Bureau of Reclamation reservoir

Shasta Lake

Shasta County, California

Shasta Lake is California's largest reservoir, north of Redding where the Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit rivers meet. It is known for spotted bass and for trolling for rainbow and brown trout.

Air temp in Obrien, CA Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Shasta Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area30,000 acres

Max depth517 ft

Shoreline365 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Spotted Bass●●●●●

Plastic worms and swimbaits catch bass in spring and early summer.

Rainbow Trout●●●●○

The Sacramento River arm is a good area for rainbows.

Brown Trout●●●●○

Troll the McCloud arm from Turntable Bay to Hirz Bay for browns.

Largemouth Bass●●●○○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Smallmouth Bass●●●○○

Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.

Boat launches

9 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Centimudi Public Boat RampPublic
Forest Service ramp near Shasta Dam, four lanes and courtesy dockDirections ↗
2Bailey Cove Public Boat RampFee
Forest Service ramp on the lower McCloud arm; feeDirections ↗
3Antlers Public Boat RampPublic
Forest Service ramp on the upper Sacramento arm by Antlers campgroundDirections ↗
4Jones Valley Public Boat RampPublic
Forest Service ramp on the Pit River armDirections ↗
5Packers Bay Public Boat RampPublic
Forest Service ramp off I-5 on the Sacramento armDirections ↗
6Hirz Bay Boat RampPublic
Public boat ramp, Lakehead (CA State Parks data)Directions ↗
7Digger Bay MarinaPublic
Boat ramp, 15090 Digger Bay Rd, Shasta Lake (CA State Parks data)Directions ↗
8Sugarloaf ResortPublic
Boat ramp, Sugarloaf (CA State Parks data)Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See California Fish & Wildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Shasta Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Shasta Lake Bait & TackleNearby
3915 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA(530) 356-5575 Directions ↗
Phil's PropellersNearby
3037 Twin View Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA(530) 275-4939 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Shasta Lake ↗

Local tips

Troll spoons and minnow lures 30 to 70 feet deep for trout in warm months.
Only golden shiners, red shiners, fathead minnows, mosquitofish, and threadfin shad may be used as live bait.
Mercury and PCB eating advisories apply, so check guidance before keeping fish.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More California lakes

Lake Almanor Eagle Lake Lake Berryessa Trinity Lake Lake Oroville New Melones Lake Folsom Lake Camanche Reservoir All California lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.