American River
Fed by North, Middle and South forks draining the Sierra Nevada, the river gathers in Folsom Lake, then runs below Folsom past Fair Oaks through a long urban parkway to meet the Sacramento River downtown.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the American River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | 30 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | Sierra Nevada; North and South Forks meet at Folsom Lake |
| Mouth | Joins the Sacramento River in Sacramento, California |
| State | California |
Folsom and Nimbus dams sit on the lower river, with North Fork Dam forming Lake Clementine upstream.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the American River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
- Boat ramps on the American River in California ↗ · Bait shops near the American River in California ↗
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- California: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Facts from American River (Wikipedia) ↗