Shasta Cascade Fishing Report
Northern California’s UpState region is home to some of the most diverse and scenic fishing waters in the state—from wild rivers and alpine lakes to well-stocked reservoirs. The UpStateCA Fishing Report is your go-to resource for current conditions, seasonal highlights, and insider tips to help you make the most of your time on the water.
Whether you’re chasing trophy trout, casting for steelhead or salmon, or planning a relaxing day of bass fishing with family and friends, this page brings together timely updates from across the region. If you are looking for a guide we suggest Marble Mountain Guest Ranch, Circle 7, and for fishing supplies and boat repairs, Phil's Propeller.
Fishing in UpState California is more than a pastime—it’s a way to connect with nature, support local communities, and experience the region’s outdoor heritage. Check back often for updated reports, plan your next adventure, and discover why anglers return year-after-year to fish UpStateCA.
Please check freshwater sport fishing regulations and recent planting:
2-16-26
The Fly Shop
Report Date:
http://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.htm
Fishing conditions: Good
Report: A lot of smaller trout have been stocked at the lake, mostly 8 - 12" fish and they are all super happy to eat your fly. Good flies will depend upon what fish you are targeting, the stockers will chase Crystal Buggers and swung Zug Bugs, and a small black Balanced Leech is always a good choice here. For the BWOs, bring your S&Ms, ZT's Jig Nations, and BP Weiss Nymphs for nymphs and for dries the Milla Time May BWO and Hackle Stacker Baetis should have you covered. We'll keep our finger on the pulse and update the report as we hear more. Our guides have this place wired if you are looking for some tactical advice on fishing a great spring creek fishery with an expert!
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Adams - #18-20
• Hackle Winged May - BWO
• Harrop's Last Chance - All
• Griffith's Gnat
• Mercer's Missing Link - #14-18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Red Copper John - #18
• GB Flashback PT - #14-20
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #18-20
• Mercer's Gidget
• Mercer's CB Micro Mays - #16-18
• GB Flashback PT - Olive #18
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20
• Chromie - #18
Steamers & Leeches:
• JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail - #10
• Beaded Micro Buggers - #12
• Zack's Damseleech - #14
Update 3-19-26
Bucks Lake, Quincy, CA, a prominent high-elevation Plumas County reservoir, offers a robust multi-species fishery. Key species include rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon, and a notable smallmouth bass population. Current water temperature (60°F) is conducive for trout and salmon. Optimal fishing action, rated 3/5, often occurs during major and minor solunar periods, including mid-afternoon and early morning. Trolling is highly effective for trout and kokanee, while smallmouth bass respond to jigs and crankbaits around rocky structure. Generally mild winds (3 mph average) facilitate comfortable angling.
1/31/26
Snow fell in the area over the New Year, and interest in trout trolling slowed to a crawl. Once the weather clears, trollers should be back out there looking for two-fish limits with a variety of trolling flies or red/gold spoons from the surface to 10 feet. The trout season ends on February 28 before reopening during the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend.
Western Outdoor News.
2-5-26
No updates at this time
2-7-26
The Fly Fishers Place
Report Date:
http://www.flyfishersplace.com/index.php
The Fall River is fishing well and is a primo spot to enjoy this week. There have been some good Blue Wing Olive hatches mid-day that a #18-20 KD Dun, Purple Comparadun or EP Sparkle Dun will do the trick on. A long light leader with a 6x or 7x nylon tippet will be a huge benefit and I can argue is equally important to the success as the actual fly.
Midge hatches along with a few scattered Caddis (Grey #14 and Amber #14-16), Purple Hippie Stompers, and yes it is early but add a #14 March Brown to the box this week. With the weather we might see a small wave of them hatch.
Eggs, Slum Lords, Rainbow Warrior or Lightning Bugs, Zebra Midges, Purple, Black, Brown and Olive Perd’s and Jig Soft Hackle PT.
Another thing to consider as you approach the river is a sink tip and a streamer. Small Articulated Streamers, Sculpzulla, Wooly Buggers, Zonkers and Jigs….Make it move!
Our customer Colin shared a report from the Fall River recently and called the habitat the fish use there “Log Cabins”. I love that, and it made me laugh. Streamers are a great fly to throw at the “Log Cabins”.
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
8/1/25
Salmon season is open, but numbers are still low with the occasional fish taken at the outlet of down river around Shanghai Falls. Flows are still a bit high at 7,000 CFS. making it difficult for bank fishing. Striper counts remain mixed with a few decent fish taken in the early am or later in the evening on the lower river.
