Hey Guys,

I'm heading down to Lake Shasta in February for some fishing and am trying to learn more about the lake. I've never fished for spots and am excited to do so. From what I've researched it looks like deep water fishing (dropshot, spoon, etc..) that time of year. I just got a contour map and it is a big bugger. Any tips or information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I've never fished Shasta but I understand it's pretty good and yes, it's a huge lake. The reason I'm replying to this post is that I just drove past Shasta last week and I wanted to let you know that the water is down probably 200 feet. I couldn't believe how low the water was. All the boat docks were on dry land and the launch ramps that I saw were dry although I did see a couple of boats on the lake so there must be a ramp open somewhere.

 I'd call somebody there to get more info before you make the trip.

   Just my 2 cents.

            Good luck.

Launching will be a pain but I think the sugarloaf ramp is open.

Dropshot, Darthead, Spoon. Enough 11 inch spots to last you your lifetime. Drive around till you find bait, drop a spoon, repeat.

Thanks for the information guys. Do you think they will get any runoff that will raise the water level or do you think they are just using as much as they are getting?

Fourbizz,

Thanks for the pointers. I'm guessing from what your saying on the spoons it that there will be a lot of suspended fish. Should be a good experience as I'm definitely a rookie as far as spoon fishing goes. Looks like another research topic.

Thanks again

http://www.redding.com/photos/galleries/2008/oct/05/relics-exposed-lake-shasta/7477/  Here is a launch ramp that is still in the water  ;D . This is from  Antlers Resort & Marina near Lakeshore Drive in Lakehead.  Do a search for "Lake Shasta Low Water Pics"  You'll find some pretty cool pics from Shasta right now.  

Regarding runoff, we would need some really good rain and a really good snow pack to raise Shasta to an "Operatable" Level.  And by the looks of things right now, it will probably be a pretty bad summer for California Lakes.   .  Personally I think this will be yet another drought summer for us.  Good luck in shasta.  

Thanks for the information guys. Do you think they will get any runoff that will raise the water level or do you think they are just using as much as they are getting?

Fourbizz,

Thanks for the pointers. I'm guessing from what your saying on the spoons it that there will be a lot of suspended fish. Should be a good experience as I'm definitely a rookie as far as spoon fishing goes. Looks like another research topic.

Thanks again

There will definitely be many suspended fish, but also many that are tight to bottom. These fish will eat spoons readily, even better when there is bait over their head. If you find fish under bait at a specific depth, that are difficult to get on the spoon or drop shot, move to structure and find the same depth. There will likely be fish and bait near bottom there that are easier to target.

You would be hard pressed to find a reservoir in california that is less than 50ft low. Even small, under 500 acre lakes are 50 or more. Clear Lake and the delta are much less than that, but even clear lake, with an average depth of only 21ft is like 7 ft low. Pretty dang ugly out here water wise. I think one winter and spring of record breaking precipitation wouldnt get most of the larger lakes back to full pool. Some of our 10,000 plus acre reservoirs are at <35% capacity! And all of their ourflows have to be maintained at a certain level, even during drought, to sustain salmon and steelhead. Add to that the fact that this BS state sends most of northern california's water to Los Angeles and San Diego, and our lakes are in bad, bad shape.

Our lakes in So-Cal are not much better for capacity. Many lakes are closed to launching right now. The entire state is in desperate need of water. Now with the Q Mussle around it screwed us from getting water from the Colorado River too. I sure hope we get some rain and/or snow where we need it.

The low water situation is the pitts. We are having a heck of a winter so I guess I assumed NO CAL was getting it to. It sounds like you need it. Thanks again for the info.