Redding, CA Fishing: Legendary Northern California Fishing Destination

Not as well known as Lake Tahoe or the Bay Area but just as beautiful, Redding is one of Northern California’s most naturally gifted spots that many travelers to California overlook. Sitting on the area once known as Poverty Flats during the Gold Rush era, Redding is a relatively small city that’s rich with sights to offer nature lovers who long to veer off the beaten path.

Redding is Shasta County’s county seat, located north of Sacramento and lying along the Sacramento River. It is surrounded by mountains and rich farmland and has quite a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with the rare occurrence of snow. It is the second sunniest city in the country, with an average of 88% sunshine in a year. 

Visitors coming to Redding should know that the city rewards those that love the great outdoors. It is not a destination for those who are afraid to get down and dirty in nature. But if you’re ready to immerse in the outdoor adventure of a lifetime, then you’ve come to the right place. Redding has plenty of hiking and biking trails, plus national parks waiting to be explored. With the Sacramento River running right through the city, you can have your pick of water sports: kayaking, paddling, water skiing, swimming, and sailing. 

And yes, Redding is a great fishing destination, with Forbes even naming it as one of the top 10 fishing destinations in North America, the only West Coast city to be included in the list. With fantastic climate all year round and sun for more than 300 days a year, there’s almost a guarantee that your fishing trip to Redding will always be fruitful all year round.

Redding Fishing

Redding may be miles away from the Pacific Ocean, but with the healthy Sacramento River running through it, its amazing climate, and the rich vegetation its porous landscape is able to support, the waters around the area are the ideal habitat for many species popular among anglers.

Ready to fish Redding’s waterways? The best place to start with is the Sacramento River, which local anglers like to divide into two. The Lower Sacramento River is the one running right at the heart of the city. What makes it an amazing fishing destination all year round is that its water temperature is controlled by the Shasta Dam. That’s why you’ll always find shad, rainbow trout, steelhead, and salmon on this side of the river. The average size of rainbow trout here is around 16 inches, but it won’t be a surprise to find them in sizes ranging up to 20 inches. Striped bass, both resident and migratory, can be found in the lower river as well, along with largemouth and smallmouth bass.

The other half of the Sacramento River is a little wilder compared to the lower part. It is situated between the Shasta Dam and Siskiyou Lake and is characterized by an abundance of runs, pocket water, small holes, pools, and undercuts. These diverse features make it a great spot for fly anglers to try a variety of dry flies and nymphing techniques. It is yet another great rainbow trout fishery. The trout here are known to be quite healthy and full of fight.

Another river system divided into two for easy navigation is the McCloud River. It has clean cool waters that stream down from the Cascades. Historically, its tributary was the first federal fish hatchery in the country. That meant many of the eggs and juvenile trout that were grown in the hatchery were used to stock other hatcheries in the US and beyond. Today, it is still one of the best waterways to fish for trout. At the Upper McCloud River, you can catch plenty of trout, though they may not be in the trophy size. At the Lower McCloud River, anglers can fish three miles of public access fishing. Because the best tranquil fishing can be found in the Middle Falls, this area is best for anglers who can hike downhill.

For anglers who wish to target chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead, the Trinity River should be your water body of choice. The longest tributary of the Klamath River located on Highway 299 west of Redding, this designated National Wild and Scenic River is home to legendary salmon and steelhead runs. It has a Fly Fishing Only Section that’s located 200 feet below Lewiston Dam to the Old Lewiston Bridge and is open from April 1 to September 15. 

Hat Creek is yet another fly fishing water that’s considered one of the best in the state. It is a tributary of the Pit River and one of the longest spring creeks in California. Upstream from Lake Britton, 3.5 miles of the creek is considered part of the Wild Trout Waters program of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, so you can expect plenty of wild and large rainbow trout and brown trout in its waters.
 

Top 10 Fish Species in Redding, CA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Redding, CA are rainbow trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, striped bass, shad, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, and channel catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Because of its fantastic climate, Redding is a great year-round fishing destination. Many water bodies will have fish biting all year round, particularly those that are temperature-controlled by dams. The months of May to November are peak fishing months for trout. Steelhead runs, particularly those in Trinity River, tend to be legendary around fall and winter, while the much-talked-about chinook and coho salmon runs in this particular river happen just between late spring and early to mid-fall.
 

Discover What Makes Redding Northern California’s Best-Kept Secret

Redding still feels like a well-kept secret among Californians, which means you can enjoy it without the crowds and the big expense. There’s plenty to enjoy in this city for the whole family if you just give it a chance. History buffs, culture vultures, and nature lovers are in for a treat in Redding.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Redding is one of the top fishing destinations in Northern California, and here you’ll find some of the best local guides who can bring you to the city’s best spots.

2. Fall in Love with Nature in One of Redding’s Parks

Redding is a natural wonderland, so visiting one of the city’s great parks is a must if you’re in the area. Bring your family to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, where you can visit a museum, a nature center where you can interact with live animals, and a zoo. If you want something a little on the wilder side of things, then perhaps camping and hiking at the Whiskeytown Lake National Park should be on your to-do list. If you want to see just how glorious nature can be up close, then take a short cruise across Shasta Lake and view the Lake Shasta Caverns.

3. Get Glimpses of Redding’s History

Walking around Redding can sometimes feel like a history lesson. Just walk down Market St. and you’ll find the beautifully restored art deco Cascade Theater and the Old City Hall Arts Center with its original red brick exterior. Venture west from downtown and you’ll find the Shasta State Historic Park, where you can view the Shasta Ghost Town, remnants of Gold Rush-era buildings from the 1800s.

4. Kayak Your Heart Out

Kayaking in Redding has become a sort of local obsession that you should definitely partake in if you’re in the city. It’s easy to see why. Redding has several amazingly calm waters and is surrounded 360-degrees with top-notch views. And because kayaking and all things paddling are a common pastime here, you don’t have to bring your own gear - just your own personal flotation device (as per safety regulations), sunscreen, and sustenance. Kayak gear can easily be rented, whether you’re in Sacramento River, Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, Kutras Pond, or Manzanita Lake.