It’s a fishing day

Shasta Lake fishing conditions · California

Now until 5 pmSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 76.

Log a trip here
Right now: 76 for smallmouth bass, worth the trip · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 761 pm
  2. 76
  3. 76
  4. 764 pm
  5. 64
  6. 64
  7. 647 pm
  8. 64
  9. 64
  10. 6410 pm
  11. 64
  12. 66Sun
  13. 661 am
  14. 66
  15. 66
  16. 744 am
  17. 74
  18. 74
  19. 747 am
  20. 74
  21. 66
  22. 6410 am
  23. 64
  24. 64
  25. 641 pm
  26. 66
  27. 66
  28. 644 pm
  29. 64
  30. 64
  31. 647 pm
  32. 64
  33. 64
  34. 6410 pm
  35. 64
  36. 64Mon
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
3 mph

From the south-southeast

Flow
213 cfs

steady · -3% in 24 h

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:59 pm

Sky
Sunny

No rain expected

Air
65°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are California regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

76Worth the tripNow until 5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Lakes, reservoirs and the Delta: 12" minimum, 5 black bass a day, open all year. Rivers, streams and ponds entirely on private land have no size limit (still 5 a day). Hodges, Casitas, Barrett, Upper Otay and a few other waters have their own rules.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · California

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Year-round, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

76Worth the tripNow until 5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Lakes, reservoirs and ponds: 5 trout a day, 10 in possession, open all year with no size limit.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · California

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Nov–Apr, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on rainbow trout

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

70Worth the tripNow until 5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Largemouth bass bite in 55–85° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

12" minimum · 5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Lakes, reservoirs and the Delta: 12" minimum, 5 black bass a day, open all year. Rivers, streams and ponds entirely on private land have no size limit (still 5 a day). Hodges, Casitas, Barrett, Upper Otay and a few other waters have their own rules.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · California

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Year-round, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on largemouth bass

Crappie

Crappie

Pomoxis spp.

70Worth the tripNow until 5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Crappie bite in 50–80° water, best near 65°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

25 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 25 sunfish and crappie a day combined, no size limit. Hodges and El Capitan have a 10" crappie minimum; Barrett and Upper Otay are catch and release.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · California

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Mar–May, Oct–Jan, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on crappie

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

70Worth the tripNow until 5 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Channel catfish bite in 60–85° water, best near 75°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. No catfish limit in most of California. The Southern and Colorado River districts are 10 a day, and some listed county and park lakes are 5.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · California

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Dec, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on channel catfish

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River213 cfs · steady · -3% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.09 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:59 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:48 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Major solunarTonight 10:10 pm–12:10 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:00 am–7:00 am
  • Major solunarTomorrow 10:30 am–12:30 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. California CDFW has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

California's largest reservoir, a sprawling multi-arm lake in the far north — strong spotted and largemouth bass, smallmouth on the rock, plus rainbow trout and catfish.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Trinity River (Lewiston)26 mi · CaliforniaBest now until 5 pm
100Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Shasta Lake?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Shasta Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Shasta Lake?

Shasta Lake is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Shasta Lake?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Shasta Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Shasta Lake have?

Shasta Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Shasta Lake?

state agency regulations apply at Shasta Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Shasta Lake tidal water?

No. Shasta Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.