Lower Sacramento River. Lower Sacramento River offers great fishing for large, native rainbows that is often overlooked. Salmons are taken from about September to December, but fat rainbows can be taken all year long.
Salmon hooked out of season must be released. The Lower Sacramento River is fished primarily with drift boats working from Redding to Red Bluff. Locals report that some of the best rainbow fishing can actually be found in and around the city of Redding and all the way up to Keswick Dam.
Drift fishermen dragging lures consistently take some of the best stringers of rainbows on the Lower Sacramento River. Preferred lures include the #50 or #30 Hot Shot plug and Storm’s Wiggle and Wee Wart crankbaits in silver or gold with black backs.
The #F-4 and #F-5 Flatfish are also regional favorites which are drifted behind a sliding sinker to fish in 30 to 35 foot depths. Most drifters use spinning or baitcasting outfits with light 6 to 8 pound test monofilament.
Bait fisherman “mooch” offerings drifted along the river bottom. Nightcrawlers, salmon roe, or a large single salmon egg rigged on a dropper line with 3-way swivel and pencil lead will be the ticket.
From late April through mid-September, the Lower Sacramento River offers some exciting fly fishing opportunities, especially on 10 to 22 inch rainbows. Dry fly patterns – sometimes all the way up to a size of #10 – which are effective include Adams, Goddard Caddis, Henryville, and Elk Hair Caddis.
Many rainbows along this run will be taken by fishing flies “wet”. Because of the swift currents, consider using extra weighted patterns. Nymphs, such as the Bird’s Nest, Cricket, Prince and Hare’s Ear will work. a strike indicator is recommended.
Fall chinook surge into the Lower Sac from the Golden Gate in late August, stacking in cool tailwaters near Redding by mid‑September and peaking around the Bonnyview to Anderson stretch when flows stabilize; late spawners linger into November, creating a steady buffet of eggs that supercharges trout and steelhead feeding. Winter steelhead push in December–February on rising flows, holding in softer edges near Cow Creek, Jelly’s Ferry, and the Red Bluff Diversion Dam before sliding back down on drop‑and‑clear cycles.
In spring, a smaller pulse of late winter steelhead and half‑pounders rides the warming flows, often pausing near the Highway 44 bridge and the mouth of Churn Creek to intercept emerging mayflies. Summer runs are about resident rainbows and early chrome; dawn and last light see steelhead nosing into the cool plume below the ACID Dam and the deep slots by Keswick.
Reliable put‑ins include the Posse Grounds Ramp in Redding at roughly 40.5867, -122.3781, which gives quick boat access to the Sundial Bridge flats. Bonnyview Boat Ramp around 40.5412, -122.3606 sits downstream with ample parking and an easy back‑eddy launch for drift boats.
Further south, Anderson River Park Ramp at 40.4455, -122.2791 offers a forgiving gravel launch and short row to productive seams. Bend Bridge access near 40.2898, -122.2034 serves as a mid‑river takeout with firm footing and current that’s manageable for novice oars.
Jelly’s Ferry (approx. 40.2185, -122.1238) is the go‑to put‑in for the canyon reach toward Red Bluff, but watch wind funnels in the afternoon. The Red Bluff Diversion Dam area near 40.1767, -122.2363 is a popular takeout with solid parking and sightlines to time your approach.
The Lower Sac fishes best for trout and steelhead on 5,000–9,000 CFS when side seams develop and clarity stays 3–6 feet. Above 12,000 CFS, wade opportunities vanish and boaters should tuck into inside bends and flooded willow lines where fish slide to softer water.
Water temps below Keswick usually range 50–56°F year‑round; when temps tick above 58°F in summer afternoons, prioritize dawn sessions and fast oxygenated riffles. A slight green tint is ideal; if vis drops below two feet after storms, fish bigger profiles—Rubberlegs size 6–8, pegged beads 8–10 mm—and add split shot to keep contact.
Advanced drifters should set anchors only on inside bends with firm gravel, never in tailouts; drop upstream of the target seam, then stern‑anchor lightly so the bow points at the drift. Use a controlled back‑troll angle, feeding line downstream while keeping a high rod tip to lift over micro‑currents and avoid wrapping around the anchor rope.
