Shasta Lake
30,000 acres of world-class bass fishing
Shasta Lake
Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir in California, located just north of Redding in Shasta County. With over 30,000 acres of water and 365 miles of shoreline, the lake offers some of the best bass fishing in the western United States.
The lake has five major arms: Sacramento, McCloud, Pit, Squaw Creek, and the main body. Each arm has its own character, structure, and seasonal patterns. That variety means there is always productive water to fish, regardless of conditions.
Shasta Lake is home to largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, and several other species. The primary targets for guided trips are largemouth and spotted bass, which are abundant and feed aggressively throughout the year.
Seasonal calendar
Shasta Lake fishes well every month. Here is what to expect throughout the year.
January
Species: Spotted bass
Temp: 45-50°F
Finesse jigs, drop shot, shaky head on steep bluffs and main-lake points.
February
Species: Spotted bass
Temp: 47-52°F
Slow presentations on deep structure. Fish group up and feed in predictable zones.
March
Species: Largemouth & spotted
Temp: 52-58°F
Pre-spawn movement begins. Crankbaits and jerkbaits near staging areas.
April
Species: Largemouth bass
Temp: 58-64°F
Spawn activity in coves and flats. Sight fishing, soft plastics, and topwater at dawn.
May
Species: Largemouth bass
Temp: 62-70°F
Post-spawn feed. Largemouth recover on nearby structure. Swimbaits and chatterbaits.
June
Species: Bass & trout
Temp: 68-76°F
Early morning topwater bites. Bass follow shad into the arms. Trout near the dam.
July
Species: Spotted bass
Temp: 75-82°F
Deep cranks and drop shots. Spotted bass hold on deep points and brush piles.
August
Species: Bass
Temp: 78-84°F
Low-light fishing. First and last light are prime. Shade and deep structure produce.
September
Species: Largemouth & spotted
Temp: 72-78°F
Fall transition begins. Bass move shallower following baitfish. Consistent all-day action.
October
Species: Trophy bass
Temp: 64-72°F
Best month for big fish. Aggressive feeding before winter. Swim jigs and spinnerbaits.
November
Species: Largemouth & spotted
Temp: 56-64°F
Bass feed deep into fall. Crankbaits and jerkbaits on main-lake structure.
December
Species: Spotted bass
Temp: 48-54°F
Winter patterns set in. Slow finesse on bluffs and deep points. Quality over quantity.
What we fish for
Shasta Lake supports several game fish species. Tony tailors each trip to target what is biting based on season and conditions.
Largemouth bass
The marquee species on Shasta Lake. Largemouth thrive in the coves, brush piles, and shallow flats across all five arms. Spring spawn and fall feed-up are the hot windows, but they bite year-round.
Key techniques
- Topwater (buzzbaits, frogs, poppers)
- Soft plastics (Texas rig, wacky rig)
- Swim jigs and chatterbaits
- Crankbaits along rocky banks
Spotted bass
Shasta Lake is one of the premier spotted bass fisheries in the West. Spots hold on steep bluffs, deep points, and main-lake structure. They fight hard for their size and respond to finesse presentations.
Key techniques
- Drop shot on deep structure
- Shaky head jigs
- Ned rigs on bluffs
- Deep crankbaits and jerkbaits
Rainbow trout
Trout fishing picks up near Shasta Dam and in the cooler arms of the lake, especially in late spring through summer when water temperatures stratify. A nice change of pace from bass.
Key techniques
- Trolling with downriggers
- Casting spoons near the dam
- Live bait presentations
Launch points
Tony picks the launch point based on where the fish are biting. Here are the main access points on Shasta Lake.
Bridge Bay Resort
Tony's primary launch. Central location with great access to the main body and Sacramento Arm. Full marina with parking.
Centimudi Boat Ramp
Public ramp on the Sacramento Arm. Good access to coves and flats on the north side of the lake.
Jones Valley
Access to the Pit Arm and eastern shoreline. Rocky structure and deep points make this a spotted bass hotspot.
Sugarloaf
Mid-lake launch with access to the McCloud Arm. Sheer bluffs and deep water. Great for winter spotted bass fishing.
Shasta Dam
Southern launch point near the dam. Deepest water on the lake. Good trout fishing and main-body bass structure.
Gear checklist
Tony provides everything you need to fish. Here is what he brings and what you should pack.
Tony provides
- Bass boat with trolling motor
- All rods, reels, and tackle
- Bait and terminal gear
- Fish-finding electronics
- Cooler with ice
- Lunch (full-day and two-day trips)
You bring
- Valid California fishing license
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Water and snacks (half-day trips)
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Non-marking shoes
- Camera (optional)
Ready to get on the water?
Book your guided fishing trip on Shasta Lake. All gear included, all skill levels welcome.