Shasta Lake
Shasta County Trout, Salmon, Bass, Sturgeon, Crappie, Catfish, Bullhead
59 Share
What's Biting - 3 weeks ago
Kokanee Salmon
Hot
Spotted Bass
Hot
Trout
Good
Crappie
Good

Shasta Lake Fishing Overview

Water Description

Spanning over 30,000 acres and with depths plunging beyond 500 feet, Shasta Lake boasts a vast shoreline surrounded by dense forests, and a fishery perfect for a variety of anglers. Shasta Lake's trout fishery is exceptional, thanks to its deep, chilly waters and the CDFW's regular stockings of rainbow trout. Trolling is typically the best method for catching both rainbows and browns year-round, especially during late spring and summer. The cooler months bring the trout shallower as hold closer to shore. During this time, casting along the...

Spanning over 30,000 acres and with depths plunging beyond 500 feet, Shasta Lake boasts a vast shoreline surrounded by dense forests, and a fishery perfect for a variety of anglers.

Shasta Lake's trout fishery is exceptional, thanks to its deep, chilly waters and the CDFW's regular stockings of rainbow trout. Trolling is typically the best method for catching both rainbows and browns year-round, especially during late spring and summer. The cooler months bring the trout shallower as hold closer to shore. During this time, casting along the shoreline in the mornings and evenings can be particularly productive, especially for larger brown trout. King Salmon fingerlings are also occasionally stocked, with some trophys weighing in close to double digits.

Shasta Lake also has a robust warmwater fishery, notably for bass. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass populate the lake. Their activity level varies based on the lake's temperature and season. Largemouth bass are most active from late spring to summer, while smallmouth and spotted bass are more active during the transitional periods of early spring and late fall.

Shasta offers campgrounds, recreation areas, lodging, houseboats, and much more, attracting summer vacationers. It's important to note that dry winters can significantly affect Shasta Lake’s water levels, which in turn impacts boat launches, marinas, and other fisherman-friendly amenities. Always check water levels and launch availability before planning your trip.

Species:
Rainbow Trout, King Salmon, Brown Trout, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Sturgeon, Channel Catfish, Bullhead, Crappie
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 1 week ago - View Schedule
Forage / Baitfish:
Crawfish, Golden Shiner, Hardhead Minnow, Threadfin Shad
Structure / Terrain:
Coves, Docks, Points, Steep Banks
Trophy Fish:
  • Rainbow Trout: 8 lb 8 oz (2017)
  • Brown Trout: 10 lb 8 oz (2018)
  • Chinook Salmon: 8 lb (2018)
  • White Sturgeon: 190 lb (1977)
  • Spotted Bass: 8 lb 9 oz
Boating / Access:
Open to all boating
Regulations:
Quagga Mussel Inspection
Geography:
Max Depth: 517 ft
Surface Area: 30,016 acres
Surface Elevation: 1,067 ft
Hot Kokanee Salmon bite
Trout, Bass, Salmon, Crappie
68°F Clear

Shasta continues to fire on all cylinders with water temps now in the upper 60s. As one species' bite starts to taper off (though not much), another picks up... and right now it's time for salmon. Kokanee season is here, and trollers are doing extremely well slow trolling pink or orange micro shrimp presentations on gold dodgers in the 40-50 foot...

Shasta continues to fire on all cylinders with water temps now in the upper 60s. As one species' bite starts to taper off (though not much), another picks up... and right now it's time for salmon. Kokanee season is here, and trollers are doing extremely well slow trolling pink or orange micro shrimp presentations on gold dodgers in the 40-50 foot range (sonar will help determine the best exact depth). Fish are chrome and healthy... multiple folks reporting limits of fish up to 17 inches.

Rainbows and browns are still biting well too, often hitting Kokanee rigs. But trolling spoons is your best bet... good reports coming out of the McCloud arm.

If salmon and trout weren't enough, Shasta continues to produce an awesome spotted bass bite on small swimbaits and dropshots. Most fish are in postspawn but are still hitting well off hard structure and points. Reports are that big crappie are being caught too.

Overall, Shasta is serving up some of the best mixed fishing in the region right now.

4 anglers found this report useful
Share
Hot Spotted Bass bite
Trout, Bass
58°F Clear

Water temps are hovering in the high 50s at Shasta, warmer in protected areas, and the spotted bass bite has been on absolute fire! Squaw and Pitt arms have been producing crazy numbers, but reports say fish are being caught just about everywhere. Senkos, shakey heads, and drop shots are all pulling fish near rocky structure, secondary points, and...

Water temps are hovering in the high 50s at Shasta, warmer in protected areas, and the spotted bass bite has been on absolute fire! Squaw and Pitt arms have been producing crazy numbers, but reports say fish are being caught just about everywhere. Senkos, shakey heads, and drop shots are all pulling fish near rocky structure, secondary points, and south-facing cove shorelines. Small cranks and rip baits are working too. Most fish are running around a pound, with a few 2 to 3 pounders mixed in.

Brown trout action has been good also, with reports of some of the largest fish seen this year. Kokanee are still a bit early, but the bite should take off anytime. The CDFW continues to stock rainbows, with multiple plants over the last few weeks.

4 anglers found this report useful
Share
TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW

Nearby Reports

The McCloud is in excellent shape right now. Water clarity is ideal, and hatch activity is firing on multiple fronts. Golden Stoneflies are the headliner at the moment, along...

Water levels are very high at Trinity Lake and conditions are excellent. Water is clear, and temps are sitting in the high 60s. In far north lakes, the bass spawn is typically...

Shasta Lake Weather

Loading Weather...
59 Share

Nearby Lakes & Rivers

24 Followers
Trout stocking: 3 weeks ago
Trout
49 Followers
Last report: 2 months ago
Trout stocking: 2 months ago
Flyfisherman background image

Join FishCaddy Free!

Get local fishing updates & receive our weekly NorCal or SoCal digest.

Sign Up