Shasta Lake is a solid summer fishery in late June 2025, with good kokanee plus rainbows and browns holding 40 to 50 feet deep from the Pit River Bridge to the dam. Run Catch America dodgers with Uncle Larry’s Power Spinner tipped with corn for kokanee. For more trout, switch to a Junior Optimizer or Junior Trigger Spoon to work the shad bite.
What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?
A solid summer mix. Capt. Jeff Goodwin reports lots of kokanee being caught, plus good trout fishing for rainbows and browns. Kings are still around, though he has not put much effort on them lately. Fishing the lower lake from the Pit River Bridge to the dam has been productive for the mixed bag.
What depth are the fish holding at Shasta Lake?
The 40 to 50 foot mark has been the productive depth. Jeff is fishing the lower part of the lake, from the Pit River Bridge to the dam. Run your Catch America dodgers and Uncle Larry’s Power Spinner through that band, tipped with corn, for both kokanee and bonus trout.
What lures work for kokanee at Shasta Lake?
Catch America dodgers paired with Uncle Larry’s spinners tipped with corn are producing kokanee, and catching some trout too. To target more trout than kokanee, switch to a Junior Optimizer or a Junior Trigger Spoon to trigger the shad bite.
How do I target trout over kokanee at Shasta Lake?
Swap to small spoons like the Junior Optimizer or Junior Trigger Spoon to get the trout going on the shad bite. Watch for bait balls forming as shad drop deeper. The rainbows will key on shad and pack on weight as the true summer pattern sets in.
What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?
Improving. By the first or second week of July, Jeff expects the true summer pattern and some really nice rainbows. Many bigger rainbows are still post-spawn and skinny now, but they fatten fast once they key on the shad bite. The browns already look great.
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Shasta Lake June 30, 2025 FAQ
The 40 to 50 foot mark from the Pit River Bridge to the dam has been the productive depth.
Catch America dodgers with Uncle Larry's Power Spinner tipped with corn are producing kokanee and some trout.
Switch to a Junior Optimizer or Junior Trigger Spoon to trigger the shad bite for rainbows and browns.
Kings are still around, but Jeff has not put much effort on them lately with the kokanee and trout going.
Many bigger rainbows are still post-spawn. They fatten quickly once they key on the summer shad bite.
The lower part of the lake, from the Pit River Bridge to the dam, at 40 to 50 feet.
