Gear & Tackle

Rivers & Streams · 2 Parts

Sacramento River Fishing Guide

California

The Sacramento River in California: wild trout water above Shasta Lake from Box Canyon Dam past Dunsmuir, and below the dams at Redding a river with rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Each part has its own page with its map, weather, best months and what to use.

River at a Glance

No agency season is confirmed on any part yet; each part's page lists its fish.

Season at a Glance

Also on the river, with no agency season found yet: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon and Smallmouth Bass. Each part's page lists where.

Parts of the Sacramento River

Map of the Sacramento River

The area every part covers; each part's page maps its own stretch. View Larger Map© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fishing VideosWatch Sacramento River Fishing Videos on YouTube

Licenses & Regulations

Most anglers need a California fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.

Buy a License from CDFW CDFW Fishing Regulations

Season Rules by Part

Rules: our short summary for each stretch, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; read the agency's current rules before you go.

Upper Sacramento RiverPart Page

  • Box Canyon Dam to the Scarlett Way bridge in Dunsmuir: open all year, artificial lures with barbless hooks only, no trout kept. CDFW 2026
  • Scarlett Way bridge to the county bridge at Sweetbriar: the Saturday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30, 5 trout a day; Oct. 1 to the Friday before Memorial Day, artificial lures only, 2 trout. CDFW 2026
  • Sweetbriar county bridge to Shasta Lake: open all year, artificial lures only, 2 trout a day. CDFW 2026

Lower Sacramento RiverPart Page

  • 650 feet below Keswick Dam to the Highway 44 bridge: closed to all fishing April 1 through July 31. CDFW 2026
  • Highway 44 bridge to the Deschutes Road bridge: open all year, barbless hooks only; trout and steelhead kept must be hatchery fish, 2 a day; 5 brown trout a day. CDFW 2026
  • No salmon fishing above the Deschutes Road bridge; Deschutes Road bridge to Woodson Bridge open Aug. 1 through Dec. 31, 2 a day. CDFW 2026

Shops by Part

Guides and Charters by Part

Upper Sacramento RiverPart Page

No guide within 25 miles of this part; these are the nearest, with their distance.

Lower Sacramento RiverPart Page