Shasta Lake, California’s largest reservoir by volume, is a vast aquatic environment known for its diverse and productive sport fishery. Spanning over 30,000 acres with nearly 370 miles of shoreline, the lake provides habitat for numerous fish species. This large body of water creates a distinctive “two-story fishery,” allowing both cold-water and warm-water inhabitants to thrive simultaneously in different thermal layers. Active fishery management and natural reproduction make the lake a year-round destination for anglers.
The Coldwater Species: Trout and Kokanee Salmon
The deeper, cooler sections of the lake provide the necessary habitat for coldwater species, which are a major draw for anglers. The most commonly targeted fish is the Rainbow Trout, routinely stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for immediate fishing opportunities. These trout thrive in the lake’s cooler water and are often found suspended at various depths, particularly during warmer months.
Brown Trout are also present, though they are less numerous and sought after for their potential to grow to trophy sizes. The CDFW plants these fish as sub-catchable sizes in a “put-and-grow” strategy, allowing them to mature naturally. Landlocked salmon species, specifically Kokanee Salmon and Chinook Salmon, further populate the deeper water columns. Kokanee are landlocked Sockeye Salmon and are highly prized for their seasonal abundance and excellent table quality.
These coldwater fish rely on the hypolimnion, the coldest layer of the lake, for survival when surface temperatures rise. Anglers often use downriggers and specialized trolling gear to reach the 30- to 70-foot depths where these fish concentrate. This deep, cold water sustains the population throughout the summer months.
The Warmwater Species: Bass, Catfish, and Other Targets
The shallower coves and surface layers of Shasta Lake are home to warmwater game fish. The lake features three distinct bass species that offer varied angling challenges. Spotted Bass is the most abundant species found here.
Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass also inhabit the lake, making it possible to catch all three black bass species during a single outing. Largemouth prefer areas with submerged structure, while Smallmouth Bass gravitate toward rocky points and steeper drop-offs. These warmwater populations are largely self-sustaining through natural reproduction.
Secondary warmwater species include a variety of catfish and panfish. Channel Catfish, White Catfish, and Brown Bullheads are common bottom-dwellers, offering a distinct fishing experience, especially after sunset. Panfish like Black Crappie and Bluegill also populate the lake, providing action for recreational anglers.
Maintaining the Fishery: Stocking and Environmental Factors
The diversity of Shasta Lake’s fishery is attributable to the reservoir’s unique physical structure and active management efforts. The lake’s deep nature results in thermal stratification, creating a distinct boundary known as the thermocline. This layered structure permits the coexistence of warmwater bass and coldwater trout and salmon.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) sustains the coldwater fishery through regular stocking programs. Rainbow Trout are planted as “catchable” size fish in a “put-and-take” model to ensure immediate angling opportunities. Other species, such as Brown Trout and Kokanee Salmon, are introduced as smaller fingerlings in a “put-and-grow” strategy, relying on the lake’s resources to achieve larger sizes.
Management also focuses on maintaining the cold-water pool, which is necessary for the survival of coldwater fish and downstream conservation efforts. The Shasta Dam is equipped with a Temperature Control Device (TCD), a specialized structure with multiple gate openings. This allows managers to selectively release water from specific depths to regulate river temperatures below the dam. This careful control is important, especially during drought years, to protect the coldwater habitat and the endangered Chinook Salmon downstream.