Hat Creek Fishing Forecast
3.2-mile wild trout section with technical spring creek fishing and excellent hatches
Opens Last Sat in Apr
Wild Trout section (Powerhouse 2 to Lake Britton): open year-round, C&R barbless flies/lures only
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Real-time conditions, AI fly recommendations, and hatch predictions for the Hat Creek.
Check Conditions NowQuick Facts
Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout
spring creek
36°F - 45°F
March Fishing Tactics
Primary Targets
Recommended Tactics
Early hatches begin. Look for BWOs.
March Hatches
PMD
Mayfly
EXTENDED PMD season February-June. Morning emergence. Multiple hatches in May-June.
BWO
Mayfly
Spring and fall BWO. Overcast prime. Wild Trout Section technical.
Midge
Midge
Year-round spring creek midges. Carbon Flats.
Year-Round Fishing Guide
| Month | Water Temp | Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32-38°F | Deep nymphing, Midges, Streamers |
| February | 33-40°F | Midges, Small nymphs, Deep pools |
| March(Now) | 36-45°F | BWO dries, Streamers, Early stonefly nymphs |
| April | 40-50°F | Skwala dries, BWO patterns, Streamers |
| May | 45-55°F | Mother's Day Caddis, Nymphing, Streamers |
| June | 50-60°F | Salmonfly dries, Golden Stones, PMDs |
| July | 55-68°F | PMDs, Hoppers, Caddis, Attractor dries |
| August | 55-70°F | Hoppers, Tricos, PMDs, Terrestrials |
| September | 48-58°F | BWOs, Streamers, Hoppers |
| October | 40-50°F | Streamers, BWOs, Egg patterns |
| November | 35-42°F | Streamers, Deep nymphs, Egg patterns |
| December | 32-38°F | Deep nymphs, Midges, Slow presentations |
Spawning Seasons
Please respect spawning fish and their redds. Avoid fishing over actively spawning trout.
Brown Trout
Spawn months: October, November
Night spawning common. Males become very dark with pronounced kype during spawn.
Rainbow Trout
Spawn months: March, April
Resident rainbow trout spawn in smaller tributaries and tend to build smaller redds than steelhead.
Access Points & Parking for Hat Creek
Powerhouse 2
Start of the Wild Trout section. Technical fishing begins here.
Carbon Bridge
Mid-section access to productive water.
Rising River Access
Access near the confluence with Rising River.
Baum Lake
Lake access for still water fishing.
How to Fish Hat Creek: Tips & Tactics
Hat Creek's Wild Trout section is one of California's most technical spring creeks. Large rainbow and brown trout thrive in gin-clear water, demanding precise presentations.
Best Times of Day
Morning Trico hatches from July through September are the highlight. PMD hatches occur midday in early summer. Evening caddis activity can bring fish up.
Recommended Techniques
Sight fishing to specific trout is essential. Use 6X-7X tippet and long leaders. Wade carefully to avoid spooking fish. Dead-drift presentations with perfect drag-free drifts.
Water Conditions
Crystal-clear spring water demands stealth. Stable flows from spring sources. Weed beds provide cover and food for trout. Best fishing during stable weather.
Fly Selection
Trico patterns in sizes 20-24 are essential. PMD and BWO patterns for mayfly hatches. Pale Evening Dun for summer evenings. Terrestrials work during warmer months.
Local Knowledge
The Wild Trout section is what made Hat Creek famous. Fish are educated and selective. Spend time observing before casting. Burney Falls State Park is nearby.
Local Tips
Burney and Fall River Mills are the nearest towns. Burney Falls State Park is a must-see attraction. The Wild Trout section is what brings anglers here.
When is the Best Time to Fish Hat Creek?
Spring
PMD and BWO hatches begin. Fish become active as temperatures warm.
Summer
Prime season with Trico hatches. Fish early morning for best action.
Fall
Excellent fishing with fewer anglers. Brown trout become more active.
Winter
Challenging but fishable. Midge fishing during warmer days.
Recommended Equipment for Hat Creek
Rod
8.5 to 9-foot, 3 or 4-weight for technical presentations.
Line
Floating line with long, light leaders.
Leader & Tippet
12-15 foot leaders, 6X-7X tippet.
Waders
Breathable waders. Careful wading to protect the resource.
Essential Flies
Hat Creek Fishing Regulations
Season
Wild Trout section has specific season dates. Check California DFW.
Limits
Catch-and-release in Wild Trout section. Artificial flies only.
Special Regulations
Wild Trout section has strict regulations. No bait, barbless hooks.
Bait Restrictions
Prohibited in Wild Trout section.
Notes
Wild Trout section is the premier fishing. Other sections have different regulations.
Always verify current regulations with California fish and wildlife agency before fishing. Regulations can change annually.
Fly Shops & Guides Near Hat Creek
Local Fly Shops
- The Fly Shop - Redding
- Shasta Angler - Dunsmuir
- Hat Creek Fly Shop
Guide Services
- Hat Creek Guides
- The Fly Shop Guide Service
- Shasta Trout Guides
Optimal Fishing Conditions
Optimal Flow
200 - 350 CFS
Best fishing conditions
Optimal Water Temperature
54° - 64°F
Ideal for active trout
Other California Trout Rivers
Sacramento (Upper)
Pit
Truckee
Walker
Owens
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