Shasta Lake winter trout fishing is under way and we’re seeing a good bite and lot’s of trout! Lake conditions are great, even with low lake levels. In fact, I think the lower lake levels are setting us up for a really good winter season. Water temps are in the 57 degree range, but cooling, and water clarity is great for now. If we see large amounts of rain in the coming months, it will certainly stain the lake waters again and we’ll have to change out our presentations again.
Gracie Goodwin with a beautiful rainbow trout we caught on Nov 29th during a family outing.
Every winter we see the annual lake water turn over, but it hasn’t happened just yet. Typically we’ll see surface temps dip into the low 50’s before the lake will turn. It shouldn’t make much of a difference this year because we’re already seeing the trout feeding near the surface. That won’t change when the lake does turn over this month or next, we’ll still be fishing up top. We have lowered our presentations here and there because we’re marking lots of Shad in the 20’-40’ range, but we’re mostly picking up Spotted bass. If fishing for trout is slow, keeping this in mind will help keep the interest from other anglers in the boat, if thats the case. Its a Shad show and thats what’s on the menu in Shasta right now. Matching the hatch can be critical, so be sure to have some Shad size spoons in the boat to present to the trout right now. The Shad are small, about an inch. Refer to the pic below when selecting lures for fishing Shasta for the time being. The trout are stuffed with them like we typically see during summer on the lake.
11/29- Shasta Lake Thread Fin Shad are what the trout are feeding on right now.
With Shasta Lake levels sitting about 170’ below full pool, just about all areas of the lake are producing trout. Everywhere I’ve been fishing seems to have plenty of trout feeding near the surface now. Most of my time has been spent fishing the greener waters of the main body near the dam. Dry Creek, Big Backbone, and Digger Bay are all good places to start your day. I haven’t spent much time on the McCloud arm, but traditionally there are some nice browns and rainbows hanging out around the Caverns. When fishing any of these area’s, I recommend using side planers to attract these weary surface dwellers this time of the year. Downriggers can be useful too, but when fishing up top there isn’t anything out there that will out fish side planers while trolling this time of the year.
Side planers are King in my boat this time of the year! Church Tackle TX-22’s are my go to planers for all the lakes I fish.
Catching rainbows and the occasional brown trout is what I’m shooting for during the winter months. Most of the trout are going to be in the 1-3 lb. range, but getting into a rainbow or a brown in the 5-7 lb. range is quite possible. For these larger specimens, go big or go home! If you are looking for a trophy on Shasta Lake, trolling Trinidad Tackle #4 Optimizer spoons or Bay Rat Short Shallow stick baits should be in the water. Both of these lures can be trolled effectively at 3.5 to 4.5 mph and will draw some big strikes from some big fish! Typically we’ll only get a few chances each day trolling these lures, but the bites are worth the wait in my opinion. If you’re looking for numbers, I recommend slowing down to either side of 2.5 mph and sizing down your lures. Don’t forget to use scent on your lures! I recommend using Pautzke Fire Gel in Garlic, trout, or Crawfish scent. It really does help when the bite gets a bit on the tough side or when you need bites in between bite periods.
11/29- Jaynie Goodwin with a big, beautiful Shasta rainbow trout caught trolling a small spoon behind a Church Tackle TX-22 side planer.
If you have followed us just recently, or over the span of a few years, you know we get into some great fishing on Shasta Lake, pretty much year round. If you would like to learn first hand how to catch trout on Shasta Lake, I would recommend booking a trout fishing trip with us this year. We’ve helped 100’s of anglers over the years catch more trout on Shasta, and this coming year will be no different. If you want to learn more about Shasta or just want to enjoy a day on the Lake catching beautiful trout, give Jaynie a call or click the “book now” button on our website and she’ll answer any additional questions you may have or can get you scheduled for a winter season trout trip. Thank you for taking the time to read this report and please check back this winter season for more Shasta Lake fishing reports.
Captain Jeff Goodwin
