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Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
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Guide ReportsAustin MoserNorthwest salmon updates, flashers, plugs, and bait programs.
Guide ReportsDavid JohnsonOregon salmon reports and changing river conditions.
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Salmon Gear Breakdown
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Kokanee Trolling Setup
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American River Fishing Report | January 2, 2026
Report by Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service and guides steelhead on Northern California rivers. What is working right now There are a lot of really nice steelhead in the American River to start 2026, including fish in the 8 to 10 pound range. The catch is high, muddy water, running about 8,000 cfs and looking like coffee with cream. A nightcrawler under a jet diver is the ticket, since American River fish love crawlers, especially when the water is off-color. What is biting on the American River right now?Steelhead, and there are a lot of really nice ones in the river. Jerry Lampkin saw fish in the 8 to 10 pound range hooked by nearby boats, plus many smaller hatchery fish that stuck around after release. Fly anglers were picking up five or six small ones on nymphs under floats. What are the American River conditions?High and muddy. The river is running about 8,000 cfs, more than a drift boat wants, and it looks like coffee with cream from turbidity coming down. Jerry is not sure where all the mud is coming from, since Nimbus does not usually push that much color into the system. What bait works on the American River now?A nightcrawler under a jet diver. Jerry normally pulls Hot Shots but always trails a nightcrawler, because American River fish really love crawlers, especially with the water as muddy as it is right now. That crawler produced one of the spawner steelhead this trip. These are not Catch America products. How is Folsom Lake looking?Filling fast. Jerry measured about 22,000 cfs coming in and only 8,000 cfs going out, so the lake is rising quickly. He is hoping the debris fields are not too bad and plans to get out there once the rain stops. Specific Folsom catch details were not specified in this report. What is the outlook for the American River?A lot of nice big fish are in the river, so once flows drop and clear from the current 8,000 cfs, conditions should improve for drift-boat anglers. Jerry is doing reel and gear maintenance while waiting out the rain. Exact water temperatures were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Jerry Lampkin): There's a lot of really, really nice steelhead in the river. The river's running about 8,000 cubic feet a second right now, and the river looks really dark, like coffee with cream in it. We caught him on a nightcrawler under a jet diver. The American River fish really, really love nightcrawlers, especially with the water as muddy as it was right now. American River January 2, 2026 FAQ Are there steelhead in the American River now?Yes, a lot of really nice ones, including fish in the 8 to 10 pound range. What are the American River flows?About 8,000 cfs, high and muddy, looking like coffee with cream. What bait works for American River steelhead?A nightcrawler under a jet diver, which the fish love in off-color water. Is Folsom Lake filling up?Yes, about 22,000 cfs in and only 8,000 cfs out, so it is rising quickly. How are fly anglers doing on the American?Picking up five or six small hatchery fish on nymphs fished under a float. What is the American River water temperature?Specific water temperatures were not specified in this report. Shop the Tackle Shop Trout & Steelhead Gear Shop Trout & Steelhead Gear
Learn moreAmerican River Fishing Report | October 2025
Report by Capt. Jerry Lampkin Jerry Lampkin runs TNG Guide Service on the American River and Folsom Lake and reports for Catch America. What is working right now 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 From the report (Capt. Jerry Lampkin): The American is providing some nice Kings. We managed one really nice 12-14 lb King on a K16 Kwikfish backtrolled. We were primarily backtrolling K16 Kwikfish in all the standard colors with a sardine wrap. The fish we're getting have all been males right now, but I'm sure the ladies will show up with this next rainstorm. American River October 2025 FAQ What is the best technique for American River kings?Backtrolling K16 Kwikfish in standard colors with a sardine wrap. How big are the American River salmon?Nice fish in the 12 to 14 pound range, mostly males so far. What are bank anglers using on the American River?Flying C and Blue Fox spinners have been producing from the bank. When does the American River king season close?October 31, after which anglers switch to steelhead plugs. When will female salmon show up?Jerry expects females to arrive with the next rainstorm. Why is the guide fishing the American instead of Folsom?Folsom boats are held out by a golden mussel closure until mid-November. Shop the Tackle Shop Salmon Tackle Shop Salmon Gear
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