Shasta Lake

CA

California's biggest reservoir, with 365 miles of shoreline and houseboat coves.

40.760°N 122.330°W1,022 ft
BoatingCampingFishingPaddlingRVSwimming
Storage51%of capacity · California Data Exchange Center
Lake level976.2ftCalifornia Data Exchange Center · down · history
Today72°FMostly Cloudy · low 57°F
Wind3 mphSW · NWS

Photo: Borlems · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Shasta LakePartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on Shasta LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Shasta LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Shasta LakeBoatsetter · partner link→
Guides for Shasta LakeBoat rentals →Camping →Fishing →Water level →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Elevation
1,022 ft
Boat ramps
2
Campgrounds
None listed
Fish species
1

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Boat ramp

· 0.6 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Packers Bay Public Boat Ramp

· 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Shasta Marina at Packers Bay

· 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Shasta Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

CampgroundsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Shasta Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

What's biting

Fishing by month

Native lives here naturallyWild introduced, reproduces on its ownStocked planted by the state
SpeciesOriginJFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow troutLast stocked Sep 27, 2026 Stocked

Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.

Guided trips

Book a fishing charter

Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.

Affiliate links
Recent stocking
  • TroutSep 27, 2026
  • TroutSep 20, 2026
  • TroutJun 7, 2026
  • TroutMay 31, 2026
  • TroutMay 3, 2026
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Gear for these fish

Partner links

Rainbow trout

Fly rods, reels and fliesTrident Fly Fishing→Fiberglass fly rods and kitsEpic Fly Rods→Spoons, spinners and minnow luresRapala→

For every angler

Landing nets and fly boxesEGO Fishing→Sun-protective fishing shirtsHook & Tackle→Fishing shirts, shorts and vestsColumbia→

Fishing rules · California

Limits & regulations

● Under review
Limits under reviewWe're confirming the current limits for this water. Until then, check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov) before you fish.
⚑ Check before you go.We update these weekly, but rules can change at any time. For the official rules, see the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov).

Off the water

Nearby trails

Bailey Cove Trailhead

· 2.8 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

  • Gas stationFuel dock
    0.4 mi
  • Shell 14385 Wonderland Boulevard, Redding
    3.7 mi
  • Chevron 14361 Holiday Road, Redding
    3.8 mi
  • Arco
    5.6 mi

Bait and tackle

  • The Fishing HoleBait
    5.9 mi
  • Sportsman's Warehouse 1659 Hilltop Drive · Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00
    12.3 miCall
  • The Hermit’s Hut 3184 Bechelli Lane, Redding
    13.9 mi
  • The Fly ShopBait
    14.7 mi

Groceries and ice

  • Shell
    3.7 mi
  • ampm
    5.6 mi
  • Circle K
    5.7 mi
  • Farmers Market PlaceIce 07:00-22:00
    5.8 miCall

RV dump and fresh water

  • RV dump stationDump station
    15.7 mi

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Shasta Regional Medical CenterEmergency 1100 Butte Street, Redding · 24/7
    12.4 miCall
  • Patients' Hospital of Redding 2900 Eureka Way, Redding
    12.9 miCall
  • Shasta Spine Specialists 153 Hartnell Avenue Suite 300, Redding · Mo-Th 08:30-17:00; Fr 08:30-13:30
    13.4 miCall
  • Mercy Medical Center ReddingEmergency 2175 Rosaline Avenue, Redding · 24/7
    13.5 miCall

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday73°FSunnyWind 2 to 7 mph NE
Sunday71°FSunnyWind 1 to 5 mph SE

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Shasta Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Shasta Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for Shasta Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Boat ramp, Packers Bay Public Boat Ramp, Shasta Marina at Packers Bay.

Where can I launch a boat on Shasta Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Boat ramp, Packers Bay Public Boat Ramp, Shasta Marina at Packers Bay. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

What fish are in Shasta Lake?

Shasta Lake has Rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state.

Is Shasta Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for Shasta Lake lists Trout the week of 2026-09-27. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

What is the water level of Shasta Lake today?

On 2026-10-19, Shasta Lake was at 976.2 feet, 51% of capacity. That's down 2.41 feet from a week earlier. Source: California Data Exchange Center, updated daily.

Is there gas near Shasta Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Gas station, about 0.4 miles from the water. There is also a fuel dock on the water.

Where can I buy bait near Shasta Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: The Fishing Hole (5.9 mi), Sportsman's Warehouse (12.3 mi), The Hermit’s Hut (13.9 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Do I need a fishing license at Shasta Lake?

Yes. In California, anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Upper Sacramento13 mi · 216 cfsWhiskeytown Lake16 mi · 98% fullLake Oroville93 mi · 44% fullClear Lake122 mi

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.