McCloud River

California·Northern California·41.10° N, 122.18° W

The McCloud is where it all started. In the late 1800s, rainbow trout eggs from this river were shipped to hatcheries around the world -- New Zealand, Argentina, Europe -- seeding the global distribution of the species. Above Middle Falls, the original McCloud River redband trout, a genetically distinct native subspecies, still survives. Below McCloud Dam, the river runs through one of the most beautiful trout canyons in California: boulders, deep pools, riffles, and runs shaded by old-growth conifers, all of it holding wild rainbows that average 8-14 inches with browns running bigger in the lower stretches.

The best water is the lower canyon below the dam, which is designated Wild Trout Water -- catch-and-release only with barbless artificials. Three miles of this canyon are protected by the Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve, which limits access to 10 rods per day and requires sign-in. When the salmonfly and Golden Stonefly hatches come off in May-June, the dry fly fishing in the canyon is as good as anything in Northern California. October Caddis in fall provides another strong dry fly window. Between hatches, nymphing the pocket water and deeper runs with stonefly and caddis patterns produces steady action.

Access is somewhat limited, which keeps pressure low. The three miles from Ash Camp to Ah-Di-Na Campground are rugged but fishable public water -- plan on slippery boulders, a wading staff, and felt soles. The road to Ash Camp requires high clearance. McCloud is the nearest town, about 90 minutes from Redding. The Bollibokka Club controls significant stretches of the lower river as private water. If you can get on the Nature Conservancy Preserve on a weekday in June, with the stoneflies hatching and the canyon to yourself, it's hard to imagine a better day of fishing anywhere in the state.

Species

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size	Notes
Rainbow Trout (wild)	Abundant	May-Oct	8-16"	Dominant species below dam; strong, colorful fish.
McCloud Redband Trout	Abundant (upper)	May-Oct	6-12"	Native subspecies above Middle Falls; genetically unique. Must be released.
Brown Trout	Secondary	Sep-Nov	12-22"	Present in lower canyon; some large specimens near Shasta Lake.

Ideal wading flow300–600 CFS

Blow-out>1,500 CFS

Ideal water temp48–58°F

May-June for salmonfly and golden stonefly hatches. October-November for October Caddis and fall colors. July-September for PMDs, caddis, and summer dry fly.

Sections

4 sections on this river

Upper McCloud — Springs to Reservoir

WadeRedband · Rainbow Trout

The full upper river from springs near Fowler Camp (off Highway 89) through the three McCloud Falls, Bigelow Meadow, and downstream to McCloud Reservoir. Middle Falls is the natural migration barrier — above it is the last refuge of the native McCloud River redband trout, genetically isolated and protected from hybridization. Below the falls, the river opens through meadow sections and canyon water accessed via the unpaved McCloud River Loop Road. Lower stretch flows through private Hearst property — check access status.

Best for: Native redband trout above Middle Falls. Rainbow trout on dry flies and nymphs below the falls. Pocket water between the falls at Fowler Camp. Meadow fishing at Bigelow.

Ash Camp to Ah-Di-Na

WadeSalmon · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Shad

Three miles of premier public wild trout water below McCloud Dam — the stretch anglers call the Cathedral Water or Holy Water. Boulder-strewn canyon with deep emerald pools, pocket water, and riffles shaded by dense evergreen forest. Wild Trout Stream designation with catch-and-release, barbless artificial lures only. Access via rough dirt road to Ash Camp (high-clearance vehicle recommended).

Best for: Wild rainbow trout and brown trout. Salmonfly and golden stonefly hatches (May-Jun). October Caddis in fall. The core public fly fishing destination.

Nature Conservancy Preserve

WadeRainbow Trout

Three miles of pristine wild trout water below Ah-Di-Na Campground managed by The Nature Conservancy. Limited to 10 anglers per day — five reservable in advance through TNC, five first-come-first-served at the preserve entrance. Open late April through November 15. Catch-and-release only.

Best for: Technical dry fly and sight nymphing. Wild rainbow trout in unimpacted habitat. The lowest-pressure fishing on the McCloud.

Bollibokka to Shasta Lake

WadeBrown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Seven private miles of the McCloud controlled by the historic Bollibokka Club and McCloud River Club. Canyon steepens with larger pools through rugged mountain terrain. Pay-to-fish guided access available through The Fly Shop in Redding. Large brown trout migrate up from Shasta Lake in fall.

Best for: Trophy brown trout on streamers and dry fly. Fall pre-spawn browns from Shasta Lake. Guided private water access.

Regulations

Current fishing rules and restrictions

Open last Saturday in April through November 15. Lower McCloud below dam is Wild Trout water with artificial barbless hooks and catch-and-release. Nature Conservancy Preserve limited to 10 rods per day.

Upper McCloud (above reservoir): General regulations, 5-fish daily limit
Lower McCloud (below dam, Wild Trout section): Artificial lures with barbless hooks only, catch and release
Redband trout: Must be released; protected native subspecies
Nature Conservancy Preserve: Limited to 10 rods per day; sign-in required; catch and release; barbless flies only

Nature Conservancy Preserve is open late April through November 15 with limited daily rod count. Bollibokka Club controls significant stretches of the lower river (private, pay-to-fish through The Fly Shop).

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

Access & Logistics

Getting there, fly shops, and lodging

Getting There

McCloud, CA

1.5 hrs from Redding, 4 hrs from Sacramento, 5 hrs from San Francisco

Fly Shops

The Fly Shop (Redding)
Ted Fay Fly Shop (Dunsmuir)

Lodges

McCloud River Outpost (McCloud)

Camping & Lodging

Ah-Di-Na Campground (primitive, walk-in). Fowler Camp (USFS, upper river). McCloud River Mercantile Hotel. Mt. Shasta Resort.

High-clearance vehicle recommended for Ash Camp road. Nature Conservancy Preserve requires sign-in and limits anglers. The canyon wading is rugged -- slippery boulders require felt soles and a wading staff.

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.