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Rivers & Streams

Lower Sacramento River Fishing Guide

California

A big tailwater below Keswick Dam at Redding with year-round drift boat fishing for wild rainbows.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lower Sacramento River for rainbow trout, steelhead and chinook salmon. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, rainbow trout, steelhead and chinook salmon are in season, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start. There are 8 shops within 60 miles (5 fly, 3 bait and tackle); the closest is The Fly Shop in Redding, 1 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Shasta Lake is 14 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Lower Sacramento River Species

Rainbow Trout

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

Steelhead

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
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J
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S
O
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Best: Oct to Apr

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

13 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead, Rainbow Trout · Indicator rig.

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Parachute Adams #12-20

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Blue-Winged Olive #16-22

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Rainbow Trout · Overcast days.

    Shop This Fly

  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • San Juan Worm #10-14

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout · After rain.

    Shop This Fly

  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Steelhead, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Rainbow Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lower Sacramento River

Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

Check Price

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.

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Fly Rods

Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod

A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.

Check Price

Fly Lines

RIO Gold Fly Line

A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.

Check Price

Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line

A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.

Check Price

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near Lower Sacramento River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · California · 14 mi

Shasta Lake

California's largest reservoir with spotted bass in the arms and trout and kokanee in the deep, cool water.

Spotted Bass · Rainbow Trout · Kokanee Salmon

Rivers & Streams · California · 79 mi

Klamath River

Runs through the northwestern mountains. Summer steelhead and fall salmon runs.

Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon