American River Fishing Report | October 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Backtroll K16 Kwikfish in standard colors with a sardine wrap for the boat; bank anglers throw Flying C and Blue Fox spinners.
Lures and baits
K16 Kwikfish in standard colors with a sardine wrap for backtrolling.
Flying C and Blue Fox spinners for bank anglers.
These are outside brands, not Catch America products.
Best time
First light, before the sun hits the water.
Advice for this week
Get on the fish early. The best action came first thing in the morning before the sun hit the water, and once the sun was up the fish moved off. Watch for the next rainstorm to bring in the female fish.
What is changing
The fall kings are starting to show a little color but are still cutting up nicely with red meat. An early-week bite was slow, then a mid-week push of fish moved through. Catches have been mostly males so far.
Next week
Kings season on the American runs through October 31, then Jerry switches to steelhead plugs for the rest of the year. The Folsom Lake boat returns in mid-November once the golden mussel closure lifts. Expect more fish, including females, after the next rain.
Notable catch
King salmon in the 12 to 14 pound class, all males so far.
Fall kings are moving through the American River, with a solid mid-week push producing 12 to 14 pound fish that still cut up with nice red meat. Backtroll K16 Kwikfish in standard colors with a sardine wrap. Bank anglers are scoring on Flying C and Blue Fox spinners. Mostly males so far, with females expected after the next rainstorm.
What is biting on the American River right now?
Fall king salmon. Guide Jerry Lampkin of TNG Guide Service is fishing the American in a drift boat while the big boat sits out Folsom's mussel closure. The kings are showing a little color but still cut up nicely with red meat, and they have all been males so far.
What technique is working for American River kings?
Backtrolling K16 Kwikfish in all the standard colors with a sardine wrap. Jerry landed nice 12 to 14 pound kings this way. These are not Catch America products, so we name them without a shop link. Bank anglers are doing well on Flying C and Blue Fox spinners.
When is the bite best on the American River?
A nice push of fish moved through mid-week, on Thursday, after a slow Tuesday start. On Friday the push moved up as soon as the sun hit the water, so early morning before the fish move off has been the productive window.
When will more American River salmon arrive?
So far the fish have all been males. Jerry expects the females to show up with the next rainstorm moving through, which should add fresh fish to the river and improve the action.
What is the outlook for the American River and Folsom?
Kings can be fished on the American until the season closes October 31, after which Jerry switches to steelhead plugs for the rest of the year. The big boat returns to Folsom Lake in mid-November once the mussel closure lifts. Exact depths were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
American River October 2025 FAQ
Backtrolling K16 Kwikfish in standard colors with a sardine wrap.
Nice fish in the 12 to 14 pound range, mostly males so far.
Flying C and Blue Fox spinners have been producing from the bank.
October 31, after which anglers switch to steelhead plugs.
Jerry expects females to arrive with the next rainstorm.
Folsom boats are held out by a golden mussel closure until mid-November.
