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Why Fish Here
The stretch below Soldier Creek Dam runs through a long riparian corridor the Nature Conservancy bought in 1987 and handed to the Division of Wildlife Resources, so the whole thing is public and undeveloped. From the Red Creek confluence near Pinnacles up to the dam it is artificial flies and lures only, and no overnight camping on Division land. Vehicles get about six miles in from Pinnacles; past that you walk the north bank. Plan it as a day trip.
How To Fish It
Best rigs: Hopper-dropper along undercut banks
Bait and lures: Hoppers, worms where legal
Best time: Morning. Season: June-October
Local tip: Below Soldier Creek dam - sneaky-good browns in willow water.
Species Playbook
Brown Trout
Rig: Fly: sow bug/zebra midge under indicator; Spin: single-hook Rapala or spinner
Bait: Flies (sow bugs, streamers), Rapalas, worms after rain
When: Dawn, dusk, and overcast days; fall (spawn season) fires them up
Wary and smart. Downsize line to 4 lb fluoro on clear days.
Getting There + Nearby
Nearby adventures: Strawberry Reservoir (Fishing, 11 mi) · Strawberry Bay Campground (Camping, 13 mi) · Currant Creek (Fishing, 16 mi) · Fred Hayes SP at Starvation (State Park, 24 mi)
Quick Answers
- What fish are in Strawberry River?
- Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout.
- What is the best bait at Strawberry River?
- Hoppers, worms where legal
- When is the best time to fish Strawberry River?
- Morning. Season: June-October.
- Why fish Strawberry River?
- Because you get a tailwater full of wild browns with almost no development along it. The corridor is state managed and open sunrise to sunset, and roughly eight miles of it are walk-in along the north bank. Leave the worms at home: this section is artificial flies and lures only.