fish per mile. Riffles, runs, pocket water, and deeper pools. Some wadeable sections near Keswick and at Caldwell Park. The most popular section — expect drift boat company on weekends.

Best for: Year-round nymphing (green rock worm is bread-and-butter). Spring hatches (March Brown, PMD, Mothersday Caddis). Good dry fly water in riffles. Drift boat is the dominant method.

Redding to Anderson

FloatRainbow Trout

River widens below Redding with more gravel bars and a good mix of riffles and deeper runs. Passes through suburban Redding and rural stretches with side channels and islands. Sacramento River Trail provides some bank access. Less boat pressure than above Redding.

Best for: Wild rainbow trout on dry flies in riffles. Less pressured than the Keswick section. Year-round nymphing. Drift boat trips with more room to spread out.

Anderson to Balls Ferry

FloatRainbow Trout

Increasingly rural with wider river, long glassy runs, gravel bars, and cottonwood-lined banks. Water temperatures begin to warm slightly in summer. Less fished than the Redding sections.

Best for: Rainbow trout year-round. October Caddis in fall. Less pressured alternative to Redding. Good nymphing water.

Balls Ferry to Bend Bridge

FloatRainbow Trout

Remote, rural stretches with a canyon-like feel. Long runs and deep pools through agricultural land and oak woodlands. Less accessible from shore. USGS gauge station at Bend Bridge.

Best for: Larger rainbow trout potential. Good streamer water in deep pools. Lighter pressure. Nymphing year-round.

Bend Bridge to Red Bluff

FloatSteelhead · Salmon · Rainbow Trout

Lower gradient, warmer water in summer through agricultural surroundings. The Red Bluff Diversion Dam (gates open most of the year) marks the downstream limit of productive trout water. Better in cooler months. Salmon and steelhead staging area in fall.

Best for: Cooler months (Oct-Apr) for trout. October Caddis. Fall salmon and steelhead staging. Streamers for larger fish.

Regulations

Current fishing rules and restrictions

Open year-round. Barbless hooks with artificial lures only. 2 trout per day, 0 over 16 inches. ESA-listed winter-run and spring-run Chinook must always be released.

  • Open year-round
  • Barbless hooks with artificial lures or flies only
  • 2 trout per day, 0 may be over 16 inches
  • ESA-listed winter-run and spring-run Chinook must always be released
  • Hatchery steelhead (adipose fin-clipped) may be retained; wild steelhead must be released
  • Steelhead Report Card required

Emergency regulations for salmon are updated annually and sometimes mid-season. Dam releases can change flows with little notice -- check Bureau of Reclamation schedules.

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

Access & Logistics

Getting there, fly shops, and lodging

Getting There

Redding, CA

Direct access from I-5 in Redding. 2.5 hrs from Sacramento. 3.5 hrs from San Francisco.

Fly Shops

Camping & Lodging

Full services in Redding. Anderson River Park. Numerous lodging options along the I-5 corridor.

Drift boat fishing is the dominant method due to the river's size and flow. Wading is limited to a handful of gravel bars. The Sacramento Valley is notoriously windy -- morning sessions preferred.

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.

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