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Shasta Lake Fishing Report | May 2026
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake's late-spring season has kicked off, with king salmon and kokanee leading the way. Kings are down deep on flasher and bait combos with anchovies and herring, while kokanee sit around 35 to 40 feet in the Sacramento and McCloud arms. The lake is about 15 feet from full. On the Sacramento River, wild rainbows are coming on bobber dogging and side-drifting beads. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?King salmon and kokanee are leading, with rainbows and browns in the mix. Capt. Jeff Goodwin says the late-spring, early-summer season has kicked off with good water conditions, and this year is producing some good-size kings that are easy to target in certain areas. What depth are the Shasta kings and kokanee holding?The kings are down deep in specific areas of the lake. Kokanee are sitting right around 35 to 40 feet in the upper Sacramento arm and McCloud arm, where they are easy to mark and access. The lake is about 15 feet from full. What is working for Shasta Lake salmon?The kings are keying on flasher combos and bait combos, anchovies, herring, and similar baits. Jeff concentrates on this early salmon bite from May into June and sometimes July. Give the flasher and bait setups a try down deep. What is working on the Sacramento River?It is a catch-and-release fishery, and this is the time of year for good numbers of wild rainbow trout. Jeff does best bobber dogging or side-drifting bead presentations. Those two techniques have been most productive on the river. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Steady and strong. Jeff expects the king bite to continue through June, with the trout bite really picking up next month. Good water conditions and good-size kings set up a solid late-spring into summer. No specific Catch America product was named in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Currently we're catching Kokanee and King Salmon. There's some rainbows in the mix, and browns in the mix. Right now it's hard to beat the King fishing. A lot of these fish are going to be down deep. They're really keying in on flasher combos, and bait combos, anchovies, herring. Kokanee right now, hey, it's hard to beat the upper sections of the Sacramento arm and the McCloud arm. Fish are sitting right around 35, 40 feet. Shasta Lake May 2026 FAQ What is biting at Shasta Lake in May 2026?King salmon and kokanee, with rainbows and browns mixed in. What depth are Shasta kokanee holding?Right around 35 to 40 feet in the Sacramento and McCloud arms. What are Shasta kings biting on?Flasher combos and bait combos with anchovies and herring, fished down deep. How full is Shasta Lake?About 15 feet from full, which Jeff says is about as full as it will get this year. What works on the Sacramento River wild rainbows?Bobber dogging and side-drifting bead presentations, on a catch-and-release fishery. Who guides Shasta Lake for Catch America?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Shop Capt. Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | March 2026
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Services on Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is set up for better trout fishing in March. Rainbows have been sluggish as they stage for the spring spawn, but the brown trout bite has picked up and more fish are hitting the net. On the Sacramento River near Redding, low flows around 4,000 CFS have left skinny water and a slightly slower wild rainbow bite before the spring striper transition. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Brown trout have picked up nicely at the tail end of last week and the start of this week, putting more fish in the net. Rainbow trout have been less active, with many staging for their spring spawn. Capt. Jeff Goodwin thinks the trout fishing should improve. Why are the Shasta rainbows slow right now?A lot of the rainbows are moving up and getting ready for their spring spawn, which is keeping them less active. That is normal for March. The good news is the browns are biting better and filling the gap while the rainbows stage. How is the Sacramento River fishing near Redding?The river is running low, around 4,000 CFS, because they are holding back flows to store water in Shasta. That leaves skinny water in the Redding area and a slightly slower wild rainbow bite than usual, though March is normally a good time for them. What is coming next for Jeff Goodwin's fishery?Around mid-March the operation transitions to the spring striped bass fishery. Jeff moves his boats down to the Colusa area for stripers, leaving the Redding-area venues idle for about five or six weeks while he runs striper trips into the second week of May. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Jeff expects better trout fishing and looks forward to a strong spring striped bass run. Low river releases should continue through April to store water before the wet weather stops. Specific lures, depths, and colors were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): I think we could see some better trout fishing on Shasta Lake. The rainbow trout just really haven't been very active, and a lot of those rainbows are getting ready for their spring spawn. We are seeing a better bite with the browns. The river is running pretty low, we're sitting at about 4000 cfs. Shasta Lake March 2026 FAQ Are trout biting at Shasta Lake in March?Browns have picked up, while rainbows are slower as they stage for the spring spawn. Why are Shasta rainbows less active?Many are moving up and preparing for their spring spawn. What is the flow on the Sacramento River?About 4,000 CFS, kept low to store water in Shasta, leaving skinny water near Redding. When does the striped bass season start?Around mid-March, when Jeff moves boats to the Colusa area for spring stripers. What lures is Jeff recommending?Specific lures were not specified in this report. Who guides Shasta Lake for Catch America?