Shasta Lake Fishing Report | September 8, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
The fish are deep. A lot are coming from the 100 to 125 foot mark, with good kokanee schools marked down at 150 feet.
Presentation
Deep-water troll. Work the 100 to 125 foot zone, staying careful around structure to avoid hang-ups. For the deeper kokanee, a slow troll with a dodger is the classic approach.
Lures and baits
Specific lures were not named in this report. Deep troll for browns and rainbows, with kokanee marked deeper still.
Water temperature
Around 76 degrees, down a degree from the day before.
Weather
Really cool evenings, with more weather on the way to cool things further.
Advice for this week
Fish deep and be cautious around structure to avoid hang-ups. Watch for building surface activity as the shad move up and the water keeps cooling. Book with Jeff Goodwin Fishing.
What is changing
Moving toward a fall pattern. Surface activity is starting to build, with shad feeding on top, bass feeding on the shad, and some trout and likely salmon in the mix.
Next week
October usually brings the big shift, with bait and fish moving toward the surface. As late fall and early winter arrive, the shad push deep again to 150 and even 200 feet. Jeff gears up for a dedicated brown trout fishery from mid-February into March.
Shasta Lake is moving into a fall pattern in early September 2025. Jeff Goodwin is catching browns, rainbows, and some kokanee, with most fish deep from 100 to 125 feet and kokanee schools marked at 150 feet. Water temps are around 76 degrees and cooling. Surface shad activity is starting to show and should really pick up in October.
What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?
Browns, rainbows, and some kokanee. Jeff Goodwin reports steady fishing as the lake moves into a fall pattern. The summertime bite is behind us, and it is time to target deep fish and watch for building surface action.
What depth are the Shasta Lake fish holding?
Deep. A lot of fish are coming from 100 to 125 feet, and Jeff Goodwin is marking good kokanee schools down at 150 feet. He has not been pushing the gear that deep to avoid hang-ups while fishing structure.
How should I fish Shasta Lake right now?
Target the deep fish at 100 to 125 feet and be cautious around structure to avoid hang-ups. Watch for increasing surface activity, shad and bass feeding up top, which will grow as the surface temps keep dropping. Specific lures were not specified in this report.
When will the Shasta surface bite turn on?
Usually October. Jeff Goodwin is already seeing shad feeding on the surface, with bass, trout, and probably salmon on them. As surface temps drop, that big shift from deep bait to top-water action should really take off.
What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?
Steady into fall, then a strong shad-driven bite in October. Once the late fall and early winter pattern sets in, the shad push deep again. Jeff Goodwin also looks ahead to a mid-February through March brown trout fishery.
Watch the full report
Shasta Lake September 8, 2025 FAQ
Browns, rainbows, and some kokanee, per Jeff Goodwin.
Most fish are 100 to 125 feet deep, with kokanee schools marked at 150 feet.
Around 76 degrees and cooling with fall weather.
Usually October, as shad and the fish on them move up with dropping surface temps.
Yes, be cautious fishing structure at depth to avoid hang-ups, per Jeff Goodwin.
Jeff Goodwin focuses on browns from mid-February through March.
