Susan River is a little known trout stream that combines good rainbow and brown trout fishing with history, scenery and easy hiking. Trout here go for number 12 Royal Coachman, Captain, Western Bee, hardware and bait, especially when the water is up. The Susan runs from west to east towards Susanville. Paralleling this gentle stream for most of its way is the Buzz Johnson Trail, a reclaimed railroad bed.
The 25 miles of trail are used mostly by hikers and mountain bikers, but anglers are finding it a great way to find trout in the Susan Canyon. Main access points are at Goumaz, Devil’s Corral and one upstream from Hobo Camp. Fishing pressure is heavy only in the spring at the lower end of the trail near Susanville. For a map, you may contact the Bureau of Land Management.
The Susan River runs northeast from the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada through northeastern California before feeding into Honey Lake. About 67 miles long, it winds through sagebrush valleys and marshlands, broadening in width as it descends from alpine feeders.
Geology includes volcanic basalt outcrops and alluvial streambeds. The upper river features fast riffles, gravel bars, and cold-water springs, while lower reaches slow into wide meanders with mud banks and tule marshes.
Flows peak from snowmelt in late spring, specifically April through June, when the river is fullest and coolest. They then taper to low, clear flows by late summer, often under 100 cubic feet per second.
Anglers should target flows before mid-August and be ready for warm, low-water conditions later in the season. Understanding these seasonal patterns is crucial for successful fishing trips.
Beyond rainbow and brown trout, the Susan River supports small populations of mountain whitefish measuring 10 to 14 inches. Brook trout ranging from 8 to 12 inches inhabit higher tributaries, while Sacramento suckers and the occasional largescale sucker appear in lower warmwater reaches.
Mountain whitefish bite best from October through March when water cools. Brookies inhabit spring-fed pockets year-round but peak during spring runoff, especially in April and May.
Lower sections can hold channel catfish weighing 1 to 5 pounds and carp ranging from 10 to 15 pounds in summer. Spin anglers can switch to heavier rigs when pursuing warmwater species.
The river’s native fish thrive best in oxygenated, riffly stretches. Plan to fish the upper canyon in spring and early summer, and revisit the slower meadow reaches in late fall when cooler nights recharge dissolved oxygen.
The Buzz Johnson Trail parallels part of the Susan River and honors the pioneering local guide. Starting near the Westwood Trailhead off Highway 36, it traces old logging roads across former mill towns.
The trail has multiple access points including Westwood, the Reach 2 parking lot near Johnstonville, and a trailhead near the Honey Lake Wildlife Area. Most of the 35-mile trail is wide singletrack with gentle grades, some gravel logging tread, and a few log bridge crossings.
It is adequate for hiking or pack trains, but expect seasonal washouts after heavy snow or spring runoff. Hikers can combine this route with fishing by dropping down to intersecting river access spots.
The trail frequently crosses side channels and swampy beaver ponds rich with trout. A typical outing could be a morning hike from Westwood, casting a dry-dropper in shaded riffles, then returning along the trail for a loop.
This combination of hiking and fishing makes the Susan River corridor unique among California trout streams. The relatively easy terrain allows anglers of all fitness levels to access productive water.
Fly anglers do best with patterns matching the river’s hatches. Early summer sees pale morning duns, so use a size 16 to 18 Elk Hair Caddis or pale Griffith’s Gnat dry fly matched with a beadhead pheasant tail nymph in size 16 as a dropper.
In low-water August conditions, tiny midge stacks including beadhead zebra midges in size 18 or emergers fished under an indicator are lethal. Pinch the barbs for smaller bites.
For streamers, try a woolly bugger in olive or black, size 4 to 6, swung slowly through deeper pools. This works especially well in lower reaches where trout hold near structure.
Spin anglers can toss 1/8 to 1/4 ounce spoons or inline spinners with Colorado blade-style designs above riffles. Use light 4- to 6-pound fluorocarbon for stealth.
Late-season techniques include dead drifting a brown lacewing nymph near undercut banks. Bouncing a small soft plastic on a light jighead works well for carp.
The Susan River corridor sits near Susanville, where anglers find the bulk of lodging. Hotels, motels, and vacation rentals offer town amenities plus guide services.
Westwood, on the upper river, has the rustic Susan River Inn and a supply store for last-minute gear. Campgrounds are available at the Susanville KOA, Canyon Dam Reservoir, and numerous Forest Service sites along Highway 36.
Most are first-come, first-served with vault toilets and potable water. Pack in extra water, waders, and insect repellent as mosquitoes thrive near marshy lower sections.
Cell service is spotty beyond Susanville, so download maps or carry a GPS. Best windows for trout are April through June and late September into October.
