Fall Fishing Begins on Shasta Lake!

Big browns are showing again on Shasta Lake!
Photo Credit: Jeff Goodwin Guide Services

by Jeff Goodwin
9-24-2023
Website

Its starting to feel a lot like fall on Shasta Lake and that means its time to make some moves!  There are still trout feeding on Shad in th elower lake but there are good numbers up the Sacramento and McCloud arms now as well.  The bait balls are showing up deep still but we have lots of bait up high now as well.  I'm finding trout down as deep as 100' feet but with trout feeding on the surface bait, the side planers are getting some play time as well.  We're seeing an unusually high number of browns throughout the days on the lake now but with heavy plants of small browns the past several years, we're really starting to see a bigger group of large browns.  With the surface temps cooling, we're starting to see some hot rainbow action near the surface too.  High jumpers and peeling lines have been the norm this past week.  Look for a lot of trout to return to the boat launch areas soon and look for the trout to push up the arms and to the creek mouths this next month.  We're catching some great fish now but I favor the Thanksgiving thru Christmas timeframe for BIG brown trout headed up the arms to spawn.  You can throw your tackle box at these fall fish but the smaller presentations have been good as usual.  If you want to learn the cold water techniques on Shasta Lake, now would be the time to book your late fall/winter fishing trip on Shasta.  Our trips are highly instructional if learning more about trout fishing on Shasta Lake is something of interest.  Call or text Jaynie for more information and available dates.  (530) 510-2925. Thank you!

Captain Jeff Goodwin

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.