-Courtesy of Western Outdoor News
2-4-26
The Fly Shop
Report Date:
http://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.htm
Fishing conditions: Fair to Good
Report: This is the slow season for Hat Creek and you will see predominantly Blue Wing Olives and midges if you see a hatch at all. Some good days can be had in the flats and lower in the system below Highway 299 with the winter stoneflies. There are a lot of smaller mayflies and midges coming off, so small Zebra Midges and the BP Weiss nymph works well under a dry. We would also like to take this chance to remind folks who fish the Powerhouse 2 riffle that the wild trout spawn in this section. Use caution to stay off of any redds and let the fish do their thing so we have a healthy fish population.
Hot Flies:
• Lance's Jigged X-May
• Rubberlegs
• Sweet Pea Jigged Baetis
• Pheasant Tails
• Mercer's Missing Link
• S&M Nymph
• Walt's Worm
• Peaches n' Green
• BP Weiss Nymph
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
Note: Hat Creek is a world renown fishery. Wild trout are large and abundant!
12/7/24
Iron Canyon can be a winter time sleeper if the road conditions are good. Might be worth checking out before the next round of storms! Balanced Swimming Leeches are always a safe bet as well as worm patterns and midges!
Hot Flies:
Midge Flies:
Harrop's CDC Emerging Midge - #20
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• San Juan Worm - Fire #8-14
• Chromies - #16-18
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #16-20
• Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #14-18
GB Half-Flashback PT - #16-20
Streamers & Leeches:
• Beaded Micro Buggers
• Freshwater Clouser - Olive/White
• Zonkers - #4
- Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
(Image: Nor Cal Fish Reports)
3/19/26
8/5/25
The upper river has been steadily clearing all summer. Releases from Klamath Lake have been around 950 CFS for the past several weeks. Water clarity on the lower end has been good, the water temps have been bouncing between 70 and 74 F. With the numbers of adult and half pounder Steelhead and Kings in the Trinity, things are looking up for a good run of fish to be passing through the estuary in August.
Hot Flies:
Eggs:
• Clown Egg
• Micro Spawn - Shrimp Pink or Salmon Egg
• Boles Bazookas
Nymphs:
• Pat's Rubberlegs - #4-8
• Coppertop Duracell - #16
• Red Copper Johns - #14-18
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• Beaded Assassins
-Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
12/31/25
Almanor is still fishing well into December due to generally mild weather and conditions. Water temps have slid into the mid-40s, though trout are still roaming and feeding instead of tightening up in their winter pattern. Pond smelt remain the main driver, which is keeping fish spread through the water column from the surface down into the 30-foot range. The bite is increasingly number-heavy, with smaller aggressive rainbows showing up often and better browns and heavier rainbows mixed in. Trolling techniques remain the same as the last report... worms, plastics, trolling flies, and spoons in baitfish patterns. Calm conditions have pushed the bite toward slower presentations across the board, and anything rushed is getting mostly ignored.
Fishcaddy.com
3/5/26
Good Spotted Bass bite
Bass, King Salmon
51°F Mixed
Spotted bass are the clear focus at Oroville right now, with nice 2–3 pound fish grouped along rocky spots from the bank out to about 30 feet. They had begun sliding into shallower rock and transition banks, but the latest push of cold water from the storms repositioned them back off the bank and into that 15–30 foot zone. Most consistent bites are coming on rip baits worked down to depth and then left to suspend on slack. Jigs and finesse plastics are producing on flatter rock and wood structure, while crankbaits are picking off fish along defined mudlines where stained inflow meets clearer water.
King salmon to around 4-5 pounds are still showing for trollers running near 2.0 mph. Surface temps are hovering right around 50 degrees, but could see an uptick this week with mid-60s air temps forecasted.
FishCaddy.com
1-8-26
Fishing conditions: Good
Report: Recent reports indicate that you can get a lot of fish on midge pupae like #18 - 20 Zebra Midges in black and red, and the BP Weiss nymphs as well. Bring your Woolley Buggers too as you can get fish stripping them with your I-line setup, black, olive and brown all can work depending on the conditions. This lake has a lot of Callibaetis and fishing a small, #18 Pheasant Tail nymph on an I-Line or under an indicator an work very well. Look for cruising fish and if they are eating up to, use a #18 or #20 Adams.
