TUG IS THE DRUG – MONTHLY SHASTA FISHING REPORT OCTOBER 2025
Fall Patterns Taking Over
Surface waters are cooling, stratification is stronger, and fish are compressing into deeper structure. Expect good early and late-day activity—especially for trout and bass.
Reminder: Â California requires Boater Cards. Stay legit and fish smart.
Lake Shasta
- Water Temp: ~72°F (as of late September)
- Lake Level: ~72.5 feet below full pool (1,067 ft full) as of Sept 24, 2025
Fishing Report:
Bass will still hit in shallower structure during cool early hours, but by mid-day you’ll need to drop into 20–40 ft zones near cover.
Trout, kokanee, and salmon remain active deeper—trolling 40–70 ft using divers, hoochies, spoons, and spinners is your go-to. Fish around main channels, dam area, and deeper arms.
Pro Tip: Use your sonar to find thermocline breaks and concentrate on submerged ridges and dropoffs. Fish may bunch tighter as levels drop further.
Whiskeytown Lake
- Water Temp: Cooling—likely upper 60s to low 70s ℉
- Lake Level: Still held close to summer pool, ~2 ft below full (no major public data to the contrary)
Fishing Report:
Bass remain active near structural cover—weed edges, rockpiles, submerged timber. Use topwater earlier in the day, then switch to soft plastics or small jigs as light fades.
Kokanee and trout are deeper (50–70 ft), but the bite may be more sporadic. Trolling with lighter dodgers and finesse setups may help.
Pro Tip: Smaller dodgers, subtle color patterns, and scented rigs can help coax bites in lower-activity periods.
Trinity Lake
- Water Temp: Cooling into the mid-60s ℉
- Lake Level: Likely ~75–80% full
Fishing Report:
Bass are staging near creek mouths, flats, and dropoff edges. Finesse presentations—Ned rigs, soft jigs, small swimbaits—will work best in 10–25 ft.
Trout and kokanee remain catchable via trolling deeper zones of 30–60 ft near channel edges.
Pro Tip: Best action early and late. Midday bite declines significantly.
Lake Britton
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- Water Temp: ~63°F
- Lake Level: No reliable public current volume figure found; presumed stable with slight seasonal decline
Fishing Report:
Evening hatches are still drawing trout—dry flies, emergers, and nymph rigs remain productive.
Bass (both largemouth and smallmouth) are around structure and deeper points later in day.
Crappie and bluegill hold around brush, docks, and shade—use mini jigs or live bait.
Local Tip: Fish near the inlet or bridge at first light or dusk—you might pick up a mixed bag of species.
Quick Reminders:
- California Boater Card required for motorized vessels
- Clean, Drain, Dry your boat at every ramp to prevent spreading invasives
- Golden Mussel Alert: Expect inspection checkpoints—these mussels are a serious invasive threat, even if not locally established
- Check local water quality advisories before eating your catch (mercury, PCBs)
- Launch early or fish late—cooler temps and lower light yield better action and less crowding
Got a good catch? We want to see it!
Post it, tag us with #TugIsTheDrug #FishShasta, and share your haul. You might be featured in our next Shasta Fishing Report!
Tight lines out there – and always remember: The Tug Is The Drug!
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Shasta Fishing Report prepared by:
