California
Sacramento River fishing guide
California's Sacramento River holds Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Green Sturgeon, Spotted Bass, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, American Shad, and Coho Salmon across its length. Anglers can launch boats at seven facilities including the Red Bluff Recreation Area Boat Ramp and Tisdale Beach Launching Facility, or fish from public bank access points scattered along the river. The water draws both drift boaters and bank anglers year-round.
Current conditions
As of September 1, 2026, Sacramento River is running around 8,100 cfs. The nearest streamgage reports flow but not water temperature, so no temp is shown. Conditions look good for fishing right now.
- State
- California
- Public access
- Yes
- Access points
- 7
- Species recorded
- 12
These conditions are read from our data about once a day and may not reflect the current moment. For real-time conditions, open Guidepole Fish.
Public access & launches
Public bank access at several points along the Sacramento River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.
- Drift Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Posse Grounds Boat RampBoat launch
- Camp Discovery Group Camp (Red Bluff Recreation Area)Boat launch
- Keswick Launch RampBoat launch
- SYCAMORE GROVE (RED BLUFF) CAMPGROUNDBoat launch
- Red Bluff Recreation Area Boat RampBoat launch
- Tisdale Boach Launching FacilityBoat launch
Regulations
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Closed to all fishing from Apr. 1 through Jul. 31.
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- All year. Only barbless hooks may be used.
- Bag
- 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* 4 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* in possession
- All species
- Season
- Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
- Bag
- 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* 4 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* in possession. Closed to the take of salmon.
- Alphabetical List of Trout Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- All year. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
- Bag
- 0 trout
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Closed to all fishing all year.
- Alphabetical List of Trout Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Sat. preceding Memorial Day through Sep. 30.
- Bag
- 5 trout
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Closed to all fishing all year.
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Jan. 1 through Oct. 15. Only barbless hooks may be used.
- Bag
- 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead*. 4 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* in possession.
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Jan. 1 through Jul. 31.
- Bag
- 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* 4 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead* in possession
- Alphabetical List of Hatchery Trout, Hatchery Steelhead, and Salmon Waters with Special Fishing Regulations
- Season
- Jan. 1 through Jul. 15.
- Bag
- 1 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead*
As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.
What’s in it
Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.
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Sacramento River fishing — FAQ
Can you fish the Sacramento River?
Yes — the Sacramento River in California has public access (public bank access at several points). Open the guide to see the public access, launches, and current regulations.
Do you need a license to fish the Sacramento River?
Yes — California requires a valid fishing license for most fishing. The current official state regulations are linked on this page.
What fish are in the Sacramento River?
Species recorded in the Sacramento River include Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Green Sturgeon, Spotted Bass, Rainbow Trout. The full list is on this page.
Where can you access the Sacramento River?
Access points include Drift Boat Launch, Posse Grounds Boat Ramp, Camp Discovery Group Camp (Red Bluff Recreation Area). See every launch and access site on this page.
Get detailed fishing conditions for the Sacramento River on your phone
The full access map, live conditions, and an agent you can just ask — on your iPhone.
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