Lake Siskiyou and Lake Shastina are both within view of magnificent, snow capped, 14,162 foot Mount Shasta. And they’re both magnificent in their own right.
They have fine fishing, boat launching, a marina, a fully developed campground and a beautiful setting with crisp mountain air and sparkling blue water. This comprehensive guide will help you make the most of your fishing adventure at these stunning Northern California destinations.
The mirrored backdrop of Mount Shasta crowns both lakes, lending a dramatic alpine feel to every cast and offering broad views from Siskiyou’s north shore and Shastina’s western hillsides. Sunrises paint the volcano in oranges that signal calm surface conditions ideal for morning trout action.
The surrounding forests of fir and cedar create a quiet sanctuary where the mountain’s glaciers and waterfalls complete the high-desert tableau, making either lake as much a scenic retreat as a fishing destination. The majestic 14,162-foot peak provides a stunning photographic backdrop throughout the day.
Lake Siskiyou sits roughly 2 miles east of I-5, so take Exit 738 (Lake Street) near Mt. Shasta City and follow the signed road past the soccer fields to reach the resort, campground, and marina in short order. The route stays low-key but paved, so you can launch any loaded rig without having to detour through Mt. Shasta’s downtown streets.
Lake Shastina is easiest to reach from Weed by taking the north Weed Boulevard exit off I-5 and then heading east on Lake Shastina Drive across the causeway, with clear signage directing you to the gated launch, swim beach, and community docks. The road hugs the river floodplain before lifting you into the reservoir’s neighborhood, making it a scenic, traffic-light-free option for larger trailers.
Lake Siskiyou hits its stride in April-May and again in October when trout bite aggressively in the cooling waters, while the spring-fed basins stay deep and fishable even when the shoreline settles back in late summer. Modest late-summer draws expose shoals and concentrate trout near the inflow, so scouting the same coves you fish in spring pays off even when levels drop.
Lake Shastina’s trout bite peaks in late spring and early summer before the lake warms through July, and bass become more visible in the coves after the cool-water anglers tire. Because Shastina doubles as an irrigation reservoir, the level can fall a few feet after July, so expect shoals to appear on the upper arm while fish stack near the dam and deeper channels.
The single launch ramp at Lake Siskiyou Resort handles medium rigs and is backed by fuel, a pump-out, and winterized parking. The lake-wide 10 mph limit keeps the surface calm for shore anglers and swimmers.
It is a very short troll from the ramp to productive trout water, so you can get lines in fast even on day trips from nearby towns. This convenient access makes Lake Siskiyou ideal for quick fishing excursions.
Lake Shastina operates a larger concrete ramp near the dam with multiple lanes, courtesy docks, and parking for RVs, and its lake-wide speed limit rests at 35 mph with no-wake zones posted around the marina, swim beach, and campgrounds. Follow the shoreline zone markers, especially on the lake’s eastern arm where paddlecraft and inflatable toys mingle with anglers.
Lake Siskiyou rewards light to medium-action spinning gear with finesse offerings like small spoons, inline spinners, and subtle soft plastics because the clear water makes trout and bass wary, so bring plenty of fluorocarbon leader. A wind-on or braided main line lets you fight deep-rising browns around the rocky creek inflows while still feeling the first tick of a trout crossing a snag.
Lake Shastina’s combination of depth and flats means you need both casting rods for cover around rising bass and trolling gear for the deeper old river channel, where 8 to 10-pound rainbows cruise in summer. Keep a handful of articulated cranks, swimbaits, and stout drop-shot rigs handy to cover both the trout near the dam and the aggressive bass that cruise the mid-lake points.
Mt. Shasta City keeps non-anglers busy with artisan shops, galleries, and the Mount Shasta Nordic Center, plus easy hikes like the Panther Meadows Trail that give stunning volcano views within 20 minutes of the lake. Families can also swim at the resort beach, stroll the lakeside paths, or explore the charming downtown farmers’ market before or after fishing shifts.
Weed provides quick access to the Myrtle Creek Trail, the Lake Shastina water slide, and the Shastina Amphitheater for summer concerts, so the lake stays lively even when lines are idle. Golfers will enjoy the nearby 18-hole course, and history buffs can tour the Weed Historic Lumber Village just north of town.
