There are seven hydroelectric dams along a stretch of the Pit River from below Fall River Mills to about 30 miles upstream. Despite this industrial presence, there is also a natural rainbow trout fishery of 12 to 15 inches, with some up to 4 pounds.
Flow on the Pit River is determined by release of water from the plants. So, if you choose to fish here, note that flows can drastically increase in a short period of time.
The key to fishing is to be there when the water is down, and to stay out of the slow water. Best fly waters are from Pit #3 to Pit #5, since the river is more open here.
Adams and Cahills are good fly patterns, as are Jug Bugs and Leeches. Bait anglers using nightcrawlers, crickets and eggs do well between Pit #1 and Pit #3.
Lure tossers score all along the hydroelectric chain. This is a unique fishery and requires good knowledge.
Pit #1 features parking at the powerhouse turnout off CA-299, with a trail to the tailrace at 40.9974°N, -121.5056°W. The shallow pocketwater immediately below the dam holds eager fish during optimal flows.
Pit #2 is accessed from Fenders Ferry Road to the ladder pool at 40.9899°N, -121.4687°W. Bushwhack trails on river right reach boulder seams that shelter trout during high releases.
Pit #3 offers a primary angler lot near the Pit #3 campground at 40.9871°N, -121.4375°W. Cross the footbridge to reach the classic riffles that define this section’s reputation.
Pit #4 has a gravel pullout 0.7 miles below the dam at 40.9828°N, -121.4018°W. Expect a steep descent to ledge slots and midriver boulders that require careful wading.
Pit #5 provides best entry via Muck Valley Road spur to 40.9776°N, -121.3633°W. Look for orange flagging on angler paths that lead to deep buckets holding trophy rainbows.
Pit #6 is accessed from Rock Creek Road to 40.9705°N, -121.3279°W. Long runs with basalt shelves on river left provide excellent dry fly opportunities.
Pit #7 parking sits at road end near the forebay at 40.9608°N, -121.2841°W. Hike downstream 0.4 miles to reach plunge pools with overhead shade that keep fish active midday.
PMDs pop late May through June midday with a second wave in September on cloudy afternoons. Spinners fall at dusk in the softer inside bends where trout sip confidently.
Hydropsyche caddis blanket Pit #3 to Pit #5 from late June through August evenings. Autumn Brachycentrus appear midafternoon around submerged grass edges when temperatures moderate.
BWOs trigger from mid-October through December on overcast mornings, most dense in Pit #4 tailouts. Expect size 18-20 emergences when temps sit in the high 50s.
Summer mornings carry sporadic midges across all sections. The key midday window is the small tan caddis from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Pit #6 shallow riffles.
Carry PMD emergers size 16-18 such as a Barr’s Emerger in pale yellow. Fish them as a dropper 18 inches off a micro split shot for optimal depth control.
CDC BWO emergers size 18-20 in olive-brown, like a Mercer’s Missing Link, outfish dries when fish hover in the film. Pit #4 flats are particularly responsive to these subtle patterns.
For caddis, run size 14-16 Tan X-Caddis and a size 16-18 deep Sparkle Pupa in cinnamon. Pinch barbs to minimize fish damage and comply with regulations.
High-sticking pits respond to size 14-16 Perdigons with 3.0-3.3 mm tungsten in black or purple on 6X fluoro. These excel when flows exceed 250 CFS and trout hug the bottom.
Carry black Jigged Leeches size 8-10 with 4.0 mm tungsten for Pit #5 buckets. Swing them on a short leader through backeddies at dusk for aggressive strikes.
Use a 9-foot 5-weight fast-action rod like the Sage R8 or G. Loomis NRX+ for mixed nymph and dry presentations. A 10-foot 4-weight Euro stick such as the Echo Shadow II or Hardy Ultralite LL provides tight-line control in heavy pocketwater.
Pair with sealed-drag reels like the Galvan Torque T-5 or Lamson Litespeed M to resist grit from basalt sand. These reels offer smooth drags essential for protecting light tippets.
Standard floating line should be Rio Elite Gold WF5F for dries. For Euro nymphing, use a level competition line 0.022 inches such as the Cortland Euro Tactical with a 20-foot mono rig butt.
Add a short sink tip like the Rio 10-foot Type 3 when swinging leeches below Pit #6 in fall flows. Felt soles with studs and a wading staff are mandatory—Simms G3 boots with Hardbite studs grip the slick green algae.
Read flows at the Pit 3 gauge before committing to your day. Flows between 100-180 CFS fish best for wading, while 200-280 CFS demands tight-line tactics with heavier tungsten.
Avoid new releases above 300 CFS unless highly experienced. Flows can spike 50-100 CFS within minutes when power demand rises during peak hours.
Check real-time data before hiking since cell service is weak. Download offline flow pages or call the automated release line before descending canyon trails.
