Shasta Lake is a dynamic body of water and it can be a challenge to the most seasoned anglers and guides alike.  The lake is in a state of continuous change which makes nearly every week of the seasons we fish a bit different than the week before.  Water levels change constantly and water temps can change from week to week as well.  The baitfish migrations are constant which moves the trout and salmon around the lake constantly.  One day you find them in one area of the lake and the next day not one sign of them, anywhere!  Pursuing the salmon and trout in Shasta 9-10 months of the year is what keeps us consistently providing our clients with solid opportunities to catch big fish on their day of fishing with us.  Its not always easy, but it happens more often than not throughout the seasons we fish Shasta Lake.  There are certain times of the year when we will focus on different parts of the lake to find bites from the species we are targeting that day.  This time of the year we are mostly chasing brown trout, but sometimes rainbows and Spotted bass are the target.  Our experience shows us that this time of the year offers some of the best rainbow trout and bass fishing high in the lakes arms where most of the Shad in the lake will be holding.  As a general rule, find the bait and you'll find the fish.  From November through January, I'll focus on the upper arms of the lake for brown trout, but by late winter into spring, we are looking for them primarily in the lower arms of the lake and even the main body.  I'm finding almost all of my big browns in twenty feet or less right now and that will remain the case well into April.  As soon as we get continuous warm weather patterns like we usually do in April, we'll see the browns drop down deeper in the water column, sometimes in the 50-60' feet range.  With low lake levels and little inflow to speak of, I think we'll see this pattern sooner than later this year.  We've already seen a rise in surface temps from 49 degrees to 51 degrees in a matter of days this past week.  We'll continue to keep posting Shasta Lake fishing conditions through summer so stay tuned at least weekly from here on out!  We'll also be posting reports and "how to" articles on our website throughout the seasons we fish Shasta Lake.  We're currently taking fishing trip reservations from May through August.  Contact Jaynie at (530) 510-2925 for more info about our trips and available dates.  Thank you!

Capt. Jeff G.