Lake Shasta Landlocked Chinooks

[nipper]

Well it looks like I'll be lazing around a houseboat on Lake Shasta the first week of July. I am bringing my Smokercraft down and am toying with the idea of going after some of the landlocked Chinook (and also trout) in the lake. So I am looking for tips on how to do this. From what I've read I'll have to get about 100ft down. So my questions are:

1. What's a good manual downrigger?
2. What would be some good spots to fish?
3. What are some good baits/lures and techniques?

Thanks for any help.

Nipper

[Son of an Okie]

Nipper,

I can answer 2 and 3, don't know anything about downriggers though. Most of the Chinook are caught around the dam in the deeper water, 80-100 feet. The bait of choice over the years has been the trusty anchovy, either trolled or mooched. If you have a good depth finder, find the thermocline and fish just above or just below it. That's the depth they'll be in. Check with the locals down there and see what's new and working this year for other options.

For a change of pace, get some broken back Rapalas (I like the smaller ones in either black or blue on their back, flashy silver on the belly) and troll up in the arms around the points for smallmouths and browns. There are some really nice brown trout in that lake, as well as some good sized rainbows if you take the time to find them.

And don't forget the trusty minnow bucket for night fishing!

[nipper]

Thanks for the tip SOAO. Just never caught a landlocked salmon, so curiosity must be appeased. I think I'll plan on multiple species. I'll definitely do a little nocturnal angling too.

Nipper

[Son of an Okie]

Have a great time down there, Shasta is a neat lake. Night time brings out the crappie and some awesome channel cat fishing. There are some pretty good sized channels in there, be prepared. My uncle caught an 18 pounder in the middle of the day in the deeper water at the mouth of a cove on a dead minnow. Take some portable shade with ya, it will be hot!

[BigFish]

Never fished for salmon there, but trout can be had just about anywhere in the main body. I have never been to deep, but then I go in the spring or fall, so the fishing is better and the lake is more peacefull. I like the McCloud arm best for trout. Call Bridge Bay marina for report 530.275.3021