California
Hat Creek near Hat Creek
Current River Rating
Fair · 54
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Overcast or filtered daylight is favorable.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 114 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.18 ft
- Water Temperature
- 46.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 11355500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
49°F
Feels like
45°F
Wind
4 mph SE
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 4, 2026, 10:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.18 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 1 AM
Clear
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 5 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 9 AM
Overcast
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 1 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 5 PM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Sat 9 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 42°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 66°F / Low 44°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 23 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 43°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 7 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
USGS streamgage 11355500 (Hat Creek near Hat Creek). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. Existing Monitoring-Backed CDFW Wild Trout destination. Launch identity, USGS assignment, and temperature bands are unchanged. This is the named Hat Creek reach, not Fall River and not Pit River.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Hat Creek.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Hat Creek near Hat Creek is a CDFW Wild Trout public fishery. Existing Monitoring-Backed identity is preserved. Hatch Match has no California region class; Hatch coverage is an explicit research disposition.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CDFW HWTP survey states Hat Creek contains wild populations of brown trout within the Wild Trout designation.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
CDFW Heritage and Wild Trout Program survey states Hat Creek contains wild populations of rainbow trout; designated Wild Trout Water.
Fishery characteristics
Northern California spring-creek / wild-trout habitat at the named USGS reach.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing access exists on the designated Hat Creek Wild Trout Water. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage, not a parking pin.
Stocking information
Wild trout management. Confirm current CDFW special regulations.
Official sources
Verify current CDFW inland trout regulations before fishing.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
California
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