The lake is a good option if you are in the area, with intermittent releases from Trinity Lake, fishing right below the outflow can produce some consistent hookups. With the number of Damsels and Dragonflies in this system, Wooly Buggers stripped in brown, black and olive, and Balanced Leeches the same color stripped or fished under an indicator are solid approaches. And Zebra Midges in #16 - 18, black and red, are a staple here. We've got guides who can get you out on Lewiston, give Bryan a call to set up a trip!
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Hackle Stackers - BWO #18
• Parachute Adams - #14-18
• Mayfly Cripples
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Ultra Scuds - #16
• Chromies - #18-20
• Mercer's CB Micro May - Black #18
• Flashback Pheasant Tail - #16-18
• Beaded Zebra Midges - #18-20
• Mercer's Gidgets
Streamers & Leeches:
• JGF Translucent Wiggle Tail
• Woolly Bugger - Any
• Beadhead Crystal Buggers - #8
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8
• Zack's Damseleech - Orange/Olive
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
3-20-26
- Regulations: Catch-and-release only with artificial lures and single, barbless hooks.
- Techniques: The lake is shallow around the edges (5–7 feet), making it ideal for float tubes, pontoon boats, or wading. A floating line works well, while a sinking line can be effective for catching larger trout in the afternoon.
- Top Flies: Callibaetis (nymphs/dries), Damselflies (nymphs/dries), midge patterns, and leech/crayfish patterns.
- Timing: Late morning (10:30–11:00 AM) often sees mayfly hatches, while afternoon brings better action with nymphs.
- Access: The season usually begins in May or June, depending on snowpack, and lasts until Halloween.
2-4-26
We have not heard lately how it is fishing, but this is a good time to go historically. Balanced Leeches, worm, and midges under an indicator are go-to patterns, but those who know how to fish Zack's leeches or damsels on a sinking line can do very well!
2-4-26
Report Date:
http://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.htm
Fishing conditions: Good
Report: The river is in good shape throughout and is fishing well for the winter. Small, black nymphs would be the go-to method with good clarity this time of year, #18-20 Zebra Midges, X-Mays, and Perdigons will work best. Fishing tailouts with streamers like Barr's olive or black Slumpbuster or your favorite Sculpin will produce. Streamers can net a big Brown. To reserve a day with one of our expert guides to experience one of the most picturesque streams in the north state, call Bryan in Outfitters at 800-669-3474.
Hot Flies:
• Morrish's Adult October Caddis
• Pat's Rubberlegs
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Olive Hotspot
• Coppertop Duracell
• Sweet Pea - #16/
• Copper John Red - #16/
• Jigged Birds Nest - Natural, Hot Spot #14-16
• Walt's Worm
- Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
Report provided by Modoc Outdoor Recreation and Tourism:
The drought is hitting Modoc hard. Some lakes that are at the basis for great fishing in Modoc County are low enough to challenge boaters at the launch and the river has not run high all year. Surprisingly though, the fishing has not suffered… yet. As a mater of fact, low lake levels have made targeting bass and other warm water species like, well, shooting fish in a barrel. A fly angler recently landed a 5.5 pound largemouth from shore on a Devil’s Garden lake. Kids get hooked on the lifestyle when 20-fish days are common, as they are right now. Trout are kegged up in deeper holes in rivers and streams making them almost too easy to target. All in all, it is a great time to be an angler in Modoc County. Just pray for rain before it all goes away…
Here are a few tips for low-water fishing:
•Please remember fish do not do as well when released in warmer water, especially trout and other cold water species.
•Play fish intended for release as quickly as possible, wet hands and keep fish in the water to maximize survival after release.
•Think about keeping a few smaller fish where regulations allow to lessen the drought’s impact on others left behind.
•Remember fuels are dry! Don’t start a wildfire that could impact all kinds of habitat, including already-stressed fisheries.
•Always leave an area better than you found it. Increased visitation means increased trash and other waste. Public servants cannot always keep up due to declining budgets and soaring demands. Please do your part!
5/23/22
Over the past three weeks, I’ve had several trips on Hat Creek, the McCloud, and the Upper Sac. The flows are very wadable, the water temps are in the low-mid 50’s, and all three rivers have fished very well for my guests. Euro nymphing has been the most productive technique for my guests, but we’ve also done very well fishing dry-dropper rigs, and you will always catch fish on an indicator rig. The dogwood trees are blooming along the McCloud, which always makes this a special time of year. If you’re interested in learning a new technique, or perfecting what you have already learned – let’s book a walk-wade trip on any of our amazing rivers!
