Shasta Lake Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Kokanee 100 to 125 feet; rainbows 70 to 80 feet
Presentation
Dodgers and small spoons are very productive. Trix Minnows (especially pearl white) run behind a white Brad's 360 Evolution Flasher, or pull a small spoon off a downrigger or diver. For kokanee, golds and oranges plus Uncle Larry's style spinners in pinks and orange.
Lures and baits
Trix Minnows in pearl white
White Brad's 360 Evolution Flasher
Small spoons and dodgers (trout)
Gold and orange kokanee spinners in pink and orange
Keep spoons small to match the 2 inch shad
Other techniques
Run a small spoon off a downrigger or diver without a dodger
Advice for this week
Match the small shad with small spoons. Watch your electronics to find the schooled kokanee tight to structure down deep, and work the dam and bridge areas for the rainbows.
What is changing
Big rainbows started showing about a week ago; shad are still small (under 2 inches); kokanee starting to turn darker and hook up at the jaw with bellies full of eggs or milt.
Next week
The big rainbow bite should hold from now through the end of September, and the late season kokanee are worth chasing right now while they are thick and cutting nice.
Notable catch
Late-season kokanee around 18 inches, thick across the back with wide football bodies.
Shasta Lake is fishing really good in mid-August 2025. Big rainbows are holding 70 to 80 feet down near the dam and I-5 bridge, while thick, football kokanee are schooled deep at 100 to 125 feet near structure. Run dodgers and small spoons, or pearl white Trix Minnows with a white 360 flasher. Uncle Larry's spinners in pink and orange are hot for kokanee.
What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?
Fishing is really good, led by a lot of big rainbows that turned on about a week ago, plus a handful of browns and strong late-season kokanee. Capt. Jeff Goodwin says now through the end of September is the time for the big-rainbow spectacle on Shasta Lake.
What depth are Shasta Lake kokanee and rainbows holding?
Kokanee are deep, schooled at 100 to 125 feet close to structure, and easy to spot on the graph. Rainbows are shallower, in the 70 to nearly 80 foot range, and Jeff is fishing them lower in the system toward the dam and the I-5 bridge area.
What lures and colors are working at Shasta Lake?
Dodgers and small spoons are very productive. Pearl white Trix Minnows shine, especially paired with a white 360 flasher. For kokanee, Uncle Larry's spinners in gold, orange, and pink are strong. Keep spoons small since the shad are barely 2 inches right now.
How should I present baits at Shasta Lake in August?
Run a dodger with a small spoon or a pearl white Trix Minnow behind a white 360 flasher. If you do not want to dodger fish, pull a spoon off a downrigger or a diver and you will still get them. Match the small shad with compact lures.
How do the Shasta Lake kokanee look?
Most kokanee run around 18 inches and are exceptionally big and thick across the back, like footballs. They are starting to turn, getting darker with hooking jaws and full bellies of eggs or milt, but they still cut and eat nicely. Late-season is the time to target them.
Watch the full report
Shasta Lake August 18, 2025 FAQ
Schooled at 100 to 125 feet, close to structure.
In the 70 to nearly 80 foot range, mostly toward the dam and I-5 bridge areas.
Pearl white Trix Minnows run with a white 360 flasher, plus dodgers with small spoons.
Uncle Larry's spinners in gold, orange, and pink.
Around 18 inches, very thick and football-shaped, though starting to turn dark.
The shad are barely 2 inches, so small lures match the forage best.
