Shasta Lake Fishing Report | Fishing Shasta Lake
How To Fish Shasta Lake?

photo: usbr.gov
About Shasta Lake

Located 223 miles away from San Francisco, overall it’s considered a popular lake for the weekend angler. And in this post you’re going to be given the blueprint to fish this lake.
Shasta Lake Is a very deep body of water with the average depth being 200 feet and a maximum depth of over 500 feet when the lake is completely full. Furthermore, it’s 35 miles long and 4 miles across.
Needless to say, Shasta Lake fishing can go gangbusters when you have 30,000 acres and over 365 miles of shore line to fish!
What Kind of Fish Are In Shasta Lake
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Brook Trout
- Chinook/King Salmon
- Kokanee Salmon
- Largemouth Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- White and Black Crappie
- Bluegill and Sunfish
- Perch
- Catfish
Shasta Lake Fishing Tips & General Strategies

photo: usbr.gov
Water Clarity
Shasta Lake is known for its crystal clear water, which is perfect for sight fishing.
- During the summer, the water clarity can reach up to 20 feet, giving you a clear view of what lies beneath the surface.
- However, during the winter and spring months, the water clarity can decrease due to runoff from nearby rivers and streams.
Water Temperature
The water temperature in Shasta Lake varies throughout the year.
- During the spring (February, March, and April), the water temperature ranges from 50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In the summer (May, June, July, and August), the water temperature rises to a comfortable 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- During the fall (October and November), the water temperature drops to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In the winter (December and January), the water temperature can dip to a chilly 42 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fishing Cover
Shasta Lake has a variety of fishing cover, which makes it a great place for bass to thrive. The lake has steep-sided banks, flooded timber, rock piles, and submerged brush that provide excellent cover for bass to hide and ambush prey. The lake also has plenty of weed beds and aquatic vegetation, which are ideal places for bass to hunt for food and take cover.
Structures
Shasta Lake has several man-made structures that attract game fish. The lake has numerous boat docks, which are great places to fish for bass that are seeking shade and cover. The lake also has several bridges that provide shade and cover for bass. The bridge pillars and pilings are also great places to find baitfish, which in turn attracts hungry bass.
Spring Fishing On Shasta Lake
The water temperature plays a significant role in the spawning season of bass. Largemouth bass typically begin spawning when the water temperature reaches around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, while smallmouth bass prefer slightly cooler temperatures around 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the spring months, Shasta Lake experiences a variety of weather patterns. The air temperature can range from the high 40s to the low 70s, and winds can be calm or gusty. The prevailing wind direction is from the north, but it can shift to the south or southeast depending on the weather system. Anglers should be prepared for changing weather conditions and bring appropriate clothing to stay comfortable on the water.
If you’re planning to fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, or crappie, it’s important to know when and where they spawn. Here’s what you need to know:
- Largemouth bass: In Shasta Lake, largemouth bass usually start spawning in late April or early May. They prefer to spawn in shallow coves and protected areas with vegetation and woody cover. Some of the best locations to find largemouth bass during spawning season include Jones Valley, Dry Creek, and Packers Bay.
- Smallmouth bass: Smallmouth bass also spawn in late April or early May in Shasta Lake. They tend to prefer rocky areas with gravel or sand bottoms in the middle and upper arms of the lake. Good places to look for spawning smallmouth bass include the McCloud River Arm, the Pit River Arm, and the Squaw Creek Arm.
- Striped bass: Striped bass typically spawn in Shasta Lake from April to June. They prefer to spawn in the main body of the lake near the dam and along the steep banks. Look for areas with a rocky or gravel bottom and a water depth of around 15 to 30 feet.
- Crappie: Crappie usually start spawning in Shasta Lake in late March or early April. They prefer to spawn in shallow coves with brush, trees, or other cover. Some of the best locations to find spawning crappie include Little Backbone Creek, Big Backbone Creek, and the Dry Creek Arm.
After spawning, bass and trout tend to move to deeper water as the temperature rises in the summer months.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found around structure such as rocks, trees, and drop-offs.
Trout, on the other hand, tend to seek out cooler water and can often be found near the Shasta Dam, the McCloud River Arm, or the Sacramento River Arm. Keep in mind that fish behavior can vary depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and other factors, so it’s important to stay flexible and adaptable when fishing on Shasta Lake.
Summer Fishing On Shasta Lake
During summer, the weather in Shasta Lake is warm and dry with clear blue skies. The air temperature can range from the mid-80s to low 100s (°F) during the day and drops to the mid-50s at night. The wind speed is typically low, ranging from 5-10 mph, but can increase in the afternoons up to 20 mph.
As for the forage of bass and trout during the summer in Shasta Lake, threadfin shad and small minnows are the primary prey.
The warm water temperatures cause baitfish to school and move to the shallower areas of the lake, attracting the predators.
Bass tend to stay in the cooler, deeper waters during the hottest parts of the day and move into the shallower waters in the early morning and evening to feed.
Trout can be found in deeper, cooler waters, but they will also move to the shallower areas during low light periods to feed.
Some of the best techniques to catch trout and Kokanee on Shasta Lake during summer include trolling, using bait, and vertical jigging.
Trout Lures:
- PowerBait (various colors)
- Garlic-scented marshmallows
- Kokanee lures (e.g. Kokanee Killer)
- Needlefish lures (e.g. Needlefish Spoon)
- Hoochie lures (e.g. Kokabow Hoochie)
Trout Locations:
- Hirz Bay
- Packers Bay
- Dry Fork Creek
During the summer months, bass fishing can be quite productive on Shasta Lake. Here are some of the best techniques and baits for catching bass on this lake:
Bass Techniques:
- Drop shot rigs with soft plastic baits
- Texas-rigged plastic worms or creature baits
- Topwater lures like buzzbaits or poppers
- Crankbaits retrieved at varying depths
- Jig fishing around structure
Bass Baits:
- Roboworms in various colors
- Zoom Trick Worms
- Strike King Rage Tail Craws
- Heddon Zara Spooks
- Rapala Shad Raps
Bass Locations:
- Look for structure such as submerged trees, rock piles, and points
- Fish along the weedlines
- Try fishing around the dam or near the inlet of the Sacramento River arm.
Shasta Lake is home to a variety of game fish, in addition to the trout and bass previously mentioned. Here are a few other species you might encounter:
- Crappie: During the summer, crappie can be caught near submerged trees or other underwater cover using jigs or small minnows.
- Catfish: Channel catfish, white catfish, and bullheads can all be found in Shasta Lake during the summer months. Try using anchovies, chicken liver, or “stink” baits near rocky outcroppings or submerged logs.
- Bluegill: Bluegill can be caught near underwater structures using small worms or jigs tipped with wax worms.
- Kokanee salmon: These landlocked salmon are most often caught by trolling with small spinners or lures tipped with scented corn.
- White sturgeon: Although relatively rare, white sturgeon can be caught in the deeper areas of Shasta Lake using live bait such as crawdads or lamprey eels.
As with any fishing, it’s important to check the current regulations for Shasta Lake and to respect the natural resources by practicing catch-and-release whenever possible.
But Where Are The Best Places To Fish At Shasta Lake?

