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Fishing American River (Lower): what the data says
Nimbus Dam through Sacramento. steelhead, fall kings and spring stripers in town. The river tops out around 12 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Steelhead fishing at American River (Lower)
Start shallow in spring: steelhead sit in 2 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 1 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 11.9), a current seam in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for steelhead in summer. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A orange dodger + fly high in the column or a thin spoon off boards covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon or spinner at the mouths, Jig + waxworm under float |
| Summer | 1 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Orange dodger + fly high in the column, Thin spoon off boards |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinner (silver/blue), Casting spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 12 ft | midday | Float jig (black/purple), Bead rig |
Chinook Salmon fishing at American River (Lower)
Spring chinook salmon on American River (Lower) hold shallow, usually 2 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Nimbus Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 10 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a flasher + fly (green/white) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Trolled spoon (orange/gold), Stickbait off planer boards |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Flasher + fly (green/white), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | J-plug (glow), Flasher + fly |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Small spoon on a slow troll, Stickbait deep |
Striped Bass fishing at American River (Lower)
In spring, striped bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 12 ft. Nimbus Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 10 ft, rated prime for spring striped bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a flutter spoon (deep) or a umbrella rig (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail jig + trailer, Walking topwater (dawn) |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Flutter spoon (deep), Umbrella rig (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Topwater walker, Jerkbait |
| Winter | 4 to 12 ft | midday | Alabama rig (slow), Flutter spoon |
Notable structure
- Nimbus Basin: creek channel, around 10 ft
- Nimbus Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.2): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.1): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.5): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.7): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.4): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.6): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Current seam (mile 11.9): current seam, around 7 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 13.7): rock pile, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 16.2): rock pile, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is American River (Lower)?
American River (Lower) is about 12 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in American River (Lower)?
Anglers target striped bass, chinook salmon, steelhead on American River (Lower).
Where is the best fishing spot on American River (Lower)?
Current seam (mile 11.9) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for steelhead in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish American River (Lower)?
For steelhead, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Folsom Lake · Franks Tract · Big Break · Clifton Court Forebay · Suisun Bay · Bethany Reservoir
See how American River (Lower) stacks up: best striped bass lakes in California
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