- Courtesy of:
Confluence Outfitters
Andrew Harris
888-481-1650
andrew@confluenceoutfitters.com
7/29/25
The flows from Britton remain around 360 CFS and this is a little high, you can fish it, but be careful wading. Flows from below the Pit 4 dam continue to be high around 450 CFS and 680 CFS at Big Bend. Apparently the road between Lake Britton and the Pit 4 Powerhouse will be closed during the day on weekdays for PG&E work. This work is scheduled to be completed in December.
This is a great river to fish a Euro rod and we highly recommend it. Be careful though, this can be a slippery river to wade. We recommend a wading staff when fishing the Pit.
Be aware that the flows on the Pit can and will change without notice, so definitely check before you go! And be prepared to get out when the river begins to rise.
Here are some useful links to monitor the flows:
Pit 3 - Below Pit 3 Dam
Pit 5 - Through Big Bend
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Stimulator - Orange
• Foam October Caddis
• Potter's October Caddis
• Mercer's Skating October Caddis
• Adams - #14-18
• Mayfly Cripples - #12-16
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Skip’s TB October Caddis
• Dark Lords - #12-16
• Flashback Pheasant Tail - #14-16
• Beaded Zebra Midge - #18
• Mercer's Poxyback Dark Stone - #6
• GB Black A.P. - #10-12
• CB Micro Mayflies - #16-18
• Red Copper Johns - #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg - #6-8
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• Jigged Birds Nest - #14-16
• Walt's Worm
Streamers & Leeches:
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8
- Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
Privately owned waters represent an appreciable portion of California’s fishable waters. This includes flowing waters, privately owned lakes, and ponds. California’s private waters provide a great amount of fishing opportunity, produces quality fisheries and are important habitats for native wildlife species. Book with one of our amazing members here:
The Fly Shop
There are several hundred miles of rivers, creeks, lakes and streams within easy striking distance of The Fly Shop® in Redding. To book a guided trip on one of our private waters or regional lakes or streams you can call or send a message at info@theflyshop.com.
https://www.theflyshop.com/adventures/private.html
Reports from The Fly Shop Private Waters:
https://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.html
Confluence Outfitters
We guide the best trout and steelhead destinations in northern California and southern Oregon. The guide team at Confluence Outfitters has the expertise, local knowledge and versatility to make your next fly fishing trip a trip to remember!
2/16/26
Fishing conditions: Good
Report: Flows from Keswick continue to be dropped, it is 6,500 CFS today and will be down to 5,800 CFS on Wednesday. The fishing has really improved over the past week with large fish being caught up top and good numbers down past Anderson. The storm this week will mix things up, we'll keep you updated with visibility reports. Fish are eating yellow and orange eggs, Rubberlegs, and if there is a Caddis or Baetis hatch tie on Poopahs, Bird's Nests and your favorite Perdigon or Olive Hotspot. This is the typical winter patter, midges in the morning followed by baetis and caddis. Sunny days will bring a possible PMD hatch.
To get a day on the books with one of our guides this spring, give Bryan a call in Outfitters at 800-669-3474
- Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
2-16-26
Fishing conditions: Fair to Good
Report: This storm is adding quite a bit of flow the the river, it will probably blow in the lower sections in the next few days. Although you can't cross in the same places you can in the summer, you can get some streamer action with sculpin patterns lower in the system. The upper river will be lower and colder, so probably easier wading. Bring the usual patterns for the Upper, Rubberlegs, Zebra Midges, some BP Weiss nymphs and fish them under a dry. On sunny days you can possibly get a hatch, so a well-stocked dry box would be a shame to leave at home.
Upper Sacramento Flows at Delta
Hot Flies:
Dry Flies:
• Sedgeback October Caddis - #10
• Low Water Baetis - #18
• Adams - #12-20
• Mercer's Missing Link - Dark #14-16
• Parachute Adams - #14-18
Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Tungsten October Pupa
• Skip's TB October Caddis
• CB Birds Nest - #10-14
• Red Copper John - #16-18
• Zebra Midge - #18-20
• Mercury Black Beauty
• Mercer's Glass Bead Micro May - #22
• Mercer's GB Dark Stone - #8
• Mercer's Dark Stone - #6
• Pat's Rubber Legs - Brown #6-8
• Jigged Birds Nest - #14-16
• Gordon's Amber Wing Prince - #12-18
• Mercer's CB Micro Mayfly - #16-18
• Walt's Worm
Streamers & Leeches:
• Sheila Sculpin
• Woolly Buggers
• Zack's Stillwater Swimming Leech - #8
- Courtesy of The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop
800-669-3474
info@theflyshop.com
https://www.theflyshop.com/
3-23-26
Latest Bass Fishing update for Sat. 3-21.
