Freestone · Mixed · Northern California

East Carson River

A big, open freestone draining the Carson-Iceberg wilderness down past Markleeville toward the Nevada line, with a wild-trout reach and a stocked stretch and plenty of room to spread out.

Species

About as good as it gets

River steady at a fishable height. About as fair as it ever gets — go properly.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal
14°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity6512% weight
Conditions
Level
1.03 m
Water temp
14.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
23°C
Wind
W 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1016 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though time of day could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • CDFW general trout season; the wild-trout reach carries special rules — verify CA/NV-line rules.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

A big, open freestone draining the Carson-Iceberg wilderness down past Markleeville toward the Nevada line, with a wild-trout reach and a stocked stretch and plenty of room to spread out. The wild rainbows and browns sit in the runs and tailouts, and once the heavy snowmelt drops this fishes well to attractors, caddis and a hopper-dropper through the warm months. It gets low and warm by late summer, so fish it earlier in the year or in the cool of the morning. Big-country water with a generous, easygoing feel.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • TroutLast Saturday in April → 15 November
Other water nearby · 3