Fishing Location - Sacramento River (Shasta County) by Redding
Shasta County
Car Accessible
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The Sacramento River below Shasta Lake is a large river that typically flows several thousand feet per second. Fishing opportunities exist year-round from Shasta Lake downstream over 160 miles to the confluence with the San Joaquin River near Sherman Island. The river flows through a developed city area with some shoreline access. Accessible by drift or power boats, bank, or wading. High flows during Summer irrigation season create wading hazards. Bait & tackle, store, propane, resort and telephone. RV sites with hookups are readily available in the Redding city area. Excellent resident Rainbow Trout population available year round. Fishing success often depends on stream flows. Runs of Steelhead and Chinook Salmon in the Fall and Winter months. The river also contains runs of anadromous fish including Chinook Salmon, Steelhead (sea-run Rainbow Trout), Striped Bass, American Shad, Sturgeon, and resident Trout and warm water species where water temperatures and habitat is suitable. Fall-run Chinook (King) Salmon generally enter the lower river in the late Summer and early Fall, reaching the upper river spawning areas and tributaries in October through November. Spring-run Chinook Salmon enter the river in the Spring and are found in the river and some tributaries during the Summer and Fall. Steelhead enter the lower river in the Fall and are generally found in the tributaries such as the American and Feather rivers, and Sacramento River above near Redding from late-November through March. Anadromous striped bass begin their spawning migration in the Spring and are found throughout the river from May through June. American Shad enter the river about the same time but the best fishing in the Sacramento River and tributaries is generally just before and after Memorial Day. Anadromous fish are not able to ascend the river above Shasta Lake. Resident Striped Bass, and Channel and White Catfish can be found in the river year round. The river from Redding downstream to Anderson contains an excellent population of resident Rainbow Trout that provides fishing opportunities with both conventional and fly fishing tackle. Because of the size of the river, shore access is often limited and boat access, especially in the lower reaches is preferred. There are numerous guides that provide guided fishing trips year round throughout the river.