Fish push to edges as flows climb. Target the first three feet off bank grasses during rising water when trout seek refuge.
Basalt bowling balls create false footing that can turn ankles. Probe every step with a staff and avoid moss-slick shelves on river left below Pit #4 dam.
Do not cross at tailouts when turbines ramp up. Retreat to bank when you hear a rise in white noise or see debris movement accelerate.
Wear a belt and carry a knife to cut loose if pinned by submerged branches in Pit #5 eddies. Cold shock risk is real in spring—layer with neoprene socks and a breathable shell to retain mobility.
Be cautious while wading or shore fishing given the rapid flow changes. Know your escape routes before committing to mid-river positions.
Big fish hold behind refrigerator-sized boulders in Pit #3 canyon bends at 4-6 feet depth. Drift a size 14 Frenchie with a 3.3 mm tungsten bead ahead of a size 16 WD-50 dropper.
Pit #5 has bruisers under ledge rock on river right 200 yards below the access spur. Crawl in and present a jig leech on a short line, letting it hover at eye level.
Swing soft hackles like size 14 Partridge and Yellow through tailouts at last light in Pit #6 for post-hatch eaters. In winter, target the slow gut above the Pit #7 bridge with size 18 zebra midges under 5/0 split shot to reach 7-8 foot trenches.
Tight-line nymphing excels in high gradient slots using a 10-foot 4-weight with 12-15 foot leader. Rig a 2-3 mm dropper 20 inches below a 3-4 mm anchor on 5X-6X fluoro.
For suspension rigs, run a NZ wool indicator 6-8 feet above a size 14 Super Pupa with a size 18 Barr Emerger dropper. Add one BB shot when flows exceed 180 CFS.
During PMD spinner falls, use a size 16 Rusty Spinner on 12-foot 5X nylon. Grease the first 3 feet of tippet to ride high in the surface film.
Skate size 14 Elk Hair Caddis cross-current at dusk. Two small downstream mends keep drag-free drifts over midriver buckets where trout hold.
Morning hours from 8-11 a.m. focus on BWOs and midges in Pit #4 tailouts. Fish unweighted emergers in the film for selective risers.
Midday when sun is high, shift to shaded banks and pocketwater. Run Euro nymphs tight to structure to counter fish dropping deeper.
Evening caddis and spinner activity spikes from 6-9 p.m. Work soft edges and backeddies with skated dries or swung soft hackles.
Night fishing is discouraged because flows can change without warning. Wading visibility drops dangerously after dark.
Optimal feeding occurs at 52-62°F for rainbow trout on the Pit River. Use a stream thermometer and move if temps exceed 66°F to avoid stressing trout.
In summer, start high in the system at Pit #3 where cold releases keep temps stable. In fall, Pit #6-#7 warm slightly and extend evening hatch windows.
After cold nights, wait until 10 a.m. for temps to rise above 50°F before expecting consistent grabs. During heat waves, fish dawn to 11 a.m. and relocate once temps crest 64°F.
Dry fly setups require 9-12 foot 5X nylon like Rio Powerflex for small mayflies. Step to 4X on caddis skaters to prevent twist.
Euro leaders use 18-20 foot mono rig with 15 lb Amnesia butt to 12 lb Sighter 0.013 inches to 5X-6X fluoro tippet. Seaguar Grand Max with micro swivels reduces spin on tungsten flies.
Indicator rigs need 9-foot 4X fluoro leader with 2-3 feet of 5X fluoro tippet. Add a 6-inch 4X tag for split shot above knot to avoid slipping.
Swinging setups use 5 feet of 3X fluoro off a Type 3 tip. This keeps leeches down without excessive hinge.
Pit #1-#3 allows bait and harvest per general regulations. Expect more pressure near campgrounds where access is easiest.
Pit #3 downstream is artificial-only, barbless hooks, and catch-and-release. Wardens check often around the powerhouse trails.
Daily limit above Pit #3 tailrace follows general trout rules but local signage can change during maintenance. Read kiosk postings carefully before fishing.
No felt restrictions currently exist, but decontaminate gear to prevent didymo spread. Felt use can be reviewed, so stay updated with CDFW notices.
Winter storms close Fenders Ferry Road to Pit #3-#4. Check Shasta-Trinity NF alerts before committing to a trip.
Snow lingers on shaded grades into March, making Pit #5 spur roads muddy and slick. Carry traction boards for safety.
PG&E maintenance can close dam roads during spring. Alternate to Pit #6 via Rock Creek when signs indicate closures.
Summer fire season often brings smoke and potential area restrictions. Have a secondary plan on Hat Creek or Fall River if visibility or health advisories worsen.
Planning a multi-lake trip or exploring more Northern California fly fishing? Check out these resources:
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