And in no particular order here is that list of some the best fishing spots at Shasta Lake.
DISCLAIMER: The material provided is for general information purposes only. It’s important to understand that any information provided in this article can change at any time. Any maps or graphics featured are not to be used as navigational aids. Fishing Blueprint will not be responsible for any personal injury or property damage from any misuse of the maps or graphics provided. It’s completely impossible to give you every single spot where you can potentially catch a fish. But, what this list does do is to give you a helping hand and narrow down to the most productive fishing spots.
Shasta Dam

Located: southwest end of lake
Structural features: deep open water, submerged brush and timber on the north cove just outside the dam.
Best species to target: King salmon, lake trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie
Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, float tube
Slaughterhouse Island/Mouth Of Sacramento River Arm

Located: south section of the lake
Structural features: natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: Trout, kokanee, and salmon
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Packers Bay

Located: middle section of the lake
Structural features: natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: trout, salmon
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Pitt River Bridge To Ski Island

Located: southwest section of the lake
Structural features: steep cold river channel, boulder piles, ledges, points and cuts.
Best species to target: trout and salmon
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat
Jones Valley Bay

Located: south section of the lake
Structural features: natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: Trout, kokanee, and bass
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Pit River Arm

Located: south section of the lake
Structural features: vertical timber, creek channel turns, rock piles, rocky banks, natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass crappie, catfish
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Squaw Creek Arm

Located: south section of the lake
Structural features: vertical timber, creek channel turns, rock piles, rocky banks, natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: rainbow trout, spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Sugar Loaf

Located: north section of the lake
Structural features: vertical timber, creek channel turns, rock piles, rocky banks, natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: rainbow trout, spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Big Backbone Creek Arm

Located: west section of the lake
Structural features: vertical timber, creek channel turns, rock piles, rocky banks, natural humps, bars and ridges
Best species to target: rainbow trout, spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish
Most effective way to fish this spot: boat, kayak
Boat Ramps at Shasta Lake

