How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Ukiah, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Fishing in Ukiah, California centers on the cool waters of the upper Russian River, Lake Mendocino, and a network of nearby trout streams, offering diverse freshwater angling in Mendocino County. From striped and smallmouth bass in Lake Mendocino to steelhead and catfish in the Russian River, anglers around Ukiah enjoy year-round fishing opportunities amid classic Northern California scenery. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:18%
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Waning Crescent
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Distance to earth:364,958 kmProximity:95.6 %
Moon Phases for Ukiah
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good Day
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minor Time:12:50 am - 02:50 am
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major Time:08:34 am - 10:34 am
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minor Time:04:18 pm - 06:18 pm
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major Time:08:57 pm - 10:57 pm
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
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 New Moon |
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 Waxing Crescent |
Fishing Overview Ukiah
Ukiah fishing revolves around two main hubs: the Russian River and nearby Lake Mendocino, with a handful of small creeks and reservoirs filling in the gaps. The result is a compact, drive-easy fishery where you can chase cool-water trout and steelhead in the morning, then switch to bass, catfish, or panfish by afternoon.
The Russian River near Ukiah is a classic mixed fishery. Winter through early spring brings the best shot at steelhead, especially when flows are dropping and the water has a few feet of visibility. Focus on deep runs, tailouts, and shaded slots. Hardware anglers do well swinging small spoons and spinners on 8–10 lb mono, while drift anglers work roe, nightcrawlers, and soft beads just off the bottom. In lower, clearer flows, downsize to lighter leaders and more natural presentations.
As spring progresses and water temps rise, the local stretch of the Russian River transitions to warmwater species. Smallmouth bass, pikeminnow, and a mix of catfish take over deeper holes and rocky seams. Work smallmouth with 3–4 inch soft-plastic grubs, tubes, or Ned rigs on light jig heads, targeting current breaks, boulder edges, and mid-river ledges. Early and late in the day, shallow flats and undercut banks can produce topwater action on small poppers and walking baits.
Lake Mendocino, just northeast of Ukiah, is the primary still-water option and fishes well almost year-round. Spring is prime for largemouth and smallmouth bass as they move shallow to stage and spawn. Key zones include rocky points, secondary points in coves, and submerged brush. Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and reaction baits cover water when bass are roaming; slow down with Texas-rigged worms, jigs, or drop-shot rigs when the bite turns finicky or fish lock on beds in the backs of coves.
Summer at Lake Mendocino is about early and late windows. At first light, work topwaters and walking baits across main-lake points and over submerged humps. As the sun climbs, bass slide deeper; switch to Carolina rigs, football jigs, and drop-shots worked along the first major breaklines and old river channel edges. Night fishing for channel catfish can be excellent in summer—anchor near creek mouths, flooded timber, or the upper-lake river arm and soak cut bait, chicken liver, or scented dough baits on simple sliding sinker rigs.
Fall brings one of the most consistent patterns on both the lake and river. Cooling water pushes baitfish shallow, and bass feed heavily around wind-blown banks, rocky points, and any remaining weed edges. Crankbaits, lipless cranks, and underspins shine for covering water, while small swimbaits match local forage. On the river, lower flows and clearer water favor finesse presentations: 4–6 lb line, small inline spinners, and subtle plastics drifted through deeper slots can take mixed bags of smallmouth, pikeminnow, and the occasional trout.
Throughout the year, focus on water conditions more than the calendar around Ukiah. Rising, muddy flows on the Russian River usually push fish tight to the bank or into back-eddies, while stable or dropping flows spread them out across prime current seams. On Lake Mendocino, watch for water level changes that reposition fish on new cover lines and points. A mobile approach, adjusting lure size and color to water clarity, and keeping a close eye on temperature swings will consistently put Ukiah-area anglers on fish.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Ukiah area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Ukiah. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Doolin Creek - 2.43175520517km , McClure Creek - 3.18617791282km , Ackerman Creek - 3.23198660934km , Hensley Creek - 3.80992780599km , East Fork Russian River - 4.453587337km , Coyote Dam - 5.87648583771km , Sho-Da-Kai - 5.96331184744km , Howell Creek - 6.48325120837km , Mendocino Middle 1089-000 Dam - 6.63106470178km , Round Mountain 1382 Dam - 7.06797662054km , Mendocino Upper 1089-002 Dam - 7.17278243334km , South Branch Robinson Creek - 7.90128311219km , Forsythe Creek - 10.8567589106km , Salt Hollow Creek - 11.44479120567km , Lyons Valley - 11.85834138834km , McNab 384 Dam - 12.29607203399km , Seward Creek - 12.33630481328km , Bakers Creek - 12.95149050902km , Eldridge Creek (historical) - 13.24911501017km , Jack Smith Creek - 13.26012935352km , North Fork Feliz Creek - 13.42457488158km , Gut Creek - 13.58972691039km , Parsons Creek - 14.27482994264km , Lyons Valley Creek - 14.35288219107km , Eightmile Valley - 14.52509984488km , Black Oak Springs Creek - 14.57617401116km , McNab Creek - 14.78336175063km , West Branch North Fork Indian Creek - 15.33048107174km , Mewhinney Creek - 16.15836409837km , Crawford Creek - 16.27006825711km , Snuffins Creek - 16.47970665041km , North Fork Indian Creek - 16.48877854565km , Rocky Lake - 16.75580428602km , Blue Lakes - 16.83050213426km , Hog Lake - 17.25379858644km , Hanson Creek - 17.27024953544km , McCarvey Creek - 17.98872234512km , Burright Creek - 18.00505396215km , Lower Blue Lake - 18.10593783431km , Hagan Lake - 18.13610600813km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Russell Gray
uploaded by: Russell Gray
uploaded by: John Matthews
uploaded by: MAD MUSKY WATER SPORTS RENTALS Stacy Ellard Owner
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
uploaded by: Charlie Pifer
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