The fish are starting to move shallower and making some beds . Fished the Rocks and points up Squaw (Sulanharas) Creek and up by Rend Island on the Pit Arm. On Sat the 21st. Using light line, medium rods. Drop shot and shaky heads and dart heads with anything that looks like a small bait fish or minnow. Lots of bites and lots of small to medium size spotted bass to be had up to 2 lbs.. We also caught a few small mouth as well. Water temp on surface 58 to 60, air temp reached 90. A beautiful day. Plus we had lunch with a bald Eagle in the cove we were fishing. The fish were 5 to 20 feet deep. I was able to catch a couple of larger fish Friday and Saturday. a 4.62 and a 4.87 in a Pit River cove and in a Squaw Cr. cove. These two fish were females, caught and immediately released.
Update post by: Joe Rodola
Avid Shasta Lake Fisherman
Fishing report update by California Information Center.
2-11-26
The Fly Shop
Report Date:
http://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.htm
Fishing conditions: Fair to Good
Report: The bass are in a pre-spawn mode and finding them is a little tougher, you will have to fish points and structure. Most bass are 20-30 feet or lower. Fish the Pit or Squaw arms for the good numbers. Dark Float n' Flies fished at least eight feet deep continues to be the most productive method. Look for the bass and trout to chase shad balls and throw a streamer like the Baby Fat Minnow in Sexy Shad on an I-Line. This fall and through the winter will be a great time to get out on the lake if you would like to catch as many fish as you can handle or want to sight cast streamers to cruising fish, give us a call or book directly on our website page to get a good day of fishing on Shasta Lake!
Hot Flies:
• Wooly Buggers
• Float-n-Flies
• Dead Drop Minnow
• Zack's Stillwater Balanced Leech
12/1/25
Lake Siskiyou is putting out a serious trout bite right now, for both numbers and size. Browns and rainbows to 5-6 pounds are hammering trolled spoons in the top 25 feet of the water column. Folks are reporting excellent catch counts, upwards of 10-20 fish a day with plenty of size mixed in. Flat water and clear fall conditions have made this an ideal time to get on the water.
Fishcaddy.com
12/31/25
Trinity Lake has been hit-or-miss lately. temperatures are very cool, both in the water and the daily temps. fishermen. Cold water temperatures have slowed bass activity. Still, patient anglers putting in the time are landing quality fish. Bass action has been best on primary and secondary points, worked very slowly with drop-shot worms, grubs, or slow-rolled swimbaits. Most fish are well worth the wait, in the 3-to-6-pound range.
For trout, a few holdovers are being nailed near the surface by anglers casting spoons. Trout stockings should be coming at any time.
Fishcaddy.com
1/24/26
Flows on the Trinity River have come up with recent rain, but the river is still producing. That bump in water has helped new steelhead push in, and there’s now a noticeable mix of wild fish alongside hatchery returns. When flows rise quickly, steelhead stop traveling and settle into softer holding water… inside edges, depth breaks, and protected tailouts where they don’t have to fight current. As flows stabilize, movement resumes and fish become more willing to eat.
Black and silver plugs continue to draw grabs when worked through defined travel lanes. As flows settle, deeper nymphing has been more consistent, picking off steelhead holding in buckets and along seam edges.
The upper river below Lewiston remains the most reliable stretch thanks to cold water and predictable flows, but fish are also spread through the mid and lower sections wherever structure breaks up the flow.
Fishcaddy.com
12/31/25
Water temps at Whiskeytown are down to around 60°F. Trout haven’t been stocked since July, but holdovers are getting more active with the cool down. The CDFW has scheduled its first stock of the season for next week. Trolled spoons, Rapalas (both tipped with nightcrawler), and even Kokanee gear are still pulling some quality fish, though the Kokanee bite is long done. Fly anglers are picking up a few as well in the backs of coves and inlets with midges and woolly buggers. Spotted bass are still biting, more size than numbers, with dropshots and small swimbaits doing the best. Woolly buggers are working for bass, too. Once temps dip a few more degrees, expect the bass action to fade out for winter.
Fishcaddy.com
