Trinity River Fly Fishing Report
Lewiston, Trinity County, California · Last Updated: May 28, 2026
The Trinity River in Northern California is one of the West Coast's finest wild steelhead and salmon rivers. Below Lewiston Dam, the cold tailwater creates exceptional habitat for rainbow and brown trout, while the lower river hosts impressive fall steelhead runs.
Today's Fishability
Conditions at a Glance
The Trinity River near Lewiston is flowing at 897 cfs, 3% below average.
- Heavy rain likely
How Do You Fish a 8.3/10 Day?
See the fly patterns built for today's conditions, where the fish are holding, and how to work the 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM window. The full read takes 10 seconds to unlock.
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USGS Water Monitoring
Real-time data from 8 monitoring stations
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Trinity River Fly Fishing — FAQ
Is the Trinity River fishing well right now?
DriftWise scores the Trinity River every morning on a 0–10 fishability scale that weighs real-time USGS flow and water temperature, National Weather Service forecasts, and lunar data. Check the live fishability score and condition summary above for today's rating before you head out.
What is the current water flow on the Trinity River?
The Trinity River's flow is tracked by USGS streamflow gauges near Lewiston, Trinity County, California and refreshed daily in the condition summary above. Flow is reported in cubic feet per second (cfs) and compared against the seasonal average so you can see whether the river is running high, low, or normal.
What is a good water temperature for trout on the Trinity River?
Trout feed most actively when water temperatures sit roughly between 48°F and 62°F. DriftWise reads live Trinity River water temperature from USGS sensors near Lewiston, Trinity County, California — see the summary above for the current value.
When is the best time of day to fish the Trinity River?
The most productive windows shift with the season: cold months fish best around midday (10 AM–2 PM) once the water warms, while summer rewards early mornings and evenings. Each Trinity River report factors in the current season.
Do I need a fishing license to fly fish the Trinity River?
Yes. A valid California fishing license is required to fish the Trinity River. Check current California regulations for seasons, limits, and any special catch-and-release or fly-fishing-only sections before you go.
Is the DriftWise Trinity River fishing report free?
Yes. The daily Trinity River condition summary — flow, water temperature, weather, and fishability score — is free. A free account (3 reports per month) unlocks the full AI analysis with fly-pattern recommendations and a detailed hatch forecast.
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