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Shasta Lake Fishing Report | November 2025

Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin
Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle.
What is working right now

Dropping water temperatures are pulling Shasta Lake trout up top for winter. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is now spending nearly all his time in the upper water column, working side planers and divers, with occasional downrigger checks deeper. Rainbows and browns are the main show, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving. On the Sacramento River, hatchery steelhead are keyed on eggs behind spawning king salmon.

What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?

Rainbows and brown trout are the main show. Dropping water temperatures are bringing fish up to the surface, making them easier to find. Capt. Jeff Goodwin expects nice rainbows through January and February, and is starting to target big browns coming back after their fall spawn.

What depth are the Shasta Lake trout holding at?

Up top. Most bites are coming near the surface, so Jeff spends about 99 percent of his time working the upper water column with side planers and divers. He still drops a downrigger or two now and then to check deeper water, but the top bite is best.

When is the best time for big browns at Shasta Lake?

Around Thanksgiving. That is when Jeff likes to start looking for the bigger browns coming back into the system after spawning. It is a prime window to catch some of the biggest fish to open the winter season.

What is happening on the Sacramento River?

Hatchery steelhead fishing runs from the second half of December into January. After a great king salmon return, trout and steelhead are hanging behind spawning salmon and keyed on eggs. Jeff side drifts with bobbers or pencil lead to get down to holding fish in this barbless fishery.

What is the outlook for Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River?

Strong. Jeff has a great winter season ahead, with nice rainbows expected on Shasta through February and March, and quality steelhead and rainbow opportunities on the Sacramento River from mid-December onward as the fish key on eggs.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We have some dropping water temperatures, which means we are finally starting to see more fish coming up to the surface. We are going to spend 99 percent of our time up top looking for those bites on side planers and divers. These trout are hanging out with the spawning salmon now and they are really keyed in on eggs. So we are side drifting with bobbers or with pencil lead.

Shasta Lake November 2025 FAQ

Where are the Shasta Lake trout in November 2025?

Up top near the surface, worked with side planers and divers.

What are the main species at Shasta Lake this time of year?

Rainbows and brown trout, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving.

When is Sacramento River steelhead season?

From the second half of December into January for hatchery steelhead.

What are Sacramento River trout feeding on?

Eggs, holding behind spawning king salmon after a strong salmon return.

How does Jeff fish the Sacramento River for steelhead?

Side drifting with bobbers or pencil lead to reach holding fish in a barbless fishery.

Why are the Shasta Lake trout moving shallow?

Dropping water temperatures are pulling fish up into the upper water column.

What is the outlook for Shasta Lake trout into winter?

Nice rainbows are expected through February and March.

Tags: brown-trout jeff-goodwin rainbow-trout shasta-lake
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