When side‑slipping, row in short, even pulls to match the speed of the indicator, and mend immediately after each pull to hold a straight presentation through the feeding lane. Carry a short rope and quick‑release clip on the anchor for safety in rising flows, and stow loose line to prevent tangles when re‑setting.
Bank anglers find prime water under the Sundial Bridge with paved trail access and clear casting lanes. The Turtle Bay gravel bars provide room for swinging flies or drifting beads without heavy brush.
South of town, the Anderson River Park bank above the launch has a deep inside seam reachable with a long drift; park in the main lot and walk 200 yards upriver. Bend Bridge has a short trail from the parking turnout to the downstream bar—watch for slick cobble.
Monthly hatches start with February–March blue‑winged olives (size 18–20) and midges (20–22) best fished with double nymph rigs. April–May bring March Browns (14–16), PMDs (16–18), and the first caddis pops (16–18 X‑Caddis or CDC Elk Hair).
June–July evenings feature Hydropsyche caddis (14–16) and sporadic golden stones (8–10), perfect for a dry‑dropper with a Chubby Chernobyl. August–September sees Isonychias (12–14) and heavy caddis at dusk; October–November deliver BWO returns and October caddis (8–10 orange stimulators) that pull big trout to the top.
For deep runs, rig a 9–10 ft 3X–4X leader with two BB split shot 12–16 inches above a size 8 Rubberlegs, then trail a size 16–18 beadhead PT 14–18 inches behind. In tailouts, lighten to a single #4 shot and lengthen leader to 11 ft so flies glide just above the cobble.
Use an Air‑Lock or Thingamabobber set 1.5–2X the depth of the slot, then high‑stick to reduce drag while feeding slack in six‑inch strips. Mend ahead of boils and keep the indicator tracking the same speed as the bubble line; if it stalls or speeds up, adjust shot immediately.
Guides with solid Lower Sac credentials include The Fly Shop guides out of Redding (affiliated shop near 4140 Churn Creek Rd), Confluence Outfitters, and AC Fly Fishing—each runs jet and drift trips from Posse to Jelly’s Ferry. Local fly shops worth a stop: The Fly Shop for patterns and flows board, Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir for Upper Sac intel, and Redding Sportsman’s Warehouse for hardware.
Weather swings matter: calm mornings fish best for dries and light indicator setups, while afternoon north winds require heavier shot and shorter leaders to punch through chop. Overcast days spike BWO hatches; bright days push fish deeper until the last 90 minutes of light, when caddis and small mayflies re‑ignite the bite.
Time of day: be on the water at gray light in summer for cooler temps and again two hours before dark for caddis; in winter, target late morning to mid‑afternoon when water nudges above 50°F. After storms, wait for the first day of dropping flows and 2–3 feet of vis—steelhead slide to inside seams then.
Catch‑and‑release for native rainbows: fight fish hard on 3X–4X to minimize stress, keep them submerged, and unhook with hemostats. Cradle fish facing into the current until they kick; avoid letting them flop in the net or on hot gravel.
Use rubber nets, pinch barbs, and swap trebles on plugs to single barbless siwash hooks to reduce injury. In egg seasons, avoid walking over redds (clean pea‑gravel depressions) and keep dogs and anchors out of spawning flats.
When flows dip below 5,000 CFS, expect spooky fish and concentrate on longer, finer leaders with smaller shot and subtle mends. Above 10,000 CFS, move to the edges, beef up tippet to 2X–3X, and run bigger indicators to float the weight needed to reach depth.
For hardware anglers, Kwikfish K11–K13 with sardine wraps work in green water near Anderson, and size 3–4 Blue Fox Vibrax spinners shine in softer bank eddies at Bend and Jelly’s Ferry. Side‑drifters can back‑bounce roe or beads 10–14 inches off the deck with a 2–3 oz lead in the heavier lanes.
A stealthy swing game shines in October–November: 11 ft switch rods with 10 ft T‑8 tips and soft hackles or small intruders (1.5–2 inches) tailored to 54–56°F water. Cast quartering downstream, step every two swings, and let the fly hang below for steelhead that trail and nip on the dangle.
Always check the daily flow release from Keswick and the hourly wind forecast before committing to long drifts; adjust your float plan to allow earlier takeouts if gusts spike. Keep a dry bag with spare layers—foggy mornings near Redding can warm quickly, while canyon winds below Jelly’s Ferry cool fast after sundown.
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