Shasta Lake spring trout/salmon

Shasta Lake - Shasta Lake, CA (Shasta County)

2/19/22
Photo Credit: Jeff Goodwing Fishing Team

by Jeff Goodwin
2-20-2022
Website

Shasta Lake is on the drop from its high point this winter of 129' below full pool.  Water conditions and temps are great for now, but we're not excited to see the inflow drop below the outflow from Shasta Dam into the Sacramento River.  Even with the lake now back in drop mode, the fishing has been pretty good.  We're seeing mostly rainbow trout on most of the days we fish, but we're also catching a few browns, Kings and today, the first Shasta Lake Kokanee of the year. Another friend on the water caught one as well during yesterdays Phil's Propeller Winter Trout Derby on Shasta as well.  Most of our fish are taken in the 15'-30' depths, but there are a few trout and salmon sulking in the deeper sections of the lake as well.  The Shad supply is great and just about every fish we catch has been eating Threadfin Shad.  Areas of the lake to consider fishing include the Sac Arm, McCloud Arm, and the main body from the Dam to the Pit River Bridge (I-5).  There are some big brown lurking around, but we haven't dialed into them consistently.  March is prime time for Shasta Lake browns so I'm hoping to see some of the bigger specimens very soon!  All in all, everything is shaping up nicely for another great spring and summer fishing season on California's biggest reservoir.

 


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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