Lake Shasta encompasses over 30,000 surface acres. It has one of the finest trout populations in the state with rainbows and browns and even Kamloop trout featured. Shasta provides trouting on a 12 month basis.
It excels in the early spring when greater surface and sub-surface feeding activity occurs. Top-line trolling is one of the best techniques at this time. A Ford Fender or Drew Davis lake troll with a nightcrawler trailer is a good set-up to try.
Popular places to troll on this large lake include Big Backbone Creek Inlet, Waters Gulch, Elmore Bay and between Elmore Bay and between the Pit River Bridge and Shasta Dam.
As water temperatures warm, the trout become more actively oriented to the schools of threadfin shad. Storm Thin Fin plugs and Rebel and Ripala minnows will fish well under these conditions here, again primarily on the troll.
Be on the alert for boils of trout pushing the shad to the surface. Make long casts past the thrashing fish and retrieve assorted hardware just under the water. Spoons such as the nickel Kastmaster and silver Z-Ray will definitely work. The Triple Teazer and the regionally favorite Speedy Shiner can also be dragged near the schools of bait.
By mid summer both the trout and the baitfish will sound into deeper water, sometimes all the way to 100 feet. Use a graph or L.C.R. to monitor thermoclines and these deeper strike zones. Switch to lead core or Pink Lady diving pianes using any of the popular lures.
Bait fishermen demonstrate their prowess with the famous “ Shasta Fly “, a marshmallow and salmon egg combo. Nightcrawlers, crawdads and red worms will also produce, fished 15 to 100 feet. More ambitious anglers will net their own threadfin shad and fish them with either a float or a single split shot.
Most fly fishing enthusiasts stay with streamer models at Shasta. Muddler Minnows, Wooly Worms and White Marabous will produce on traditional fly gear and sinking lines.
Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Association, 1250 Parkview Ave., Redding, CA. 96001, (916)243-2643.
Keswick Reservoir is the afterbay for Lake Shasta. It’s small, only 630 acres, but filled with cold water from Shasta and with lunker rainbow. Operated by Shasta County, it’s a local secret. It’s open to all types of boating and has a launch ramp and picnic area.
Shasta County, 1855 Placer St., Redding, CA. 96001, (916)246-5661.
Lake Shasta’s fishing cadence shifts with the calendar, so tracking water temperatures helps target trout throughout seasonal transitions. Spring runoff places trout in fast, oxygenated currents near inflows, while summer keeps them deep in stable, blue water.
Fall cooling pulls trout into mid-depth structure in bays. Winter clarity rewards precise bait placement near deep ledges.
Keswick’s consistent tailwater keeps trout active when upper reservoirs quiet. Vertical presentations shine in spring because trout chase emerging shad near the surface.
By midsummer, trout metabolism drives them into thermal refuge beyond 40 feet. As temperatures moderate in fall, the fish split the difference between deep and shaded flats.
Cold fronts allow trolling the deeper profiles around Shasta’s basin edges. Shad-pattern spoons work especially well near the thermocline during winter months.
Shad on Shasta gather in dense schools, and predators mirror their vertical movements. Watching sonar bubbles can be a real-time forecast of fish activity.
Trout and bass turn aggressive when shad boil near structure. Their focus locks onto the baitfish in tight, energetic windows.
When shad schools retreat into deeper water, expect trout to shadow them within a few feet of the thermocline. Quick-retrieve lures shine in these conditions.
In Keswick, current accelerates shad concentration against the afterbay’s edges. Drifting weighted presentations close to the current seam works well.
Observing how shad react to wind pushes reveals predator intent. Displaced schools invite fast-strike trout into aggressive feeding frenzies.
Targeting the thermocline on Lake Shasta requires precise depth control. Frequent sonar checks keep trout from straying far from their comfort layer.
Use planers or downriggers with counterweights for steady 30-to-50-foot depths. This approach keeps spoons and plugs within strike zones.
Adjust trolling speed to match the trout’s mood on any given day. Too fast and the lure escapes, too slow and trout ignore it.
Switch retrieve cadence between constant and pulsed patterns to mimic wounded shad. Rotate lure types every few passes to identify preferences.
Combining electronics data with advanced troll patterns keeps spreads efficient. This responsive approach maintains productivity in deep water.
Spring surface trolling on Shasta works best over shallow flats. Shad begin schooling and trout patrol just below the top layer.
Casting shallow flat-sided crankbaits or spoons lets anglers ride the wake. This positions lures where erupting trout strike instinctively.
Shasta Fly patterns excel because they mimic waddling, translucent shad. Trout bite on low-light mornings when presentations are convincing.
Tying flies with marginally heavier legs prevents fluttering above trout. This realistic sinking pattern triggers more strikes.
Carry spare flies that transition from bright UV bodies to muted tones. As the sun climbs, ensure a convincing profile is always ready.
Running flies close to the bow wake generates natural pressure. This mimics shad fleeing and triggers reaction strikes during peak feeding.
Fly fishing Shasta’s clear, deep water demands staggered retrieves. Imitate struggling shad sinking toward the thermocline, then darting upward.
Start with a 10-foot leader tied to a weighted shad-pattern fly. Strip sharply, pause, then let the fly drop to re-engage lethargic trout.
Working the banks of Shasta Canyon in quieter hours keeps fly anglers stealthy. This keeps the streamer in zones where trout patrol regularly.
When wind stirs the surface, lean into the chop with larger profile flies. Increased vibration attracts trout hunting in wake disturbances.
Switch to a tandem rig when trout key on suspended bait schools. A glass minnow below a short dropper covers multiple depths.
Bringing a fly rod to the boat adds versatility and options. Trout often target twitching streamers when they refuse lure presentations.
Keswick’s compact size and steady afterbay flow keep trout concentrated. This makes it perfect for anglers seeking quick action near Lake Shasta.
The reservoir’s rainbows respond aggressively to carefully presented flies. Drifting baitfish imitations also produce consistent strikes.
Fishing Keswick before or after a Shasta outing explores new waters. Shallow, current-tangled zones hold trout staging during release transitions.
Keeping a close eye on water temperature spikes reveals refuge areas. Presentations in thermal seams often pay quick dividends.
Keswick’s sheltered nature makes it ideal for practicing delicate presentations. Fine-tune techniques before tackling higher-traffic lake sections.
This lesser-known reservoir offers rewarding, less crowded fishing opportunities. Keswick rounds out any multi-water California trout adventure perfectly.
Lake Shasta and Keswick Reservoir together provide year-round trout fishing with diverse techniques and opportunities. Whether you prefer trolling deep channels, surface casting, or fly fishing, these waters deliver consistent action.
The contrasting sizes and characteristics of these two reservoirs allow anglers to diversify tactics and experience different fishing scenarios in a single trip. Combining time on Shasta’s expansive waters with Keswick’s intimate structure creates memorable fishing adventures.
Planning a multi-lake trip or exploring more Northern California fishing? Check out these resources:
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