American River North Fork in Placer, California For Fishing & Camping

Fish Species

• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout

The North Fork begins at an elevation of 8000 feet (2400 m) near Lake Tahoe in Placer County at the snowcapped crest of the Sierras. It flows westward through remote wilderness areas including Royal Gorge, a spectacular narrow canyon 2,000 feet (610 m) deep that contains multiple smaller rivers and creeks as tributaries. The North Fork and its tributaries provides one of the most biologically diverse habitats in North America. The North Fork features scenic multi-use trails along forested ridgetops and riparian corridors. It flows undammed as a federally-eligible Wild & Scenic River until a small debris dam, Clementine, immediately above the Foresthill Bridge and prior to the confluence with the Middle Fork at Auburn, California. Both the North Fork and Middle Fork feature archaeological and historic sites of ancient American Indian culture and 1850s Gold Rush habitation.