California
American River at Fair Oaks
Location Snapshot
American River at Fair Oaks is a lower American River fishery in the Nimbus-to-Fair Oaks corridor, distinct from Folsom Lake, the North Fork, and the Sacramento mainstem. Chinook salmon and striped bass are the principal supported targets, giving this Sacramento-area reach a mixed anadromous and warmwater-predator identity.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Thursday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Dawn low light is favorable.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1440 CFS
- Gage Height
- 6.3 ft
- Water Temperature
- 62.6 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 1:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 11446500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
65°F
Feels like
61°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 6:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 57°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 3 AM
Overcast
Temp 55°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 55°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 74°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 50°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Rain
High 74°F / Low 55°F
Chance 30%
Precip 0.15 in
Max gust 22 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Drizzle
High 66°F / Low 57°F
Chance 58%
Precip 0.12 in
Max gust 17 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 55°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Chinook salmon and striped bass are in the mixed fishery on the American River at Fair Oaks, a tailwater.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at American River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Sacramento, California
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Sacramento
Management Category
Mixed anadromous / freshwater river
Regulation Scope
American River at Fair Oaks freshwater gauge reach.
Regulation Summary
California Department of Fish and Wildlife freshwater and anadromous regulations apply on the Lower American River. Confirm current seasons, gear, salmon/steelhead rules, and any in-river closures before fishing.
Target Species
Chinook Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Striped Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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