California Fishing Reports ยท Shasta Region
The lower McCloud runs cold and clear through a deep canyon below McCloud Reservoir, with wild rainbows and browns in a classic pocket-water river.
Looking for the latest Lower McCloud River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Lower McCloud River.
Current flows
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Check nearby gauges on the California fishing reports page.
Wind forecast
Lower McCloud River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
There is no live gauge on this stretch. Fall releases are steady and the water is clear.
Nymph the pocket water with stonefly and small mayfly nymphs. Big browns move in the fall, so a streamer is worth carrying.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Lower McCloud, bring: Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-10, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Woolly Bugger #6-8, Parachute Adams #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lower McCloud River details
| Access | Ah-Di-Na campground and trails below McCloud Reservoir. Part of the river is a Nature Conservancy preserve with limited access. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 2,300 ft |
| Nearest town | McCloud, California |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Wild rainbow and brown trout |
| Regulations | Special catch-and-release rules apply on parts of the McCloud. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for the current rules. A California sport fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Ah-Di-Na campground (seasonal) |
| Kids | No. Rough road and slick, fast water. |
| Good to know | The dirt road to Ah-Di-Na is long and rough. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Snowy roads.
Spring
Runoff and caddis.
Summer
Caddis and mayflies.
Fall
Big browns and October caddis.
How to get there
From I-5 near Mount Shasta, take State Highway 89 east to McCloud, then forest roads to Ah-Di-Na.