Shasta Lake - Shasta Lake, CA

Spot Information

Fish Species: American Shad, Chinook Salmon, White Sturgeon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Kokanee Salmon, Black Crappie, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Spotted Bass, Flathead Catfish
Shasta Lake, CA, is California's largest reservoir, boasting an exceptionally diverse fishery. It is renowned for its prolific spotted and largemouth bass populations, alongside excellent rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon, and landlocked Chinook salmon. Optimal angling for bass involves finesse techniques around submerged timber; for trout/salmon/kokanee, trolling with downriggers at specific depths is paramount. Water levels fluctuate significantly, impacting access and fish distribution. Water temperature dictates species location. Extensive public boat launches provide access to this vast lake. Adherence to CDFW regulations is crucial for sustainable management of this premier multi-species destination



Latest Photos

Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
9-23-2025
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
9-23-2025
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
9-23-2025
Photo Credit: Scott Caldwell
9-23-2025

Shasta Lake Whoppers

Species Weight Date Report
Flathead Catfish 14 lbs. 9-07-2022 View Report
Brown Trout 10 lbs. 8 oz. 3-16-2018 View Report
Rainbow Trout 8 lbs. 8 oz. 9-04-2017 View Report
Rainbow Trout 8 lbs. 9-04-2017 View Report
Rainbow Trout 8 lbs. 8-27-2017 View Report
Chinook Salmon 8 lbs. 8-24-2018 View Report
Rainbow Trout 7 lbs. 8 oz. 8-30-2017 View Report
Brown Trout 7 lbs. 8 oz. 9-06-2017 View Report
Brown Trout 7 lbs. 2 oz. 8-04-2018 View Report
Rainbow Trout 7 lbs. 8-24-2017 View Report

Latest Fish Plants

Plant DateSpeciesSource# of Fish
12-08-2025Rainbow TroutCDFW 
12-08-2025Rainbow TroutCDFW 
10-20-2025Rainbow TroutCDFW 
10-06-2025Rainbow TroutCDFW 
5-19-2025Rainbow Troutcdfw 


Latest Fish Reports

Date Report Author
1-21-2026 Fish the Pit or Squaw arms for the good numbers
Fishing conditions:  Great Report: Fish the Pit or Squaw arms... more »
The Fly Shop
1-7-2026 Continues to produce big numbers of bass and a fair amount of trout
Fishing conditions:  Great Report: With the bulk of the storms... more »
The Fly Shop
1-1-2026 This place could be one of the best locations to fish in the coming days with the storms on the way
Fishing conditions:  Great Report: This place could be one of... more »
The Fly Shop
12-16-2025 This place could be one of the best locations to fish in the coming days with the storms on the way
This place could be one of the best... more »
The Fly Shop
12-3-2025 Still stellar fishing going on up on the lake!
Still stellar fishing going on up on the... more »
The Fly Shop

Detailed Map