Redding Named One of the Best Trout Fishing Towns in America by Field and Stream

There are plenty of spots to catch big fish throughout Northern California. From the streams of the North Coast to the fast-moving rivers of the Sierra Nevada, there’s no shortage of opportunities to land the catch of a lifetime in the northernmost sections of California.

But when it comes to dense fisheries all located in a small area, there’s no better place to catch fish in California than Redding. That’s why it’s no surprise that Field and Stream rated it as one of the best trout fishing towns in America.

In a recent article titled “Best Trout Fishing in the U.S. – Top 10 Towns,” Field & Stream bestowed this honor upon Redding. The city’s distinction arises from its proximity to a wealth of world-class trout waters, including the Sacramento River, Pit River, McCloud River, and pristine alpine lakes nestled in the Trinity Alps.

Notably, Redding stands out as the sole California town featured in the article, securing the commendable #5 position on this prestigious list. Here’s what they had to say about the city:

Redding is the Golden State’s only real trout town—and it’s a good one, situated close to several high-quality fisheries. The Lower Sacramento River runs through town, offering great float trips all year long. The Pit River offers nymphing for big fish, despite challenging wading conditions. Hat Creek is a spring creek known for its technical dry-fly fishing. Then, to the north, you have the Fall River and the famed McCloud River, which has steep banks and a lot of brush to get hung up on—and some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the Lower 48. That’s not to mention some of the area’s high-quality stillwater fisheries or the backcountry streams and alpine lakes in the Trinity Alps.

Not a bad description of the fishing mecca of California. Here are the cities joining Redding in this esteemed ranking:

1. Durango, Colorado
2. Carbondale, Colorado
3. Bozeman, Montana
4. Missoula, Montana
5. Redding, California
6. Roscoe, New York
7. Grayling, Michigan
8. Mountain Home, Arkansas
9. Reno, Nevada
10. Bend, Oregon

Want to know more about fishing in Redding? Check out 9 Fishing Spots in Redding.