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LAKE SHASTA SPOTTED BASS
(Redding) Before the big, torrential storms pounded the Sacramento River watershed, anglers were finding top-notch spotted bass action at Lake Shasta.
“Anglers were catching lots of fish in the 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 pound range before the storms,” said Tony Messer at Phil’s Propellers. “Boaters found the top action while using Senkos and dart head-rigged worms in green Pumpkin patterns. Fishing 25 to 40 feet deep in the main body is your best bet.”
Brian McDermott of Anderson caught the biggest bass reported lately, a 7 lb. spot, during a recent FLW tournament.
During the storms, the average daily runoff into Shasta went up to 45,165 cfs.. If the wet weather continues as meteorologists are forecasting, we could see a full Lake Shasta this spring. The reservoir was 980 feet in elevation, 87 from full, and rising at press time.
The windy weather has kept most trout fishermen off the water. For maximum success on rainbow and brown trout, Messer advised anglers to top-line troll with Cripplures, Hum Dingers, Kastmasters and small Rapalas.
“Most of the rainbows go 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds,” he stated. “The best area is near the dam.”
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Great Places to Fish
This area offers a wide variety of fishing. Among the more popular fishing spots are the McCloud River and the upper Sacramento River. These two rivers feature native trout and are favorites of fly fishermen. Shasta and Claire Engle lakes are man-made, large, and populated by largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, and the usual assortment of sunfish and cats. These lakes are great for camping. Boat traffic can be a little heavy during peak season. Whiskeytown Lake has the coldest lake water in the area and the smallmouth and trout fishing can be excellent.
There are alpine lakes, many almost unfished because they are in wilderness areas. Some, however, are only a short walk from the trailhead. You can find brook, cutthroat, and rainbows in these lakes. Fish and Game has had a program for about 10 years stocking some lakes in the Trinity, Russian, and Marble Mountain Wilderness areas with golden trout. These alpine fish are on the small side but there are a lot of them.
Kangaroo Lake near Callahan has a handicapped campground and concrete sidewalks on one side of the lake for wheelchair fishing. There are some 4 pound rainbows to be caught there. The upper Klamath River around Yreka boasts fantastic trout fishing in late spring and summer months. The fall run of salmon can provide nonstop action for fish in the 10 to 12 pound class. There is also a healthy steelhead run. Because the fish are smaller than other rivers in the area, the run doesn't get as much attention or fishing pressure as other Northern California rivers.
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