Shasta Lake continues to rise slightly through our current dry spell at a rate of about 1/2' foot a day.  Debris is a problem in the upper arms, but water conditions are good.  The river water coming into the lake is around 45-46 degrees and we're not seeing much in the way of trout populations up there.  The middle lake and main body are 48-50 degrees most days and thats where you'll find the best bite right now.  I tend to stay away from water thats above 48 degrees in the winter if possible.  Not a lot of browns showing up just yet, but that could change quickly over the next few weeks.  If current water conditions prevail, we should see a great spring brown trout season on Shasta Lake.  In the meantime the trout and occasional King salmon are showing up most days.  The morning bite is really slow and so has been the late afternoon bite.  Somewhere around 10:00 am we've seen the most action.  Side planers work well early, but by mid day that bite is over.  Downriggers will work, but make sure your set backs are over 100' feet behind the boat.  The winter bite can be great, but we work for our bites most days we fish this time of the year.  This is a trout report, but if bass is your thing, we're seeing the best numbers of bass coming on brightly colored spoons trolled around noon most days.  There are lots of bass boats out on the lake so it must be producing for them.  Call Phil's propeller in Shasta Lake City for a good up to date bass fishing report.  Those guys always know whats up with the bass bite.

Captain Jeff G.