Shasta Lake
Shasta County Trout, Salmon, Bass, Sturgeon, Crappie, Catfish, Bullhead
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Shasta Lake Bite Meter

2 weeks ago
Bass
Hot
Trout
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 projected this week - 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
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Latest Fishing Reports

Hot Bass bite
Trout, Bass
60°F Clear

The bass bite at Shasta is still hot, with fish pushed shallow and locked into full spawn mode. There’s no shortage of 1–2 pounders, but some big ones are hanging just off the beds in slightly deeper water. Reaction baits are working far better than bottom-contact soft plastic rigs. Jerkbaits, swimbaits, and underspins in natural shad patterns are...

The bass bite at Shasta is still hot, with fish pushed shallow and locked into full spawn mode. There’s no shortage of 1–2 pounders, but some big ones are hanging just off the beds in slightly deeper water. Reaction baits are working far better than bottom-contact soft plastic rigs. Jerkbaits, swimbaits, and underspins in natural shad patterns are getting the most attention... and even picking off a few quality trout up shallow.

The trout bite is still very good for healthy-sized rainbows and big browns. The Pit River Arm has reportedly been a great area to target.

7 anglers found this report useful
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Good Brown Trout bite
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Bass
44°F

Shasta Lake is in a transition phase, and while the fish are there, getting them to commit has been the challenge. Bass have been finicky—spinnerbaits have drawn some action shallow, especially when it’s windy, but actual hookups have been inconsistent. Anglers are also dropping swimbaits and other soft plastics for suspended fish around dropoffs...

Shasta Lake is in a transition phase, and while the fish are there, getting them to commit has been the challenge. Bass have been finicky—spinnerbaits have drawn some action shallow, especially when it’s windy, but actual hookups have been inconsistent. Anglers are also dropping swimbaits and other soft plastics for suspended fish around dropoffs and points in 25 feet and finding a few bites, but nothing worth getting too excited about. Water temps are still hovering in the mid-40s, which isn’t helping.

On the trout side, browns have been the most active, according to guide Jeff Goodwin, but rainbows should start to show more as the weather warms. The CDFW has dropped in a few big stocks lately as well. Right now, trolling has been best, with side planers and divers getting lures in front of fish. Goodwin reports that smaller spoons and stick baits have been the most effective. Bait has been hit-or-miss, so it’s best used as a backup plan rather than the main strategy.

With a warming trend on the way, expect a better bite in the coming weeks. Bass should respond to improving conditions, and rainbows will become more active as insect activity picks up.

6 anglers found this report useful
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Latest Stockings

Projected this week
Trout CDFW
Trout CDFW
Trout CDFW

Other Nearby Reports

It’s been quiet at Whiskeytown thanks to chilly temps and wind, but that’s about to change. Water’s still in the low 50s, but a warm spell with highs in the mid-70s is...

The Trinity River is in great shape right now, with the water turning a cloudy green after recent storms. Half-pounders are everywhere, giving anglers consistent action on...

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Shasta Lake Map

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