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Services. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta 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. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | October 13, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing guides trout and salmon on Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River as a Catch America captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is a bit slower in the mid-October fall transition, but 2 to 4 pound rainbows are coming from deep, at 125 to 150 feet on sonar. Work the top 10 feet with side planers and divers as the surface cools, hunting shad boils near shore. On the Sacramento River, salmon in the Redding and Balls Ferry areas have trout and steelhead keyed on bead presentations. How is Shasta Lake fishing in mid-October?A little slower than peak, because the fall transition has fish spread out and harder to dial in. Even so, Capt. Jeff Goodwin is catching nice 2 to 4 pound rainbows. Most success is coming from deep water at 125 to 150 feet, marked and caught on sonar. What depth are Shasta Lake trout holding now?The main bite is deep, 125 to 150 feet, where you can spot fish on sonar. Some surface fishing is also on, working the top 10 feet of the water column with side planers and divers. That shallow bite should grow as the surface keeps cooling. How should I fish Shasta Lake this month?Target deep fish at 125 to 150 feet on sonar, or work the top 10 feet with side planers and divers. Look for shad boils and trout working them near shore. You can cast to those fish like a bass angler or troll, but stick closer to shore as it cools. How is the Sacramento River fishing?Good. Wild rainbows and steelhead are stacked around salmon in the Redding and Balls Ferry areas, waiting on dropped eggs. Bead presentations are number one, dialed to color and set behind pockets holding Chinook. Cast below spawning beds to pick up rainbows. The hatchery steelhead run likely lasts into January or February. What is the outlook for Shasta and the Sacramento?Jeff expects Shasta to build over the next few months as the surface cools and the shallow bite develops. Sacramento River rainbow and steelhead fishing runs nearly year-round. No Catch America products were named in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Shasta Lake has been pretty good, although it's a little bit slower. Most of the success has come from really deep. We're talking 125 to 145, 50 ft even. You can fish the top 10 foot of the water column with side planers and divers. On the Sacramento River, bead presentations are number one. Shasta Lake October 13, 2025 FAQ How deep are Shasta Lake trout in mid-October?Mostly deep, 125 to 150 feet, marked and caught on sonar. How big are the Shasta rainbows right now?Nice specimens in the 2 to 4 pound range, mostly rainbow trout. Why is Shasta Lake slower in October?It is the annual fall transition, which spreads fish out and makes them harder to dial in. What works on the Sacramento River now?Bead presentations behind pockets holding Chinook, dialed in on color. When does the Sacramento hatchery steelhead run end?Likely around January or February. What surface technique works at Shasta Lake?Side planers and divers in the top 10 feet, targeting trout on shad boils near shore. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | October 6, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service and guides Shasta Lake and Sacramento-area salmon and steelhead for Catch America. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is fishing pretty good in early October 2025, mostly rainbow trout with a few browns and little salmon. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is finding most of his fish deep, around 125 feet, with the water still 69 degrees up high. He recommends white presentations, white dodgers and white flashers trailing spoons or little grubs. Browns should move higher come November and December. How is the fishing at Shasta Lake right now?Pretty good, per Capt. Jeff Goodwin. It is mostly rainbow trout with a couple of browns. He is not seeing much salmon and has not targeted kings, and the kokanee are pretty much done after the last rains pushed them out of his areas. What depth are the fish holding at Shasta Lake in October?Deep. Jeff got most of his fish around 125 feet in early October 2025. The surface is still 69 degrees up high, so the fish are staying down. He fished shallower last week and mostly found bass, so he recommends going deep. What lures and colors work at Shasta Lake now?White presentations. Jeff runs white dodgers and white flashers with something trailing behind them. Spoons are great and little grubs are great. He says white is always a good call this time of year on Shasta as the lake transitions toward fall. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Jeff expects the pattern to shift as the weeks pass and the lake cools with new, cold water. He says browns should start showing higher in the system come November and December. For now the rainbow trout fishing is solid for anglers willing to fish deep. