Bait
Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough
Floating scented dough for stocked trout in lakes.
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California's largest reservoir with spotted bass in the arms and trout and kokanee in the deep, cool water.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Shasta Lake for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and spotted bass. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Oct to Nov. In October, rainbow trout and spotted bass are in season, and Ned Rig, Drop Shot and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 7 shops within 45 miles (4 fly, 3 bait and tackle); the closest is Phil's Fishing Tackle in Shasta Lake, 6 mi away. Lower Sacramento River is 14 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Jun, Oct to Nov
In October
Rainbow Trout, Spotted Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Shasta Lake Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
7 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Spotted Bass
Shop This LureDrop Shot 3 to 4 in
LureFinesse · Spotted Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Spotted Bass
Shop This LureInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner · Rainbow Trout
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon · Rainbow Trout
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Rainbow Trout · Where bait is legal.
Trout Dough Bait Pea size
BaitPrepared Bait · Rainbow Trout · Stocked lakes.
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Rainbow Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Kokanee Salmon
Spin / Cast Light trolling rod with a soft tip, line-counter reel, 8 to 10 lb line with a small dodger.
Spotted Bass
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Shasta Lake
Rigs
Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
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Yamamoto Senko 5 in
The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo
Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Shasta Lake
Bait & Tackle
Phil's Fishing Tackle
Shasta Lake, California· 6 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Shasta Lake, CA.
Bait & Tackle
Strictly Fishin' Guide/Tackle
Redding, California· 12 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Redding, CA.
Fly Shop
Jack Trout Fly Fishing International Inc.
Mt Shasta, California· 38 mi
Fly shop in Mt Shasta, CA.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · California · 14 mi
Lower Sacramento River
A big tailwater below Keswick Dam at Redding with year-round drift boat fishing for wild rainbows.
Rainbow Trout · Chinook Salmon · Steelhead
Rivers & Streams · California · 73 mi
Klamath River
Runs through the northwestern mountains. Summer steelhead and fall salmon runs.
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon