Sonoma County, CA · Inland River
Russian River (Guerneville)
The Sonoma County river that drains the wine country to the Pacific — historically a major steelhead and salmon run, now a barbless, conservation-focused fishery. Winter steelhead are the draw; chinook and coho are protected. Live USGS flow and temperature near Guerneville.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Steelhead, Chinook Salmon & Coho Salmon — tied at the top (44/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Russian River (Guerneville).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Russian River (Guerneville)
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Steelhead Marginal conditions for Steelhead. In season 44/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above steelhead's active range (40–55°f) — fish move deep
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — Lake- or sea-run rainbow trout — chrome-bright fighters that ascend tributaries from fall through spring. The Great Lakes tributary steelhead run (Lake Erie’s “steelhead alley,” Lake Ontario, Michigan rivers) is a destination fishery; bite keys on flow and water clarity.
Prefers. Water 40–55°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 2–60 ft.
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 2
California: Hatchery fish only (adipose fin clipped); wild (intact-fin) steelhead must be released. 2 hatchery steelhead/day where open (e.g. Smith River). A Steelhead Report Card is required, and many North Coast rivers are barbless / seasonal.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Chinook Salmon Marginal conditions for Chinook Salmon. In season 44/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above chinook salmon's active range (42–58°f) — fish move deep
About. Oncorhynchus tshawytscha — The “king” — the largest Pacific salmon and the marquee stocked predator of the Great Lakes. Trolled over open water through summer, then staged off river mouths and run up tributaries on the fall spawning push. Flow and water temperature drive the river bite.
Prefers. Water 42–58°F (ideal 50°F) · either tide · depth 15–150 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
California North Coast: chinook seasons are quota-managed and frequently closed — the Russian River is "no-catch" for chinook (endangered). Confirm the current river-specific rule before targeting salmon.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Coho Salmon Marginal conditions for Coho Salmon. In season 44/100
What's helping
- 12 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- 74°F water — above coho salmon's active range (44–58°f) — fish move deep
About. Oncorhynchus kisutch — “Silvers” — acrobatic, aggressive salmon that school near the surface and along piers in summer before their fall tributary run. A staple of the Great Lakes stocking program and the Pacific coast alike.
Prefers. Water 44–58°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 10–120 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
California coho are endangered and catch-and-release / closed throughout the range — must be released unharmed.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Inland River
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
California
Coordinates
Notes
California: barbless hooks all year, no bait Apr 1–Nov 2. Chinook and coho are "no-catch" (endangered) — release them; a Steelhead Report Card is required.
Local reports & rules for Russian River (Guerneville): California CDFW fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Russian River (Guerneville)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Russian River (Guerneville) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Russian River (Guerneville)?
Russian River (Guerneville) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Russian River (Guerneville)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Russian River (Guerneville) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Russian River (Guerneville) have?
Russian River (Guerneville) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. California: barbless hooks all year, no bait Apr 1–Nov 2. Chinook and coho are "no-catch" (endangered) — release them; a Steelhead Report Card is required.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Russian River (Guerneville)?
state agency regulations apply at Russian River (Guerneville). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Russian River (Guerneville) tidal water?
No. Russian River (Guerneville) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.