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Mostly rainbow trout. I've caught a couple of browns. Not seeing much salmon. The kokanee are pretty much done. I got probably most of my fish today at 125 ft. White presentations are always good this time of year, white dodger, white flashers, anything trailing them. Spoons are great. Little grubs are great. It's still 69 degrees up high, so the fish are still down deep. Shasta Lake October 6, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Shasta Lake in October 2025?Mostly rainbow trout with a couple of browns, per Capt. Jeff Goodwin. Salmon and kokanee are scarce. What depth are Shasta Lake trout holding?Deep, around 125 feet, where Jeff got most of his fish. What is the water temperature at Shasta Lake?About 69 degrees up high, so the fish are still holding deep. What lures work at Shasta Lake right now?White dodgers and white flashers trailing spoons or little grubs. When will Shasta brown trout move shallower?Jeff expects browns higher in the system come November and December as the water cools. Are kokanee still biting at Shasta Lake?No. Jeff says the kokanee are pretty much done and left the areas he had been fishing. Shop the Tackle Shop Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | September 22, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing is a Catch America pro-staff captain who guides Shasta Lake and Northern California waters. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is in its fall lull the week of September 22, 2025, with scattered fish and cooling water. Kokanee are the target down deep, best from 100 to 130 feet, though that window is fading. Rainbows and browns are the feature fish, with browns starting to migrate up the river systems to spawn and big rainbows following to feed on eggs. On the Trinity River, steelhead season has kicked off out of Weaverville. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Kokanee, rainbows, and browns, but Shasta is in its typical fall lull with scattered fish. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is chasing bites up and down the water column. Kokanee are still in the mix but likely will not hold up much longer as fall sets in. What depth are the kokanee at Shasta Lake?Deep. Best depths are past 100 feet, mainly 100, 120, and 130 feet for kokanee, though some fish are higher in the system. Jeff did pretty well on kokanee this week but does not expect that depth pattern to last much longer. What are the feature fish at Shasta Lake this time of year?Rainbows and browns. The browns are starting to migrate up the river systems for their fall spawn. Jeff expects to lose a lot of the bigger rainbows too, since they follow the browns up to feed on their eggs. What are the conditions at Shasta Lake?Water temperatures are cooling and nighttime temperatures are dropping, so the lake is settling into a fall pattern. Jeff expects that trend to continue until winter. Fish remain scattered through the column, so cover water and watch electronics. What is happening on the Trinity River?Steelhead season just kicked off. Catch America partner guide Justin Thompson started his season out of Weaverville with a couple of great trips, harvesting hatchery steelhead and catching wild fish on top. Larger steelhead seen in the Klamath are headed into the Trinity system. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Shasta Lake has been fishing pretty good, still in that fall lull. Fish are all over the place. Best depths really are going to be past 100 feet, 100 foot, 120, 130 feet, especially for the kokanee. The rainbows and browns are kind of our feature fish this time of year, although the browns are going to start migrating up the river systems to do their fall spawning. Shasta Lake September 2025 FAQ How deep are the kokanee at Shasta Lake in September 2025?Best from 100 to 130 feet, though some fish are higher in the water column. What is the main bite at Shasta Lake this time of year?Rainbows and browns are the feature fish, with kokanee still in the mix but fading. Why are big rainbows following the browns at Shasta Lake?Browns migrate up the river systems to spawn, and rainbows follow to feed on their eggs. What are the water conditions at Shasta Lake?Cooling water and dropping nighttime temperatures, with the lake settling into a fall pattern. Is steelhead season open on the Trinity River?Yes. Guide Justin Thompson started his season out of Weaverville, catching hatchery and wild steelhead. Where are the bigger Trinity steelhead coming from?Larger steelhead seen in the lower Klamath are headed into the Trinity River system. Will the deep kokanee bite last at Shasta Lake?Jeff does not expect it to hold up much longer as the fall pattern sets in. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | September 8, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Fishing and guides Shasta Lake for trout and salmon. He is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now 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 From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): We've been catching browns, catching some nice rainbows, and there are some kokanee still around. We're fishing super deep. A lot of the fish are coming from the 100 to even 125-foot mark. We're even marking some pretty good kokanee schools down at 150 feet. I am starting to see a lot of surface activity, a lot of shad feeding on the surface. Shasta Lake September 8, 2025 FAQ What is biting at Shasta Lake in September 2025?Browns, rainbows, and some kokanee, per Jeff Goodwin. What depth are the Shasta Lake fish holding?Most fish are 100 to 125 feet deep, with kokanee schools marked at 150 feet. What is the water temperature at Shasta Lake?Around 76 degrees and cooling with fall weather. When does the Shasta surface bite start?Usually October, as shad and the fish on them move up with dropping surface temps. Should I worry about hang-ups at Shasta Lake?Yes, be cautious fishing structure at depth to avoid hang-ups, per Jeff Goodwin. When is the Shasta brown trout fishery?Jeff Goodwin focuses on browns from mid-February through March. Shop the Tackle Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Services on Shasta Lake and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is fishing really good, with most trout holding 80 to 85 feet, some at 75, in 78 to 80 degree water. Big rainbows are showing. Run small spoons or plastics behind white or chrome flashers, and Trout Trix Minnows are producing heavy, bite-after-bite action. Shad-pattern lures are best right now. