Fishing Season: Year Round

Feather River - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

Joe Garza's Tip of the Week

This time of year with big storms moving through Northen California, I always recommend checking the weather multiple times before you go. Always have an emergency plan, flow rates can change at any given time.

Directions open in app

Map of Feather River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

J.A.G. Fly Fishing

5-Day Outlook as of 12/24/25

With plenty of room for storage in Lake Oroville, the Lower Feather River is going to be the best bet for the next couple of weeks. The larger fresh steelheaad have moved in and are foraging on Baetis (#16/18), Worms (#12/10), and Alvins (#12/14). Look on the soft edges of tailouts, or for riffles with a defined drop offs.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/24/25

Indicator Nymphing, Tight Line/High Stick Nymphing, Single Hand Swing, Spey/Switch, Dry Fly.

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Steelhead

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    Striper

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    Salmon

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    Shad

Joe Garza's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Shaky Worm Red 12
Hickey's Tungsten Bead Auto Emerger N/A 18
Higa's S.O.S. Olive, Black 18
Meg A Egg Sucking Leech Pink, Orange 8
Fox Poopah Cinnamon 12, 14
E.C. Caddis Tan, Olive 12, 14
Vitso's Psycho Spawn Chartreuse, Pink 14
Prince Nymph N/A 14, 16
Hale Bopp Leech Olive, Black 8
Sac Fry N/A 12, 14

Shaky Worm

This trout fishing worm pattern will make you a believer.

2.49

Item #0K7T

Buy Now

Joe Garza's Recommended Gear

Description: About Feather River

This tailwater fishery flows out of Oroville Dam, the tallest earthen dam in the country. The river is best known for its Steelhead and Salmon fishing. Holding both hatchery and wild Steelhead/Salmon, there are also opportunities for Striped Bass or Shad during certain times of the year. Just below the dam, water is diverted to the Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay for water storage, hydro-electric power, and flood control for the local area. This causes the Lower Feather River to be broken into two different sections, known as the low-flow area and the high-flow area. The low flow starts at the Feather River hatchery and ends approximately 5.5 miles downstream at the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. The high flow starts at the Afterbay outlet and ends approximately 8.5 miles downstream at the Gridley boat launch. With 14 miles of river to fish, there are many options for both drift boat trips and walk and wade trips. The Lower Feather River offers a variety of methods to search for hard-fighting steelhead throughout the year. Those methods include indicator nymphing, tight line/high stick nymphing, single hand swing, and spey/switch. The best times to fish for Steelhead on the Lower Feather River is during the Fall run (September through December), and the Spring run (February through May).

Nearest Airport:

Sacramento International Airport

Hatches:

Baetis, Chironomids, Worms, Alvin, Caddis, PMD's, Little Yellow Stones.

Best Time to Fish:

9am to 3pm

Best Stretch:

Low Flow

Best Access:

Weir Hole