Lake Shasta Fishing Season

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
King Salmon
Brown Trout
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Crappie
Blue Gill

Shasta Lake Dam –
Shasta Lake California

Cradled by snow capped Mount Shasta, Shasta Lake sparkles like a gem in the sun and is one of the largest and grandest reservoirs on the west coast.

Began in 1939 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to provide flood control, irrigation and power production for the upper Sacramento Valley, Shasta Dam was completed in 1944. The dam is 602 feet high with a spillway crest at 3,460 feet.

The combined flow of four great rivers: the Sacramento, the McCloud, the Pit, and Squaw Creek fill the impoundment that creates Shasta Lake. When full, the lake contains 365 miles of shoreline and 4,493,000 acre-feet of water.

As you approach Shasta Lake, the majestic view of the famous Three Shastas, Mt. Shasta, Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake, is unforgettable. Their combined, awe-inspiring beauty can overwhelm your senses.

Began in 1939 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation to provide flood control, irrigation and power production for the Sacramento Valley, Shasta Dam was completed in 1944.

Shasta Lake Fishing Reports

The River Pirate brings you the most current Shasta Lake fishing reports and more. If you’re looking for a proven fishing guide who can put you on fish, then come to Northern California and fish with Pro-Guide Ken Hoffman on his powerful jet boat. Experience a guided fishing trip only a Master Guide can provide.

Shasta Lake Fishing

Adding to the native stock of Rainbow trout, California Fish and Game began stocking Shasta lake with game fish to offer a wide variety of options. Trout: Rainbow, Brown and Kamloops; Bass: Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted; Catfish: Channel and Bullhead. The lake also has Sturgeon and land-locked King Salmon.

During the summer months, Shasta is the hottest bass fishing lake in the State. Anglers can practice an array of fishing strategies as they fish for Florida-hybrid Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Spotted bass.

A lake favorite, German Brown trout are marauders that stay deep in the bowels of Shasta Lake during the warmer months of the year. In the cooler months they come up close to the banks and are very aggressive. They are mainly caught in the winter when they will hunt and eat almost anything. Large lures are pulled very quickly along the banks to catch them. They can also be caught on flies, glo-bugs, hard plastics, spinners and crank baits. Brown Trout are tough fighters and do not tire easily. Specimens have been caught up to 38 lbs.

Though not many anglers fish for sturgeon, the lake record is a 190-pound behemoth boated in 1977 that measured 8 feet, 2 inches.

Shasta Lake, formed by the confluence of four great rivers: the Sacramento, McCloud, Squaw Creek and the Pit River, is one of the largest and grandest reservoirs on the west coast. When the lake is full it boasts 365 miles of shoreline and 4,493,000 acre feet of water.
German Brown Trout. These marauders stay deep in the bowels of the lake during the warmer months of the year. In the cooler months they come up close to the banks and are very aggressive.

Shasta Lake Fishing Guide

It takes knowledge of the lake’s underwater structures and habitat to get on top of fish, and skill to entice them to strike. The River Pirate’s single trip record for Largemouth bass is 40 fish. The guide service’s record for Smallmouth is 30 fish. For Spotted bass, their single day record is 60 fish.

Pro-guide, Ken Hoffman, has over 30 years experience fishing Shasta Lake. Ken knows the lake thoroughly and will enjoy showing you the best fishing Shasta Lake has to offer.

Shasta Lake Fishing Guide

It takes knowledge of the lake’s underwater structures and habitat to get on top of fish, and skill to entice them to strike. The River Pirate’s single trip record for Largemouth bass is 40 fish. The guide service’s record for Smallmouth is 30 fish. For Spotted bass, their single day record is 60 fish.

Pro-guide, Ken Hoffman, has over 30 years experience fishing Shasta Lake. Ken knows the lake thoroughly and will enjoy showing you the best fishing Shasta Lake has to offer.

Landlocked King salmon though not as large as their sea-run cousins, but getting on top of a school of these fish is a kick in the pants.
King Salmon bite hard, run fast, and they will give you a fight you will never forget. This fish is not called a King for nothing.