Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake in Northern California is renowned for its diverse fishery, supporting a wide variety of both warm-water and cold-water fish species. Based on the extensive information available about this reservoir, here’s a comprehensive list of the types of fish found in Shasta Lake:

This list reflects the rich two-story fishery of Shasta Lake, where cold, deep waters support trout and salmon, while warmer shallow areas sustain bass, catfish, and panfish. Species like rainbow trout and Chinook salmon are bolstered by stocking programs from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, while others, such as brown trout and bass, maintain self-sustaining populations. Note that the presence and abundance of some species, like kokanee salmon, can fluctuate over time due to environmental conditions and management practices.

Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout (including German Brown and Kamloop varieties)
Brook Trout
Chinook Salmon (also known as King Salmon; landlocked population)
Kokanee Salmon (landlocked sockeye salmon, though less common in recent years)
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Channel Catfish
White Catfish
Brown Bullhead (a type of catfish)
Bluegill
Green Sunfish
Sturgeon (less commonly targeted but present)
Carp (noted as a species that spawns in the lake)