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Lower American River
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For Information about
L American River
Fly Fishing Orientation Clinics
CLICK HERE
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 1/16/25

Scroll down to links for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations

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CLICK HERE TO SEE LOWER AMERICAN RIVER ACCESS MAP

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Current River Conditions: 1830 CFS (1/16/25 @ 7:30 Pm)
Fishing - Fair to Good: Capt. Joe Vasquez-(916)591-7082 reported today that the guides have been doing pretty well this week with 3-6 fish landed  on average.  Fish are still bright.Checked out upper Sunrise this morning and did not see any fish.   I received another reliable report that the Sailor Bar area was slow too. Haven't had a positive report from wade fishermen this week. ​​​​​​​​​​​

 

If you are new to the area or live in the area but never had the chance to learn how to fish your local water, consider taking one of our orientation clinics https://www.californiaflyfishingreports.com/clinic-american-river or hireing a local guide  https://www.californiaflyfishingreports.com/guide-listing

to show you the ropes 

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If you are not sure how to spot a spawning redd please view this video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVIol18qVM8

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Generally Recommended Flies

Swinging - Winter Steelhead: Andy Guibord recommends swinging, Wooly Buggers, Caddis Poopa/olive, Bird's Nest/olive, Slump Busters #10, Zonkers #10, Silver Hilton and Intruders.  If using a two fly set up, make sure one of the flies is an egg pattern. 

 

On Top-Half Pounders & Smolts:  Cut Wing PMD #18, Hackle Stacker Baetis #18 or #20, Hackle Stacker PMD #18. PMD Parachute #16, Trico Spinner #20, Drowned Trico Spinner #20, Adams Parachute #14,16,18, Elk hair Caddis #14, 16.  #18 Olive Parachute (for BWOs)

 

Indicator Nymphing & Swinging-Adult Steelhead & Half-Pounders/Smolts: Bird's Nests #12,#14, Egg Patterns #12, Caddis Poopah #12, #14, Micro Mayfly/olive #18, Rubber Legs/black #8-#14, Prince Nymph #12, #14, SJ Worm/tan #12, Wooly Buggers #10/black, olive, rusty. 

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Stripers: Clouser Minnows #1 white & turquoise/olive & turquoise/gray & turquoise and yellow & turquoise, white & gray. 

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Shad: Bloody Maria's, Firecrackers, American River Pinky, Green Weeney, Andy's Lipstick, Jeff's Jefe Early Riser (new) and more.

 
See Anadromous Run Chart at the bottom of the page
Ever want to float the middle fork of the upper American River casting streamers for
trophy Browns? 
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HATCH CHART - LOWER AMERICAN RIVER

ANADROMOUS CHART - LOWER AMERICAN RIVER

Hatch Chart
Anchor 1
About the Lower American River

 

The lower American River begins near the town of Folsom, CA (yeah, the same Folsom Johnny Cash sang about) where it flows out of Lake Natoma (Nimbus Dam) and travels 24 miles to its confluence with the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento. 

 

The riparian flood plane, on both sides of the river, is designated as the American River Parkway, which is one of the largest urban parks in the state.  It’s a refuge from the stress of the adjacent two million person urban area.  With only a short hop over a levee you find yourself in a pristine wilderness that has changed little in 150 years.

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The American River hosts several runs of anadromous fish; half pounder Steelhead, winter Steelhead, (smaller and sexually immature fish), Striped Bass, and American Shad.  Half pounder Steelhead appear in September and are generally spread out in the river.  This is not a large run, but provide some fun fishing for these 18 to 20 inch fish. 

 

The winter Steelhead begin to arrive in December (while the upper half of the river is closed to protect spawning Salmon) and build in numbers until February when they begin to spawn.  Though a good population spawn naturally in the river’s gravel, most fish returning to the river are hatchery fish. 

 

In April the Stripers begin to show in anticipation to their spawning in May.  They feed on Steelhead. Shad and Salmon smolts that are abundant in the river at that time. 

 

In late April the American Shad begin to arrive and build in numbers into May.    Shad provide great sport for most fishermen through June though some of them actually hang around through the summer.  Some Shad diehards fish dry flies for them in July.

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