The American River in California offers anglers a diverse fishing experience as it winds through suburban and wild settings. This 30-mile main stem, sometimes referred to as the Lower American River, flows through Sacramento's urban landscape before joining the Sacramento River and ultimately reaching the Pacific through the California Delta. Upstream, the river divides into three principal forks – South, Middle, and North – each with distinct characteristics ranging from placid fly-fishing waters to challenging rapids. The American River system provides year-round fishing opportunities with multiple personalities, from the urban lower sections popular for salmon and steelhead runs to the more traditional fly-fishing waters of the higher forks that host wild rainbow and brown trout.