Gear & Tackle

Rivers & StreamsFlies and Lures Only per CDFW

Upper Sacramento River Fishing Guide

California

The Sacramento River above Shasta Lake, from Box Canyon Dam past Dunsmuir to the lake, with rainbow and brown trout and, at the lower end just above the reservoir, smallmouth bass.

Part of the Sacramento River.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to the Upper Sacramento River for rainbow trout, brown trout and smallmouth bass. No agency season found for the species here.

There are 8 shops nearby (6 fly, 2 bait and tackle), including Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir. Also nearby: Shasta Lake.

Season at a Glance

No agency season found for these fish here.

Season Rules & Licenses

  • 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

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

Most anglers need a California fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.

Buy a License from CDFW CDFW Fishing Regulations

License Sellers Nearby

Ted Fay Fly Shop

5732 Dunsmuir Ave, Dunsmuir (530) 235-2969

Dunsmuir Hardware

5836 Dunsmuir Ave, Dunsmuir (530) 235-4539

Cannon's Liquor

1004 S Mount Shasta Blvd, Mount Shasta (530) 926-2239

Source: CDFW's license agent list, Jan 2025. Call ahead.

Parts of the Sacramento River

Upper Sacramento River Species

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

No agency season found.

View Species
Brown Trout

Brown Trout

No agency season found.

View Species
Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

the lower end of the river just above Shasta Lake

No agency season found.

View Species

Species per USFS. Smallmouth Bass: the lower end of the river just above Shasta Lake, per USFS.

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

What to Use

Fishing In
Fish

Rainbow Trout

No agency season found

Fly

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

Rod, Reel and Line

  • RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
  • ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
  • LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 5 wt.Check Price
  • LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price

Tie On in November

  • Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
  • Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
  • Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Buy Local

Shops near Upper Sacramento River:

Map of Upper Sacramento River

Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fishing VideosWatch Upper Sacramento River Fishing Videos on YouTube

Planning for a Month

Prime in November

No agency season found for the species here.

Daylight

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Moon

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Typical Weather

56°F high, 34°F low

About 6.9 in of precipitation for the month.

Typical Flow

409 cfs

Most years 221 cfs to 1,357 cfs.

Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 5 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 11342000, 1944 to 2026.

Also Worth Packing

Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.

Pack It For: Oct to May

Check Price Maker's Page

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.

Pack It For: Year-round

Check Price Maker's Page

Apparel

Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket

A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.

Pack It For: Nov to Apr

Check Price Maker's Page

Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Shops Near Upper Sacramento River

Farther Out

Guides and Charters Near Upper Sacramento River

Farther Out

Nearby Water

Photo: DimiTalen, CC0

Lakes & Reservoirs · California

Shasta Lake

About 35 mi

California's largest reservoir, where spotted bass are the most common bass and trout move to deeper, cooler water by late spring and early summer.

Spotted Bass · Rainbow Trout · Kokanee Salmon

View Water

Photo: Blake, Tupper Ansel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain

Rivers & Streams · California

Klamath River

A California river with Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and American shad.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon

View Water