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Lower American River
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 11/21/25
Scroll down to links for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations
CLICK HERE TO SEE LOWER AMERICAN RIVER ACCESS MAP
CLICK HERE TO SEE PDF OF SPECIAL REGS BOOKLET
Current River Conditions 960 CFS (11/21/25 @ 8:30 am)
Fishing - Fair to Good:
I"ve been getting reports that in addition to all of the steelhead smolts recently planted, fly fishermen have been doing well on bright half-pounder fish. Stormy conditions will make for some great fishing on the AR, so you should take advanting of this before flows get ramped up.
The river from the cable crossing just below Hazel Ave to the powerline crossing at Ancil Hoffman Park is now closed. To see the actual regulation copied from the CDFW Fishing Regulations booklet click here https://www.californiaflyfishingreports.com/ca-regs-page-1 The egg bite is definitely on so look for salmon redds and fish about ten feet downstream from them. Make sure you don't disturb the spawning salmon. Even though their is not much spawning going on downstream from the Ancil Hoffman Park power line crossing, there will still be a lot of eggs in the system and the fish throughout the river will be eating them. Do your best to not disturb spawning salmon. If you don't know what a "redd" is have a look at the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVIol18qVM8
Important News:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the final nail in the coffin was hammered in a week ago when the Central Valley Flood Control Board, of which the California TU Director Brian Johnson is a member, voted unanimously to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to remove all of the trees and understory along the river between Sac State and Mayhew (near Bradshaw) for the purpose of levee improvements. That's 4 miles of fish and wildlife habit will be completely lost. If you are as devastated as I am about this project it's important to let Brian Johnson know how you feel about his vote. Here is his email: bjohnson@tu.org
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.
Stripers: Clouser Minnows #1 Hook in white & turquoise/olive & turquoise/gray & turquoise and yellow & turquoise, white & gray.
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
LEARN IN ONE DAY WHAT IT WILL TAKE YOU YEARS
TO LEARN ON YOUR OWN
Local Water Orientation Clinics
If you are new to the area or haved fished the American but never had the chance to learn how to fish our local water, consider taking one of our Orientation Clinics www.californiaflyfishingreports.com/clinic-american-river.
CALL or Email me: (916)719-6253 or vinci.greg@gmail.com
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Lower American River
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Up to the minute Flows
Lower American
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Fishing Regulations
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HATCH CHART - LOWER AMERICAN RIVER
ANADROMOUS CHART - LOWER AMERICAN RIVER
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.
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.