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Shaver Lake Fishing Report | July 2026

Report by Paul Brown
Paul Brown of Fishin with Paul Guide Service guides Shaver Lake for kokanee and trout.
What is working right now

Kokanee at Shaver Lake are moving deeper in July as the surface warms to 74 degrees. Guide Paul Brown is running downriggers at 35 to 55 feet, with most action around 42 feet. The top setup is a T-Pex in orange-gold behind a 6-inch gold dodger, then blue and purple. A 5.5-pound German brown ate a Hawken Simon Hot Tail in glow.

What is biting at Shaver Lake right now?

Kokanee, with a shot at a big brown. Guide Paul Brown pulled six to seven kokanee on a tough, slow July day and hooked a 5.5-pound German brown. The kokanee are still scattered but starting to school up as the month goes on.

What depth are the Shaver Lake kokanee holding?

With the surface at about 74 degrees and the lake dropping, the kokanee have moved deeper. Paul sets his downriggers at 35 to 55 feet, and most of the action has come around 42 feet. Patience has been the key on this lake.

What lures and colors work at Shaver Lake in July?

The most success came on a T-Pex in orange-gold behind a 6-inch gold dodger, followed by a T-Pex in blue and purple with a gold dodger. The 5.5-pound German brown ate a Hawken Simon Hot Tail in the glow color.

How is Paul presenting at Shaver Lake?

Slow-troll for kokanee off the downriggers at 35 to 55 feet, dialing in around 42. He runs a T-Pex behind a 6-inch gold dodger, swapping colors when the bite is slow. Patience and covering the depth band matter on tough days.

What is the outlook for Shaver Lake?

Improving. Paul expects the kokanee to school up more as July goes on, which should make for more consistent action. The bite has been up and down, good one day and slower the next, so stay patient.

Watch the full report

From the report (Paul Brown): The conditions on the water are currently about 74 degrees surface temperature. Rising temperatures, the kokanee have started moving a little deeper. So we've been setting our downrigger at 35 to 55 feet. Most of our action has been happening around 42 feet. We've had the most success with Catch America's T-PEX in orange-gold with a 6-inch gold dodger. We caught the German brown on a Hawk and Simons Hot Tails from Catch America, and that was in the glow.

Shaver Lake July 2026 FAQ

What depth are kokanee holding at Shaver Lake in July?

Downriggers set 35 to 55 feet, with most action around 42 feet.

What is the water temperature at Shaver Lake?

About 74 degrees on the surface, with the lake dropping.

What lure works best for Shaver Lake kokanee?

A T-Pex in orange-gold behind a 6-inch gold dodger, then blue and purple.

What caught the big brown at Shaver Lake?

A 5.5-pound German brown ate a Hawken Simon Hot Tail in glow.

How was the Shaver Lake bite in mid-July?

Slow and tough on report day, with six to seven kokanee and one big brown boated.

Who guides Shaver Lake for kokanee?

Paul Brown of Fishin with Paul Guide Service.

Tags: kokanee paul-brown shaver-lake
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Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

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