Sacramento River

Boat Ramps: 53
Access Points: 92
Species: 28

The Sacramento River, California's longest and largest river system, flows 400 miles from Mount Shasta through the Central Valley before emptying into the San Francisco Bay. Known as the Nile of the West, this versatile watercourse offers some of Northern California's most productive fishing opportunities. The river changes dramatically as it carves its way southward - from crystal clear, cold mountain streams in the upper reaches to the warmer, broader flows in the valley and delta regions. This diversity creates ideal habitats for numerous game fish species and provides year-round fishing potential for anglers of all skill levels. With breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and incredible fishing, the Sacramento River stands as a premier freshwater fishery deserving its reputation nationwide.

California licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Sacramento River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Alabama Bass

Micropterus henshalli

American Shad

Alosa sapidissima

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Chum Salmon

Oncorhynchus keta

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Pink Salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Redeye Bass

Micropterus coosae

Sacramento Perch

Archoplites interruptus

Sacramento Pikeminnow

Ptychocheilus grandis

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Steelhead

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Catfish

Ameiurus catus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

TroutWeek of Sep 13, 2026
TroutWeek of Sep 13, 2026
TroutWeek of Aug 23, 2026
TroutWeek of Aug 23, 2026
TroutWeek of Aug 16, 2026

Source

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Sacramento River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Sacramento River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

California licenses and regulations

California Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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California Fishing License Online

In California, anyone under the age of 16 or above is required to get a sport fishing license to take any fish; shell fish, reptile or amphibian in the state.

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California Freshwater Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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California Stream Access Laws

The courts have described the reach of the California public right of navigation as “the right to navigate and to exercise the incidents of navigation in a lawful manner at any point below high water mark” on waters that satisfy California’s small craft test. Thus, property owners cannot interfere with the public’s right to navigate or use shoreline areas below the ordinary high water mark for incidents of navigation. In fact, unauthorized obstruction of the public’s right to access and use a navigable waterway constitutes a public nuisance.

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Take Sacramento River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Sacramento River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Sacramento River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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