Avonture

Fishing Guides in California

California has 422+ fishing guides operating on 49 rivers and waters including the Trinity River, Klamath River, Lower Sacramento River, Pit River targeting trout, bass, steelhead, salmon, and more. Compare services, rivers, and contact information to find the right guide for your trip.

View top fishing guides in California →

Species in California

Trout (348)Bass (237)Steelhead (233)Salmon (205)Bass, Striped (189)Shad (125)Perch (113)Catfish (103)Waterfowl (90)Deer (87)Turkey (81)Dove (76)Quail (76)Wild Pig (72)Sturgeon (62)Bear (59)Varmint (59)Elk (52)Rockfish (51)Pheasant (50)Antelope (35)Bobcat (22)Sheep, Bighorn (22)Striped Bass (14)Rainbow Trout (9)Brown Trout (9)Largemouth Bass (8)Smallmouth Bass (7)Halibut (6)Brook Trout (4)Mako Sharks (3)Skipjack (2)Dorado (2)Bonito (2)Yellowtail (2)Largemouth (2)Smallmouth and Spotted Bass (2)Surf Perch (2)Carp (2)Croaker (2)Barracuda (2)Corbina (2)Lake Trout (2)Chinook Salmon (2)

Rivers & Waters

Trinity River (26)Klamath River (18)Lower Sacramento River (18)Pit River (15)Upper Sacramento River (13)McCloud River (13)Truckee River (12)Hat Creek (11)Feather River (11)Yuba River (11)Sacramento River (10)Fall River (10)American River (9)Putah Creek (6)Lake Almanor (5)Smith River (4)Crowley Lake (4)Sacramento Delta (4)Yosemite National Park (4)Burney Creek (3)San Diego Bay (3)Pyramid Lake (3)California Delta (3)Eel River (3)Southern California Coast (3)East Walker River (3)Hot Creek (3)Lower Owens River (3)Little Truckee River (3)Lower Yuba River (2)Pleasant Valley Fly Fishing Preserve (2)Rogue River (2)Local Streams (2)Merced River (2)Lake Shasta (2)Lewiston Lake (2)Butte Creek (2)Frenchman Lake (2)Lake Davis (2)Stampede Reservoir (2)San Joaquin River (2)Upper Owens River (2)West Walker River (2)San Francisco Bay (2)Davis Lake (2)Eagle Lake (2)Local Lakes (2)Owens River (2)Private Lakes (2)

422 fishing guides in California

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many fishing guides are in California?+

Avonture lists 422+ fishing guides and outfitters operating across California, including 28 outfitters and 4 fly shops.

What are the best fishing rivers in California?+

California's top fishing rivers include the Trinity River, Klamath River, Lower Sacramento River, Pit River, Upper Sacramento River, McCloud River, and Truckee River. The Trinity River alone has 26 guides listed on Avonture.

What fish species can you target in California?+

California fishing guides target trout, bass, steelhead, salmon, bass, striped, and shad. Trout is the most popular, with 348 guides offering trips.

Do I need a guide to fish in California?+

While not required, a local fishing guide provides knowledge of hatches, access points, and river conditions that significantly improves your experience, especially on unfamiliar water.

When is the best time to fish in California?+

Most California fishing guides operate from spring through fall, with peak conditions varying by river and species. Contact individual guides for the best timing on specific waters.

Are there fly shops in California?+

Yes, Avonture lists 4 fly shops across California that offer gear, flies, local intel, and guided trips.

How do I choose a fishing guide in California?+

Consider which rivers or species you want to target, then compare guides on Avonture by their services, waters fished, and contact information. Guides with more complete profiles tend to be more established operations.

Can I find fly fishing guides in California?+

Yes, many of California's 422 listed guides specialize in fly fishing, particularly on the Trinity River, Klamath River, Lower Sacramento River.

Other States

Montana (382)Colorado (263)Idaho (117)Wyoming (105)New Mexico (93)Utah (37)