Expect bright mountain sun and chilly mornings, so pack layered clothing, sunscreen, and bug spray before you leave the interstate for either lake. Arrive early to grab a coveted day-use parking spot, double-check for seasonal gate times or reservation requirements, and keep a stocked cooler since services outside the resorts are limited.
Lake Siskiyou, the smaller of the two lakes, is located about 2 miles from Mt. Shasta City, off I-5. It is at 3,200 feet elevation, has 440 surface acres of water and its shoreline is just over 5 miles long.
There is a swimming beach and boat speed limit of 10 mph. Trout fishing is very good at Siskiyou.
Trout action is usually best in the Sacramento River Arm. Sliding sinker rigs with bait work good at inlets, early and late in the day.
Trolling is also good in the Sacramento Arm. The Sacramento River Arm fishes best with fiddler crabs, nightcrawlers, and powerbait fished on sliding sinker rigs to keep the bait near the bottom current seam, while still allowing trout bait movement.
Pair that with slow troll spreads of small spoons and inline spinners east of the boat ramp to cover water where smelt and shad feed. Early and late season light-line trolling behind planer boards with medium-diving plugs also triggers chrome trout suspended above gravel bars near the head of the arm.
Most rainbows and browns range from 10 inches to 3 pounds, but brood stock from the nearby Mt. Shasta are sometimes “put out to pasture” in Siskiyou, so be prepared. Target the deep winter flats and ledges for trophy browns by presenting large, realistic soft plastics on 8–10-pound braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or by dead-drifting nightcrawlers near creek inflows where brood stock feed heavily before spawning.
Scope for pressured browns close to the dam and Turner Creek channel, and fish steep, rock-lined banks with slow-rolled jigs or jerkbaits to tempt the bigger, reluctant fish. These trophy fish require patience and precise presentation.
Both lakes offer developed campgrounds with full-hookup sites, showers, and boat ramps—Lake Siskiyou’s Siskiyou Lake Campground is close to hiking trails while Lake Shastina adds a marina store, playground, and seasonal boat rentals. Packable day-use areas and picnic spots make for family-friendly excursions.
Anglers can combine their trips with nearby disc golf, swimming beaches, and bike routes that wind through pine forests for evening recreation after a day on the water. The comprehensive facilities ensure comfortable multi-day fishing trips.
Lake Siskiyou at P.O. Box 276, Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, (916)926-2618
Lake Shastina, about 5 times larger than Siskiyou, is located about 7 miles northeast of Weed, off I-5. It has 2,700 surface acres of water and even boasts a water slide for the kids and some rental homes for lake visitors.
Lake Shastina is well known for its outstanding trout fishery. In fact, big rainbows from 8-10 pounds have come out of the lake.
Trout fishing is good at the inlets and at the dam. Troll over the old river channel in summer.
The 8–10 pound rainbow trout school around the Shasta River diversion and Sargent Creek mouths, where casting Chartreuse Kastmasters, hootchies, or large float-fished PowerBait in the early morning triggers aggressive strikes before the afternoon thermocline drops. When the lake stratifies mid-summer, troll 2–3 feet deep with downriggers and 6–8-inch flashers rigged with Corky or swimbaits along weed edges near Blowout Point and the saddle between islands for seasonal consistency.
Shastina Creek between I-5 and Lake Shastina produces many brown trout in the 7-11 range, but also has some up to 3 pounds. Use small spinners, dark patterned wet flies or red worms.
Access is in Edgewood. Shastina Creek’s brown trout respond to small streamers and articulated trout magnets bounced through slow pools, while worms or salmon eggs on 6–8 pound fluorocarbon presented under an indicator work well for resident browns feeding on eggs and insects.
Focus on the riffled section just below the parking area and the bend near the boat launch, using brass or copper jigs that imitate minnows and sculpins the trout key on. This small stream provides excellent trophy brown trout opportunities for patient anglers.
Lake Shastina at 6006 Lake Shastina Dr., Weed, CA. 96064, (916)938-4385.
Planning a multi-lake trip or exploring more Northern California fishing? Check out these resources:
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