Mad River

Mad River, in California, United States, is a river where current dictates almost everything. Rocks, undercut banks, and fallen timber are the obvious targets, but the productive water at Mad River is often the seam between two current speeds — that's where fish wait for food to drift past. Match the size of your bait or lure to whatever insects, baitfish, or crayfish you can see in the water.

Location

40.5510, -123.6409 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

SteelheadRainbow troutCutthroat troutLargemouth bassCoastal cutthroat troutChinook salmon

Fishing Techniques

• For Steelhead

  Adjust your presentation based on water clarity and current speed; lighter line and smaller lures are often more effective in clear, slow-moving water.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Cutthroat trout

  When fishing streams, cast upstream and retrieve with the current to mimic natural drift, increasing your chances of hooking wary cutthroat trout.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Mad River.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Mad River should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for California before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Mad River.

Nearby Spots in California

See all fishing spots in California →

Other Fishing Regions in United States