Fishing in Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area spans more than 200,000 acres across Shasta and Trinity counties in northern California, anchored by three large reservoirs built as part of the Central Valley Project.

The recreation area is divided into three units — Whiskeytown, Shasta, and Trinity — each centered on its own lake and managed separately, with the National Park Service overseeing Whiskeytown and the U. S. Forest Service handling the Shasta and Trinity units.

Whiskeytown Lake is the most accessible of the three, sitting just west of Redding. The lake holds rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and bass. Trolling is a common approach for kokanee and trout, and the lake can be fished from a boat or from shore.

A California fishing license issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is required for anyone 16 or older. Some areas may be closed during spawning seasons, so it's worth checking current conditions before you go.

The park encourages barbless hooks and catch-and-release practices, and anglers should come prepared to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Shasta Lake anchors the Shasta Unit to the east.

It's a large reservoir known for rainbow trout, brown trout, and bass fishing.

Water levels fluctuate significantly with seasonal drawdowns, which can affect access and boat ramp conditions — the Shasta Lake Ranger Station at (530) 275-1587 or the concessionaire at (530) 275-8113 can give current status.

Anyone launching a boat on Shasta Lake is required to carry an Invasive Mussel-Free Certification before putting in; possession or transport of golden, zebra, or quagga mussels at the ramps or below the high-water mark is prohibited under Forest Order 14-25-29.

Whiskeytown's creek drainages also hold brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, offering a quieter alternative to the main lake for anglers willing to cover ground on foot.

The three units share geography but not management, and the rules differ between them. Check with the relevant agency — NPS for Whiskeytown, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for the other two — before your trip.

The fishing here rewards preparation more than luck.