Winter on big Shasta Lake.

Shasta Lake - Shasta Lake, CA (Shasta County)

Post spawn German brown trout on Shasta Lake.
Photo Credit: JGGS Fishing Team.

by Jeff Goodwin
1-13-2020
Website

Shasta Lake is fishing according to typical winter fashion and a good day on the water one day can turn to not so good the next.  Constant weather changes plague Shasta anglers every winter and often times in the spring as well.  One condition thats playing in our favor is the water levels and color.  Perfect conditions prevail in those two areas and I'll take what we are given in that category for sure.  Side planers have been our top producers, and today, the addition of a 2-3 oz snap weight 50' in front of a spoon was favored by the trout.  I didn't bring the downriggers to have a look, but I've heard of some small Kings being caught in the 50-60' range.  That may be worth a look for the King salmon fisherman on Shasta. The big browns have been laying low as usual, but they should emerge very soon.  Almost every brown caught lately has been a post spawn fish so its clear they are starting to exit the rivers and are headed back to their main lake homes on or near big structure.  I'll be off of Shasta until February, but will report what I hear if it seems noteworthy.  Tight lines!


Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.





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