Shasta Lake
Shasta County Trout, Salmon, Bass, Sturgeon, Crappie, Catfish, Bullhead
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What's Biting - 1 week ago
Trout
Excellent
Spotted Bass
Good
King Salmon
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 2 months 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
Excellent Trout bite
Trout, Bass, Salmon
78°F Clear

Surface water temps continue to spike with the recent heat wave... not the best for shallow midday bass fishing, but the early morning / late evening bite has been excellent on topwater baits. Small frogs, propbaits, or poppers are killing spotted bass off rocky structure and points when the sun is low. During midday, fish are pushing deeper... 20...

Surface water temps continue to spike with the recent heat wave... not the best for shallow midday bass fishing, but the early morning / late evening bite has been excellent on topwater baits. Small frogs, propbaits, or poppers are killing spotted bass off rocky structure and points when the sun is low. During midday, fish are pushing deeper... 20-30 feet, where crawfish-imitation soft plastics or dropshots are your best bet.

The kokanee bite has cooled off substantially within the last few weeks, but the rainbow and brown trout bite has improved. Plenty of quality fish near the dam and in the Dry Creek area for trollers running cut plugs and Speedy Shiners in 55-75 feet of water, focused on finding shad schools. For those chasing kings, target the deeper end of the schools... looking for sonar ticks 5-10 feet below.

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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.

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Nearby Reports

We caught two limits by 9:30am. Black and purple custom crappie jig on one rig at 45ft and a pink hootchie at 50ft. Wonderbread dodgers.

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...

Shasta Lake Weather

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