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California · Fishing
Lakehead sits at the upper end of Shasta Lake, which makes it one of the more practical bases for fishing in the area — you're close to multiple launch points and shoreline spots without having to drive the full length of the reservoir.
10 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 10 spots
Lakehead sits at the upper end of Shasta Lake, which makes it one of the more practical bases for fishing in the area — you're close to multiple launch points and shoreline spots without having to drive the full length of the reservoir. The listings here cover a mix of lake fishing on Shasta Lake itself and river fishing on the arms and inlets that feed it, including spots like Lakeshore East, Nelson Point, and the Hirz Bay area on the northeastern shore. Hirz Bay in particular shows up across several listings, which reflects how consistently it draws anglers — the cove structure holds fish and the group camping nearby means it's a viable multi-day destination. Moore Creek and Ellery Creek round out the river-fishing options for those who prefer moving water over open lake. Shasta Lake is a large, warm-water reservoir, so expect to be targeting bass, catfish, and kokanee salmon depending on the season rather than cold-water trout species. Access to most of these spots is managed by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, so it's worth checking current conditions with the Shasta Lake Visitor Center before you head out, especially after wet winters when road conditions to some launch areas can be unpredictable.
Shasta Lake is a warm-water reservoir best known for largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and kokanee salmon. Striped bass are also present and can run large. The lake does not have the cold-water characteristics of a designated wild trout or gold medal fishery, so if trout fishing is your primary goal, this may not be your best destination.
Hirz Bay is on the northeastern arm of Shasta Lake and takes about 20-25 minutes from central Lakehead via Gilman Road. The cove structure makes it productive for bass, and it has two group camping areas nearby, so it's a reasonable choice if you're planning to stay more than a day. The road into Hirz Bay can be rough after heavy rain, so check conditions before committing.
Dekkas Rock
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Nelson Point
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area (Whiskeytown NRA)
~37 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Alpine View Campground
~44 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Pit River Campground
~1h 10m drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Hirz Bay Group 2
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Bailey Cove
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
DRY CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND (Whiskeytown NRA)
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Ackerman Campground
~46 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Hirz Bay
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lakeshore East
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground
~43 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CA.
Lakeshore East and Nelson Point are listed as river fishing spots, meaning they're likely on the upper Sacramento River arm or inlet channels where moving water meets the reservoir. These areas can hold different fish behavior than open-lake spots, and current speed varies significantly with reservoir levels. When the lake is drawn down, these areas fish more like a river; when it's full, they blend into the main lake.
Yes, a valid California sport fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older fishing at any of these locations. Shasta Lake falls under standard California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, and some species like kokanee salmon may have specific bag limits. Check the current CDFW regulations booklet for Shasta County before your trip since limits and seasons can change year to year.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most active windows for bass on Shasta Lake, particularly in summer when midday water temperatures push fish deeper. Kokanee salmon are typically targeted by trolling during cooler morning hours. Catfish are more active after dark, and the shoreline spots around Moore Creek and Ellery Creek can be worth fishing into the evening.
