Whiskeytown Lake
Cold, clear water just west of Redding
Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake sits just eight miles west of Redding inside Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. At roughly 3,200 acres, it is much smaller than Shasta, but the water is cold, clear, and deep, and the setting is hard to beat.
Whiskeytown fishes differently than Shasta. The lake is operated by the National Park Service, the water stays cooler year-round, and the crowds are lighter. Smallmouth and spotted bass hold on rocky points and bluffs, kokanee salmon school in the cooler depths through summer, and rainbow and brown trout are reliable targets in the cooler months.
Trips out of Whiskeytown are a great pick if you want a change of pace from Shasta, prefer cooler water, or specifically want to chase kokanee or trout. Tony picks the lake based on what is biting and what you want to catch.
Seasonal calendar
Whiskeytown stays cold and clear through the year. Patterns run a few weeks behind Shasta, and species rotation looks different.
January
Species: Trout
Temp: 44-48°F
Trolling for rainbows and browns near the dam and main basin. Slow presentations, light line.
February
Species: Trout & smallmouth
Temp: 44-50°F
Trout still the steady target. Smallmouth begin to wake up on sun-warmed rocky banks.
March
Species: Smallmouth & spotted
Temp: 48-54°F
Pre-spawn bass move toward staging areas. Jerkbaits, finesse jigs, and small swimbaits on rocky structure.
April
Species: Smallmouth bass
Temp: 54-60°F
Smallmouth spawn on rocky points and gravel flats. Sight fishing with tubes, drop shot, and Ned rigs.
May
Species: Smallmouth & spotted
Temp: 58-66°F
Post-spawn feed. Bass roam shallower structure. Topwater early, soft plastics through the day.
June
Species: Bass & kokanee
Temp: 62-72°F
Kokanee fishery turns on. Trolling with downriggers in the main basin. Bass on points and bluffs at first light.
July
Species: Kokanee & bass
Temp: 68-76°F
Prime kokanee window. Downrigger trolling on dodgers and small lures. Bass go deep with the heat.
August
Species: Kokanee & bass
Temp: 70-78°F
Kokanee still strong but pushing deeper. Early morning bass on topwater, then drop shot and finesse on deep structure.
September
Species: Bass & trout
Temp: 66-72°F
Cooling water restarts the bass bite. Trout return to upper water. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits.
October
Species: Smallmouth & trout
Temp: 58-66°F
Fall feed-up. Smallmouth chase shad on points. Brown trout aggressive before spawn.
November
Species: Trout & spotted bass
Temp: 50-58°F
Trout fishing peaks. Bass slow but quality. Slow finesse on bluffs, trolling for trout.
December
Species: Trout
Temp: 46-50°F
Winter trout fishery. Trolling with downriggers. Bass possible on the warmest days but not the focus.
What we fish for
Whiskeytown is a multi-species lake with a different mix than Shasta. Tony tailors each trip to what is biting and the conditions on the day.
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth are the marquee bass on Whiskeytown. They love the rocky points, bluffs, and gravel banks the lake is full of, and they fight harder than any other fish their size in the system. Spring and fall are the peak windows.
Key techniques
- Tubes and Ned rigs on rocky points
- Drop shot in clear deep water
- Jerkbaits in spring and fall
- Topwater at first and last light
Spotted bass
Spots share the deep structure with smallmouth and respond to similar finesse presentations. They tend to school up on main-lake points and bluffs, especially in summer when they push deep.
Key techniques
- Drop shot on deep points
- Shaky head along bluffs
- Deep cranks in summer
- Spoons over schooling fish
Kokanee salmon
Whiskeytown has a strong kokanee fishery from late spring through early fall. Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon, fight scrappy, and eat well. They school in the cool depths and respond to trolled gear.
Key techniques
- Downrigger trolling with dodgers
- Small spoons and hoochies
- Pink and chartreuse colors
- Locating fish on electronics first
Rainbow & brown trout
Whiskeytown supports both rainbow and brown trout, with the brown bite picking up in fall before their spawn. Cooler water keeps trout active longer into summer than Shasta does.
Key techniques
- Trolling near the dam and main basin
- Casting spoons in cooler months
- Live bait when conditions allow
Launch points
Whiskeytown is a National Park Service lake, so launch options are different than Shasta. Tony chooses based on conditions and what we are targeting.
Brandy Creek
Primary launch on the south shore. Paved ramp, large parking area, and quick access to the main basin and the dam. NPS day-use fees apply.
Oak Bottom Marina
Full-service marina on the north shore with rentals, fuel, and a launch ramp. Good access to the upper lake and Whiskey Creek arms.
Whiskey Creek
Smaller launch on the western end of the lake. Quieter, less developed, and a shorter run to the upper-lake 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.