Shasta Lake Fishing Report | November 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Up top. Jeff spends about 99 percent of his time near the surface. Downriggers go down only occasionally to check deeper marks.
Presentation
Run fast-troll spoons and hardware up top on side planers and divers to cover water for surface rainbows and browns. Save the downrigger for the occasional deeper look.
Lures and baits
Jeff did not call out a single lure. He ran side planers and divers up top, fast-trolling spoons and trout lures for surface rainbows and browns.
Advice for this week
With temps dropping, spend your time up top instead of chasing deep marks. Start targeting browns around Thanksgiving as they return from the spawn. That is when the bigger fish start to show for the winter season.
What is changing
Water temperatures are dropping, moving fish up in the column, with most bites now coming up top. Thanksgiving marks the start of the big brown window as browns slide back into the system after spawning.
Next week
Look for a strong rainbow bite continuing into January and February. Jeff is shifting some focus to the Sacramento River for hatchery steelhead and the egg bite behind spawning kings, with big-brown chances rising on the lake.
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
Shasta Lake November 2025 FAQ
Up top near the surface, worked with side planers and divers.
Rainbows and brown trout, with big post-spawn browns targeted around Thanksgiving.
From the second half of December into January for hatchery steelhead.
Eggs, holding behind spawning king salmon after a strong salmon return.
Side drifting with bobbers or pencil lead to reach holding fish in a barbless fishery.
Dropping water temperatures are pulling fish up into the upper water column.
Nice rainbows are expected through February and March.