Bailey Cove Public Boat Ramp
- Bailey Cove Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051
- fs.usda.gov
- (530) 275-8113
- Lanes: 2
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
Centimudi Boat Launch
- Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity Nra, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
- fs.usda.gov
- (530) 275-8113
- Lanes: 3
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
Jones Valley Public Boat Launch
- Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity Nra, Redding, CA 96003
- fs.usda.gov
- (530) 226-2500
- Lanes: 2
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
Packers Bay Public Boat Ramp
- Packers Bay Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051
- fs.usda.gov
- (530) 275-8113
- Lanes: 2
- Restrooms: Yes
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
Hirz Bay Public Boat Ramp
- Hirz Bay Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051
- fs.usda.gov
- (530) 226-2500
- Lanes: 2
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
Sugarloaf Public Boat Ramp
- Lakeshore Dr, Lakehead, CA 96051
- shastatrinitycamping.com
- (530) 275-8113
- Lanes: 2
- Restrooms: Yes
- Showers: no
- Gas: no
- Tackle, groceries, snacks available: no
- Camping nearby: Yes
asdfasdf
Marinas At Shasta Lake
Sugarloaf Marina
Lakeshore Dr, Lakehead, CA 96051
(530) 238-8200
Digger Bay at Shasta Lake
15090 Digger Bay Rd, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
(530) 275-3072
Holiday Harbor – Shasta Lake House Boat Rentals & Marina
20061 Shasta Caverns Rd, O’Brien, CA 96051
(530) 238-2383
Silverthorn Resort | Houseboats
16250 Silverthorn Rd, Redding, CA 96003
(800) 332-3044
Jones Valley Marina
Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity Nra, Redding, CA 96003
Tackle Shops & Tackle Retailers Shasta Lake
Phil's Fishing Tackle
- Address - 3037 Twin View Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
- Phone number - (530) 275-4939
- Website - here
- Payment methods accepted - Cash, credit, debit
Fishin Hole
- Address - 3844 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
- Phone number - (530) 275-4123
- Website - not available
- Payment methods accepted - Cash, credit, debit
Western Bait Farm
- Address - 3211 Veda St, Redding, CA 96001
- Phone number - asdfasdf
- Website - here
- Payment methods accepted - Cash, credit, debit
Shasta Lake Bait & Tackle LLC
- Address - 3915 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA 96019
- Phone number - (530) 356-5575
- Website - not available
- Payment methods accepted - Cash, credit, debit, apple pay
Other California Related Fishing Articles
- Bass Lake Fishing Report
- Clear Lake Fishing Report
- Castaic Lake Fishing Report
- California Delta Fishing Report
- Diamond Valley Lake Fishing Report
- Don Pedro Reservoir Fishing Report
- El Capitan Reservoir Fishing Report
- Lake Berryessa Fishing Report
- Big Bear Lake Fishing Report
- Folsom Lake Fishing Report
- Irvine Lake Fishing Report
- Lake Almanor Fishing Report
- Lake Camanche Fishing Report
- Lake Isabella Fishing Report
- Lake Havasu Fishing Report
- Lake McClure Fishing Report
- Lake Oroville Fishing Report
- Lake Perris Fishing Report
- Lake Piru Fishing Report
- Lake Skinner Fishing Report
- Lake Tahoe Fishing Report
- Los Banos Reservoir Fishing Report
- New Hogan Lake Fishing Report
- New Melones Lake Fishing Report
- O’Neill Forebay Fishing Report
- Pardee Lake Fishing Report
- Pyramid Lake Fishing Report
- San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report
- San Vicente Reservoir Fishing Report
- Shasta Lake Fishing Report
- Silverwood Lake Fishing Report
- Trinity Lake Fishing Report
- Whiskeytown Lake Fishing Report
More articles just for you...
Fishing Spawning Bass [18+ Lures & Gear]
Get Ready For The Spawn Now When bed fishing, stealth is of the biggest essential tip. Instead of racing forward with a trolling motor, anglers
[2023 Editors Choice] Picking The Best Bass Fishing LINE For ANY Budget
What is the best bass fishing line? | What is a good fishing line for bass? The best type of bass fishing line is based
Drift Sock Basics – What It Is A Drift Sock & How To Use It [2023 Quick Start Guide]
What Does A Drift Sock Do? | Why Use A Drift Sock? photo cred: WLUK We’ve ALL been there… you work your butt off the
Best Tackle Bag for Fishing [2023 Review Guide]
Over the last ten years the tackle bag has exploded in popularity, replacing the old and awkward tackle box. In the beginning, fishermen were forced
[2023 Editors Choice] Picking The Best Bass Fishing Reels For ANY Budget
What are the best bass fishing reels? | What reels to use for bass fishing? The best type of bass fishing reels are based on
How To Use A Drift Sock In Rivers Or Current 2023
Drift socks can be a massive asset when your faced with current, either by a river, or a tidal system. Manmade currents can also be