Shasta Lake Fishing Report | June 23, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Kokanee and rainbows held in the 45 to 50 foot range.
Presentation
Slow troll for kokanee. Small dodgers pulling spinner hoochies did the damage; a 6-inch Trolling Dodger in gold with UV tape was the top setup. When the bite got picky midday, downsizing to a 4-inch Trolling Dodger turned fish.
Lures and baits
Gold 6-inch dodgers with UV tape, Uncle Larry's Hoochies, and Uncle Larry's Power Spinner were the workhorses. Smaller teardrop-style dodgers saved the slow midday stretches.
Advice for this week
When the kokanee stop biting during the day, switch to smaller dodgers before you change anything else. Downriggers keep you locked on the 45 to 50 foot zone all day.
What is changing
The lake fished a touch slower than normal, but bait is finally piling up on the surface. Kings have vacated a lot of their usual areas, browns showed up today, and rainbows are coming on.
Next week
With bait schooling on the surface, Jeff expects the trout bite to improve quickly and more action across the board in the weeks ahead.
Notable catch
Browns showed up, with some big ones landed in nearby boats.
Kokanee fishing is especially good at Shasta Lake the week of June 23, 2025, with fish in the 45 to 50 foot range. Run downriggers with small dodgers and Uncle Larry's spinners. Gold 6 inch Catch America dodgers, especially with UV tape, have been really good. Browns and rainbows are showing up and surface bait is piling up. Kings have been scarce.
What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?
Kokanee fishing is especially good, though the overall day was a little slower than normal. Kings have largely vacated their usual areas and are scarce. Browns are showing up, some big ones in nearby boats, and rainbows are showing up pretty good. Surface bait is finally piling up.
What depth are kokanee holding at Shasta Lake?
Check the 45 to 50 foot range for both kokanee and rainbows. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is running downriggers to reach that band. As surface bait schools continue to grow, expect the bite to strengthen in the coming weeks.
What lures and dodgers are working for Shasta kokanee?
Run small dodgers with spinner hoochies and Uncle Larry's spinners. The 6 inch Catch America dodger has been really good, especially in gold and with UV tape added. When the bite slows, switch to smaller 4 inch or teardrop dodgers.
How do I adjust when the Shasta bite slows midday?
When kokanee stop biting during the day, downsize your dodger. Jeff Goodwin switches to really small teardrop-type dodgers or 4 inch dodgers, which can produce when nothing else works. Keep working the 45 to 50 foot range on downriggers.
What is Jeff Goodwin's outlook for Shasta Lake?
With bait piling up on the surface, Goodwin expects the bite to keep improving in the coming weeks. Kokanee fishing is holding up really well despite a slightly slower day. Kings should return as conditions settle.
Watch the full report
Shasta Lake June 23, 2025 FAQ
Kokanee and rainbows are in the 45 to 50 foot range, reached best with downriggers.
The gold 6 inch Catch America dodger has been really good, especially with UV tape added.
Switch to smaller dodgers, such as teardrop-type or 4 inch dodgers, which can produce when nothing else works.
Kings are scarce. They seem to have vacated their usual areas, so success has been limited this week.
Browns are showing up, with some big ones caught in nearby boats, and rainbows are showing up pretty good.
Bait is finally piling up on the surface, which should help get the bite going in the coming weeks.
Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service.