Book accommodations early for spring runoff weekends. Plan for stream access parking at the Reach 1 and 2 road pullouts, and leave gates as you find them to respect grazing leases.
The Susan River corridor near Susanville is a treasured high-desert trout stream whose quiet riffles reward anglers who respect the natural pace of this region. A valid California freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older.
Most Susan River trout anglers also carry the inland trout or salmon stamp or report card that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife still recommends for trout harvest records. Regulations for inland trout streams apply: the daily bag limit is five trout, the possession limit is ten, and only one trout may exceed 12 inches unless special area signage says otherwise.
Because the Susan River flows through CDFW wildlife areas and federal public lands, be alert for seasonal or temporary special restrictions. Many stretches adopt artificial-lures-only rules or catch-and-release practices during the spring spawning pulse.
Private land closures may apply near the lower Susan River in the Susanville area. Always check the current CDFW regulations pamphlet and posted bulletin boards before heading out.
Conservation and habitat restoration on the Susan River have grown increasingly collaborative. The Susan River Watershed Council, Susan River Conservation District, and CDFW partner with the Bureau of Land Management and local ranchers.
Together they work to re-establish meanders, reconnect side channels, and plant willow, cottonwood, and alder to shade pools and stabilize banks. Beaver-mimicry log structures and new riparian fencing have reduced erosion.
Invasive species removal, especially Himalayan blackberry and tamarisk, helps native sedges and rushes rebound. Projects funded by Prop 1 and local conservation grants now include a river daylighting effort in spots that had been straightened for irrigation.
Volunteers monitor stream temperature to protect the resident brown and rainbow trout from summer heat spikes. These efforts have significantly improved fish habitat throughout the watershed.
Susanville’s small but dedicated guiding community keeps the Susan River accessible to newcomers. Downtown outfitters and fly shops provide maps, rental rods, and up-to-the-minute river conditions.
They typically work with independent guides who specialize in single- and half-day trips through the Susan River Wildlife Area and Susan Canyon. These guides often combine a gentle hike along the Buzz Johnson Trail with instruction on dry-fly tactics, streamside etiquette, and low-impact camping.
Because the river’s most productive pockets are within a short drive of town, local outfitters also partner with lodging providers. They arrange multi-day Lassen County trips that include access to Honey Lake and the East Side of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Working with a local guide on your first visit can dramatically shorten the learning curve. They know current water conditions, recent hatches, and the most productive access points.
The Susan River has deep cultural roots. Achomawi and Atsugewi peoples moved seasonally along the downstream terraces and collected salmon, small game, and tule reeds for baskets long before Susanville’s 19th-century homesteaders arrived.
The town itself is named for Susan Roop, daughter of Isaac Roop. Indigenous heritage lives on through tribal events and place names that honor the riverside camps where traditional stories and stewardship practices evolved.
Today the community celebrates that shared history during river cleanups and educational programs. These events weave fishing traditions with respect for tribal treaty rights.
Understanding this cultural heritage enriches the fishing experience. It connects modern anglers to thousands of years of sustainable resource use.
Wildlife viewing along the Susan River is a bonus for anglers and hikers alike. Riparian stands host migrating warblers, yellow-breasted chats, and great blue herons.
The broader valley supports sandhill cranes, migratory ducks, and the occasional bald eagle patrolling for cutthroat trout fingerlings. Mammals such as mule deer, coyotes, and river otter often appear near restoration ponds.
Beavers continue rebuilding lodges downstream from Susanville. Native plant communities, skimmed with camas lilies, lupine, and spring wildflowers, bloom in the willow-shaded margins and invite quiet moments of reflection between casts.
Bring binoculars and a camera to capture these wildlife encounters. The diversity of species reflects the healthy ecosystem that supports quality trout fishing.
The Susan River represents everything a destination trout stream should be: productive fishing, stunning scenery, rich history, and easy access. Its combination of the Buzz Johnson Trail and quality trout water creates unique opportunities for anglers who enjoy hiking.
The relatively light fishing pressure compared to more famous California streams means you can often find solitude. Spring runoff brings excellent fishing conditions, while fall offers beautiful colors and aggressive feeding behavior.
Whether you are a fly angler targeting rising trout during a pale morning dun hatch or a spin fisherman working hardware through pocket water, the Susan River delivers. Local conservation efforts ensure this fishery will remain productive for generations to come.
Plan your visit during the prime seasons of April through June or September through October. Combine fishing with exploring the Buzz Johnson Trail, and take time to appreciate the cultural and natural history of this special place.
The Susan River may be little known compared to famous California trout streams, but it offers everything serious anglers seek: challenging fish, beautiful water, and a genuine connection to the landscape and its heritage.
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