Fishing Seasons of the Feather River

The Feather River is open year-round to fishing most years, but the timing of the steelhead runs mean that certain times of year will be more productive than others.
October and November

We target steelhead in the Feather River mainly in October and November, when the steelhead are stacking up in the riffles and redds below the spawning salmon. The bulk of the Feather River’s hatchery run of steelhead and salmon are in the upper miles of the river below Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam by this time of year, making for great opportunities to hook multiple powerful steelhead each day.

December and January

By December most of the Feather River’s hatchery steelhead have moved into the hatchery. That, combined with the potential for winter storms to blow the river out, make the winter months a tough time to consistently find fish on the Feather.

February, March, and April

There can be brief windows in the spring (March/April) when steelhead fishing can be productive as well, based on weather and water conditions. The fishing can be unpredictable this time of year as it is predicated entirely on water and weather conditions, so we don’t guide the Feather much in the winter and spring. It can, however, be an option for Do-It-Yourself anglers when conditions allow.