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© 2026 Barbless.co. Flow and gauge data from USGS; weather from Open-Meteo. · v2026.10.30.2

  1. Reports
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Oct2026October 2026
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Region

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  • North Central Region2
  • Northern Region18

Rivers & Lakes

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  • Hamilton Branch1
  • Hat Creek2
  • Klamath River3
  • Mad River1
  • McCloud River2
  • Redwood Creek1
  • Sacramento River2
  • Smith River1
  • South Fork Eel River1
  • Trinity River4

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  • Conditions18

Browse California Fishing Reports

Current conditions, flows, and hatch notes for California rivers: updated as new reports are published.

Updated October 30, 2026

Filters:Northern RegionRemove Northern Region filter

Showing 1–18 of 18 reports

Filters:Northern RegionRemove Northern Region filter

Yesterday

Northern Region

Trinity River

The Trinity is in prime fall steelhead season with low, clear water and cool weather. Stable flows and 54-degree water make for solid fishing conditions through November.

613 cfs

October 28, 2026

Northern Region

Klamath River

Fall salmon season is in full swing on the Klamath, with clear, low water and excellent king schools in the estuary. Steelhead action upriver has been good at first light.

2,630 cfs

Northern Region

Mad River

The Mad River is closed to fishing through January 1, 2027 due to low-flow restrictions, with current flows at 52 cfs well below the required 200 cfs minimum.

52 cfs

Northern Region

Redwood Creek

Redwood Creek is closed to fishing due to low flows. As of late October, flows at the Highway 101 bridge gauge were at 12 cfs, well below the 300 cfs minimum.

12 cfs ↑

Northern Region

Smith River

The Smith River remains closed under low-flow restrictions through April 2027, with flows at 50 cfs far below the 600 cfs opening threshold as of late October.

50 cfs ↑

Northern Region

South Fork Eel River

The South Fork Eel remains closed until January 1, 2027 due to low flows. Current conditions at 28 cfs are far below the 340 cfs minimum threshold.

28 cfs

Northern Region

Trinity River

Adult Chinook closure is in effect on the lower main stem as of mid-October, but jack salmon and steelhead remain open through the end of the year. Current flows and cool water temperatures support productive fishing.

613 cfs

October 27, 2026

Northern Region

Hat Creek

Hat Creek is cooling into prime fall territory with October Caddis, BWO, and midge hatches coming on.

Northern Region

Klamath River

Half pounders and scattered adult salmon are moving through the Klamath, with spawning activity concentrated near Tree of Heaven. Fish are moving fast, so focus on egg and nymph patterns in likely holding water.

October 21, 2026

Northern Region

Hamilton Branch

Hamilton Branch is flowing steady with mostly green water and active fish feeding on pond smelt. Shore anglers should focus on smelt patterns while watching for occasional muddy pushes during flow spikes.

October 20, 2026

Northern Region

Hat Creek

Hat Creek is cooling into fall with October Caddis, BWO, and midge activity in the riffles and flats.

Northern Region

Klamath River

Half pounders are moving through mid-river pods on the Klamath, with salmon spawning in the Tree of Heaven area. The upper river above Iron Gate is closed.

Northern Region

McCloud River

October Caddis hatches and spawning brown trout make the McCloud a solid choice right now. Evening dry activity is picking up near the edges.

Northern Region

Sacramento River

The Sacramento is in good shape with October Caddis emerging upstream and salmon spawning activity drawing strong rainbows downstream.

Northern Region

Trinity River

The Trinity is fishing well with eager steelhead showing daily and heavy salmon spawning making for excellent swinging and skating opportunities.

Northern Region

McCloud River

October Caddis emergence and Blue Wing Olives are bringing early dry-fly opportunity to the McCloud, with spawning browns active in low-light hours.

Northern Region

Sacramento River

Sacramento River conditions are excellent across both upper and lower sections with strong October Caddis emergence and increasing salmon activity.

Northern Region

Trinity River

Trinity River steelhead are feeding aggressively on swung and skated flies, with salmon spawning activity adding to the excitement at stable winter flows.