CURRENT

Mark M. with some fat Whiskeytown Kokes

The 2012 spring fishing at Shasta and Trinity Lakes is off to a great start. At Shasta, rainbows are being caught in the top 20' using any shad imitating lures and wiggle hoochies. Trinity has been producing 3 to 4 lb Kings in depth range from 60 to 100' in the main body of the lake.

The 2011 Spring Fishing on Whiskeytown and Shasta Lakes has been exceptional. As of this date, both lakes are near full capacity and running slightly colder than normal. All tributaries of Shasta are producing fish. The upper McCloud (Hertz Bay area) has been producing a good number of German Browns, rolling Shad and large lures such as Apex's are working. The upper Sacramento arm is pumping out nice rainbows averaging 1.5 to 2 lbs using Wiggle Hoochies, Humdingers and Apex's behind Sling Blades. The Pitt is muddy, however the points are also producing 2+ lb Rainbows in the top 10 feet with Humdingers behind Sling Blades. A few Salmon are being caught in front of the dam and in Dry Creek with Paddle Tails behind large Sling Blades and Wiggle Hoochies. The Kokanee bite at Whiskeytown is on fire with quick limits being the norm. Both sides of the bridge are producing Kokes in the 14" to 17 1/2" range and they are really plump. Cover depth ranges from 20' to 45' using Wiggle Hoochies and Apex's behind Sling Blades. Good luck!

The Kokanee bite on Whiskeytown is in full swing with limits being the norm. Surface temp is currently ranging from 68 to 70 degrees and the fish are schooling in depths from 30' to 60'. UV Apex's and Wiggle Hoochies behind UV Sling Blades are consistenly productive in the main body of the lake.

The quickly changing weather conditions in the Redding area are making for a tough Kokanee bite. The water temperature is 48 degrees on the surface and the fish are scattered. Fishing at the cold water curtain has been the most productive area and covering the top 40'. Shasta Tackle Wiggle Hoochies (Orange and White) and UV Apex's both trolled behing STC UV Sling Blades.

I started fishing Whiskeytown in mid-March this year, kind of early of WT Kokes but results were favorable. The bite isn't red-hot as yet but you can get a limit if you work at it. The fish are scattered in various locations (bridge, curtain, main body and dam), water is 48 to 50 degrees and the fish are in the top 40'. Best results come on Apex's and Wiggle Hoochies trolled behind UV Sling Blades. The Plankton Bloom should take off in early April and the bite should improve as well as the size of the fish. Goood luck!