McCloud River Fishing Report – Oct 18, 2026

Guides who fish the McCloud most say it's been one of its most consistent seasons in years. Big lake-run rainbows are still in the system, the browns are getting ready to spawn, and the first October Caddis are starting to show.

Current Conditions

Flows: About 255–260 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake.
Water temp: About 48–50°F at the same gauge. That's cold, clear, and low, so be stealthy.
Bugs: BWOs, midges, and small caddis in the evening. October Caddis are just starting, and fish usually take a couple of weeks to really key on them.

What's Working

Dry-dropper all day: A big foam dry with a small nymph under it, fished on shaded water, is getting eats.
Browns: Rubber-leg stones, big caddis pupae, and streamers through the shallower riffles where pre-spawn fish are setting up.
Lake-run rainbows: Woolly Buggers in olive or black, and other streamers.

Best Time of Day

Shaded water early, and the evening hatch window. On sunny midday stretches, work the deeper pocket water with nymphs.

Wading & Safety

The McCloud is slick, cold, and full of boulders. Wear studs, carry a wading staff, and don't push across the heavy pocket water.

Weather & What to Wear

Highs will be in the 50s to about 60, with lows in the mid 30s to low 40s. There's a chance of rain from Tuesday night through Thursday. Bring layers, gloves for the morning, and a rain shell.

Season & Regulations

November 15 is the last day to fish the Nature Conservancy's McCloud River Preserve. The Preserve's fishing season runs from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Fishing there is catch-and-release with a daily angler limit.
The public water above the Preserve stays open past November 15. Under the 2026 CDFW regs, McCloud Dam to Ladybug Creek has no November 15 closing date. Since October 1 it's barbless artificials, catch-and-release (0 trout). Ladybug Creek down to Shasta Lake is open all year under the same rules. Winter snow makes the canyon hard to reach, so for most of us mid-November is the practical end of the season.
Stay off the redds, and go midweek if you can, since weekends are getting busier. Check current CDFW regs before you go.

McCloud questions this week

Is the McCloud fishing well right now?

As of October 18, 2026: Guides who fish the McCloud most say it's been one of its most consistent seasons in years. Big lake-run rainbows are still in the system, the browns are getting ready to spawn, and the first October Caddis are starting to show.

What flies are working on the McCloud River right now?

As of October 18, 2026: Dry-dropper all day: A big foam dry with a small nymph under it, fished on shaded water, is getting eats. Browns: Rubber-leg stones, big caddis pupae, and streamers through the shallower riffles where pre-spawn fish are setting up. Lake-run rainbows: Woolly Buggers in olive or black, and other streamers.

What are the McCloud River flows right now?

As of October 18, 2026: About 255–260 CFS at the gauge above Shasta Lake. Water temperature: About 48–50°F at the same gauge. That's cold, clear, and low, so be stealthy. Gauge readings are provisional; see the sources listed in the report.

McCloud River Fishing Report – Cold Water, Pre-Spawn Browns, First October Caddis

Current conditions in brief