Fall fishing on Shasta Lake

Beautiful Shasta Lake brown trout caught this past weekend trolling at 90' deep with a 8" Pro-Troll flasher and a small spoon!
Photo Credit: Jeff Goodwin Guide Services

by Jeff Goodwin
10-16-2023
Website

Shasta Lake is in its full fall fishing pattern which means the trout are really spread out in the water column.  Trout are being caught from 150' deep all the way to the surface!  Yes, this can make finding the biters difficult at times, but persistence pays off when fishing this time of the year.  Trolling is the most popular technique for Shasta Lake trout anglers but other methods such as spooning or still fishing bait can be effective too.  I generally look for the trout to be following the bait up into the arms towards the tributaries this time of the year but there are still plenty of trout to be caught down in the lower parts of the lake between the Pit River Bridge and the dam.  Find the bait (Shad) and you'll find the fish.  As fall wears on into winter, look for the fishing to be best up in the Sacramento and McCloud arms, but those area's aren't fishing well just yet.  I'd say soon, but November through December should produce plenty of trout higher in the system like it usually does most years.  Look for more reports in the coming weeks for the latest information on where the trout bite is happening on Shasta Lake!  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.