The Upper Sacramento River is a freestone river in California.
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow. 8 guides nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Redding & the Lower Sacramento.
The upper Sacramento River at Castle Crags State Park. Photo: Nathan Jongewaard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Upper Sacramento River is a freestone river in California. Our destination hub Redding & the Lower Sacramento is 24 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters. The Sacramento above Shasta Lake, from Dunsmuir down to the lake.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Upper Sacramento River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Upper Sacramento River with 1 USGS gauge, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Upper Sacramento River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
Map of 2 restrooms near Upper Sacramento River
Skip the map; every place is in the list belowMap of 2 restrooms near Upper Sacramento River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.
At a highway rest area
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Wild Trout WaterThe McCloud River just below Middle Falls. Photo: Sergey Yarmolyuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
California · about 22 mi
Steelhead / salmon waterThe Sacramento River in Redding, California. Photo: RoyalMayfair, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Steelhead / salmon waterThe Trinity Wild and Scenic River below Lewiston, California (BLM). Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Shasta LakeEagle Lake, Lassen County, California, with dry Horse Lake in the foreground (aerial). Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Shasta Lake.
California · about 13 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Spring CreekPit River Falls near Fall River Mills, California. Photo: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Spring Creek.
California · about 19 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Bear CreekUpper Hat Creek below Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo: NPS / Lassen Volcanic National Park, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Bear Creek.
California · about 32 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Quoted word for word from the agency page on the date shown. Many quotes name the reach they cover and apply only to that part of the water. Rules change; the linked page is the authority.
“Sacramento River and tributaries excluding Soda Creek from Scarlett Way bridge downstream to the county bridge at Sweetbriar (See Soda Creek 7.50(b)(180.5))... [Open Season] Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15.”
USDA Forest Service · read 2026-10-14
“Sacramento River mainstem (excluding all tributaries) from the Scarlett Way bridge downstream to the county bridge at Sweetbriar... [Open Season] Nov. 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in Apr.”
USDA Forest Service · read 2026-10-14
“Sacramento River and tributaries excluding Castle Creek from the county bridge at Sweetbriar downstream to Shasta Lake (See Castle Creek 7.50(b)(39.3))... [Open Season] Last Saturday in Apr. through Nov. 15.”
USDA Forest Service · read 2026-10-14
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
4 guides name it on their website
Redding, CA · 24 mi
Walk-and-wade · Drift boat · Sacramento & McCloud
Names this water
Redding, CA · 27 mi
Wade trips · Spey & two-handed · Sacramento & McCloud
Names this water
Redding, CA · 29 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Sacramento & Trinity
Names this water
Cottonwood, CA · 38 mi
Beginners & lessons · Lodge packages · Sacramento & Pit
Names this water
Redding, CA · 21 mi
Drift boat · Sacramento & Lower Sacramento
Nearby
Lewiston, CA · 29 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Sacramento & Trinity
Nearby
No shop nearby yet.
What 7 nearby guide websites mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 7 nearby guide websites
12 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From California Fly Fisher (secondary sources: an angling organisation or magazine, not an agency).
American grannom (April to September) · Golden stonefly (May to July) · Green drake (May to July) · Pale morning dun (May to August) · Saddle-case caddis (May to September) · Salmonfly (May to June) · and 6 more on the chart
Redding sits on the Sacramento River below Shasta and Keswick dams in far northern California, with the Trinity, Pit, McCloud and Upper Sacramento rivers and Hat Creek in the mountains around it.
Destination hub · 24 mi away in a straight line
What to bring on a guided float fishing trip: rain gear, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, a dry bag and your license. Most guides supply rods and flies. Estimated prices and where to buy.
Usually supplied by the guide; a 9′ 5–6 weight if you bring your own · Trout on most western float rivers
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Upper Sacramento River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge SACRAMENTO R A DELTA CA. Water type is our own classification.
Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here
No water temperature here.
At SACRAMENTO R A DELTA CA (USGS 11342000) Provisional USGS data
USGS 11342000 · NWS DLTC1
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 3:30 PM PST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 4:30 PM PDT to Nov 5, 3:30 PM PST; ranging 207 to 230 ft³/s; latest 220 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM PST | 230 | 3.91 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM PST | 226 | 3.9 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM PST | 223 | 3.89 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM PST | 220 | 3.88 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM PST | 217 | 3.87 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM PST | 210 | 3.85 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM PST | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM PDT | 213 | 3.86 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM PDT | 207 | 3.84 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM PDT | 207 | 3.84 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 8:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 7:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 6:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 5:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
| Oct 29, 4:30 PM PDT | 210 | 3.85 |
Normal for Nov 5: 222–375 ft³/s (middle half of 82 years of record). Now: 220 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 220 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 82 years of record (1945–2026): 10th 199, 25th 222, median 264, 75th 375, 90th 625 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 163 ft³/s, highest 1,890 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−1.3% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
NWS observed 3.88 ft stage, 220 ft³/s at Nov 5, 3:30 PM PST (NWS gauge DLTC1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 12:36 PM PST. Highest point: 3.88 ft, 220 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM PST.
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 3.88 ft | 220 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3.87 ft | 217 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 3.87 ft | 217 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 3.86 ft | 213 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 3.85 ft | 210 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 3.85 ft | 210 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines CDFW uses are 67°F.
This gauge is on our page for Upper Sacramento River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 3:59 PM PST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Wild Trout WaterThe McCloud River just below Middle Falls. Photo: Sergey Yarmolyuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
California · about 22 mi
Steelhead / salmon waterThe Sacramento River in Redding, California. Photo: RoyalMayfair, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
California · about 23 mi
Rainbow trout, steelhead & chinook salmon
5,160cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Running well nowThe Trinity Wild and Scenic River below Lewiston, California (BLM). Photo: Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
California · about 25 mi
Brown trout, steelhead & chinook salmon
310cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Shasta LakeEagle Lake, Lassen County, California, with dry Horse Lake in the foreground (aerial). Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Shasta Lake.
California · about 13 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Spring CreekPit River Falls near Fall River Mills, California. Photo: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Spring Creek.
California · about 19 mi
Wild Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Bear CreekUpper Hat Creek below Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo: NPS / Lassen Volcanic National Park, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Bear Creek.
California · about 32 mi
Lakehead, California
River cabins · 5.8 mi
