Deer Creek

Fishing Deer Creek

Deer Creek starts on the southern slopes of Lassen Volcanic National Park and runs for nearly 60 miles to the Sacramento River. On the way it drops through a steep volcanic canyon and then crosses the valley floor. CDFW counts it as one of only three Central Valley streams that still hold an independent, wild run of spring-run Chinook salmon. That run is listed as threatened under both state and federal law. The creek also gets fall-run Chinook and steelhead, and trout spawn and rear here too. Adult spring-run Chinook come in from late February through early July. They hurry through the lower creek to reach cold pools upstream, wait there through the summer, and spawn from late September to mid-October. Because of that, fish gently and avoid disturbing holding pools or redds. Read the current CDFW regulations before you go, since salmon and steelhead are protected here. In dry years, farm diversions in the lowest 10 miles cut flows and warm the water, which stresses fish. The upper canyon reaches usually hold the most suitable trout water in summer. CDFW and federal partners have built a fish ladder at Lower Deer Creek Falls and studied flows and water temperature so salmon and steelhead can reach more spawning habitat.