Fishing Season: Year Round

Sacramento River - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

69

Joe Garza's Tip of the Week

Don't be afraid to set up a rod with a streamer pattern. Summertime is here and fish are very active and will chase Sculpin (#6/8 Olive or Black) and Leech patterns (#8/10 Orange and Olive). We've had some epic days streamer fishing during the summer months.

Directions open in app

Map of Sacramento River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

J.A.G. Fly Fishing

5-Day Outlook as of 8/20/26

Flows are back on the drop and sitting at 10,500 CFS. However, fishing has still been good. Mornings have been fishing good with the cooler temps with BWO's and Midges fishing well in the morning to afternoon. The afternoons have been slower due to heat, with the evening bite picking back up with caddis.

Techniques & Tips as of 8/20/26

Indicator Nymphing, Streamer, Dry Fly, Spey/Switch

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow Trout

  • Fish Icon

    Steelhead

  • Fish Icon

    Shad

  • Fish Icon

    Striper

Joe Garza's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Higa’s S.O.S. black, olive 16,18
TH Duracell Jig tan 12, 14
TH Duracell Jig Black, Red 18
Klinkhammer Olive 16
Low Rider CDC & Elk Caddis N/A 12, 14
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail N/A 16, 18
Pat's Rubber Legs Brown, Coffee, Black 6-8
Birds Nest Tan, Brown, Olive 14-16
Weiss' BP Dark Barbless Dark Olive 18
Fox Poopah Cinnamon 12, 14

Higa’s S.O.S.

You'll appreciate the strike-inducing power of this versatile nymph pattern.

3.99

Item #3R8Y

Buy Now

Joe Garza's Recommended Gear

Description: About Sacramento River

Located 2.5 hours from Sacramento, and 4 hours from San Francisco, the Lower Sacramento River is a year-round tailwater fishery that flows from Keswick Dam to the San Joaquin Delta. A temperature control device at Keswick dam allows operators to selectively withdraw water from different depths of the reservoir, enabling them to control the temperature of the water released downstream. This gives the Lower Sacramento River cold constant flows year-round. This provides an amazing ecosystem for an abundance of Caddis, Stoneflies, Baetis, PMD’s and Chironomid to thrive. As a result of the abundance of food, our wild rainbow trout and steelhead grow big and healthy. It is common to have 20+ fish days here. The average size fish here run 16” to 18”, with a mixture of 20” to 25” fish being caught consistently. We have 54 miles of river between Redding and Red Bluff that we do several different drift boat floats on. Below Red Bluff we have opportunities to target Shad and Stripers, May through August.

Nearest Airport:

Redding Regional Airport

Hatches:

Baetis, Caddis, Chironomids, PMD's, Eggs - micro spawn Stoneflies, Little Yellow Stones, March Browns, Alvin.

Best Time to Fish:

7am to 10am or 6pm to 9pm

Best Stretch:

Posse Grounds

Best Access:

Posse Grounds