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Lower American River
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 12/17/24
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
Current River Conditions: 2120 CFS (12/17/24 @ 8:30 Am)
Fishing - Fair: No new reports this week but from past experience you should find Steelhead downstream from wherever you see Salmon spawning. If wade fishing I would recommend Gristmill, Riverbend Park, lower Suinrise and Upper Sunrise. Check out the side channels too. Received a report from guide Andy Guibord that a friend of his caught a large chrome hen winter run Steelhead at Gristmill access the other day. I was down there yesterday afternoon with a student and we saw several Salmon working their way up the riffle. If Salmon are there spawning then one can assume there are Steelhead in the area feeding on the eggs. Don't forget the section of the river upstream from the powerlines at Ancil Hoffman Park is closed to the first of the year . See map below:
There is plenty of great water downstream from Ancel Hoffman that hold Half-Pounders and juvenile Steelhead. Try fishing the channels downstream from the walk bridge at William B Pond/Riverbend Park bridge. This time of the year, egg patterns do real well.
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
If you are not sure how to spot a spawning redd please view this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVIol18qVM8
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 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
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Ever want to float the middle fork of the upper American River casting streamers for
trophy Browns?
LODGING NEAR
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.