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Rainbow trout, and the fishing has been really good. Capt. Jeff Goodwin is finally seeing some big rainbows. Browns are still light for this time of year, but he expects them in fall, winter, and spring. Conditions are very good with water temps around 78 to 80 degrees. What depth are the trout at Shasta Lake?Most fish are holding at the 80 to 85 foot mark, with some days producing at 75 feet. That 80 to 85 foot band has clearly been the best zone this week as warm surface water keeps fish deep. What lures are working at Shasta Lake?Small spoons and plastics run behind flashers, especially white or chrome flashers. The Trout Trix Minnows are hard to beat, getting chewed up bite after bite. Anything in the shad category is what these fish are eating right now. How should you rig at Shasta Lake?Run small spoons by themselves, off divers, or behind white and chrome flashers. Pair them with Trout Trix Minnows in shad patterns. Jeff goes through a ton of minnows daily because the bite is so steady. A specific trolling speed was not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Shasta Lake?Jeff expects continued good rainbow action and better brown trout numbers heading into fall, winter, and spring. The shad-focused bite behind flashers should keep producing. Exact colors beyond the shad category and white or chrome flashers were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): Shasta Lake has been fishing really good. Our fish have been caught at the 85-foot mark, some days 75 feet, but 80 to 85 feet has definitely been the best. Small spoons, any kind of plastics right now behind flashers, especially in the white. These Trout Trix Minnows, it's hard to beat those guys. Anything in the shad category. Shasta Lake August 25, 2025 FAQ What depth are Shasta Lake trout holding in late August?Most fish are at 80 to 85 feet, with some at 75 feet. What lures work at Shasta Lake right now?Small spoons and plastics behind white or chrome flashers, plus Trout Trix Minnows in shad patterns. What are Shasta trout feeding on?Shad, so shad-category lures are best. What is the water temperature at Shasta Lake?Around 78 to 80 degrees. Are big browns showing at Shasta yet?Not many yet. Jeff expects better brown numbers in fall, winter, and spring. Who guides Shasta Lake for Catch America?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Services. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
Learn moreShasta Lake Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Fishing guides trout, kokanee, and salmon on Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River as a Catch America captain. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now Shasta Lake is fishing really good in mid-August 2025. Big rainbows are holding 70 to 80 feet down near the dam and I-5 bridge, while thick, football kokanee are schooled deep at 100 to 125 feet near structure. Run dodgers and small spoons, or pearl white Trix Minnows with a white 360 flasher. Uncle Larry's spinners in pink and orange are hot for kokanee. What is biting at Shasta Lake right now?Fishing is really good, led by a lot of big rainbows that turned on about a week ago, plus a handful of browns and strong late-season kokanee. Capt. Jeff Goodwin says now through the end of September is the time for the big-rainbow spectacle on Shasta Lake. What depth are Shasta Lake kokanee and rainbows holding?Kokanee are deep, schooled at 100 to 125 feet close to structure, and easy to spot on the graph. Rainbows are shallower, in the 70 to nearly 80 foot range, and Jeff is fishing them lower in the system toward the dam and the I-5 bridge area. What lures and colors are working at Shasta Lake?Dodgers and small spoons are very productive. Pearl white Trix Minnows shine, especially paired with a white 360 flasher. For kokanee, Uncle Larry's spinners in gold, orange, and pink are strong. Keep spoons small since the shad are barely 2 inches right now. How should I present baits at Shasta Lake in August?Run a dodger with a small spoon or a pearl white Trix Minnow behind a white 360 flasher. If you do not want to dodger fish, pull a spoon off a downrigger or a diver and you will still get them. Match the small shad with compact lures. How do the Shasta Lake kokanee look?Most kokanee run around 18 inches and are exceptionally big and thick across the back, like footballs. They are starting to turn, getting darker with hooking jaws and full bellies of eggs or milt, but they still cut and eat nicely. Late-season is the time to target them. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): The fishing remains really good. We're really getting a lot of big rainbows. Kokanee, you need to look down deep for them, in that 100, 125-foot mark now. The rainbows, mostly in that 70, starting to push that 80-foot mark. Trout Trix Minnows are pretty darn good, especially the pearl white colors. Shasta Lake August 18, 2025 FAQ How deep are Shasta Lake kokanee in August?Schooled at 100 to 125 feet, close to structure. How deep are Shasta Lake rainbows holding?In the 70 to nearly 80 foot range, mostly toward the dam and I-5 bridge areas. What is the best trout lure at Shasta Lake now?Pearl white Trix Minnows run with a white 360 flasher, plus dodgers with small spoons. What color spinners work for Shasta kokanee?Uncle Larry's spinners in gold, orange, and pink. How big are the Shasta Lake kokanee?Around 18 inches, very thick and football-shaped, though starting to turn dark. Why keep spoons small at Shasta Lake?The shad are barely 2 inches, so small lures match the forage best. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 5 Pack Shop Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
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