Lower Sac & Lake Shasta Fly Fishing Report

Dave Neal of Reel Adventures Guide Service reports on March 28th, 2025

Lower Sacramento River near Redding

The current outflow from Keswick Reservoir is 8500cfs, with no changes forcasted by the BOR. The last 15k flow increase did some good in flushing out some of the dirty water we were experiencing these past few weeks. The clarity has improved substantially the last few days. 

We have enjoyed beautiful days on the river - between storms - with a few afternoons touching the 80 degrees mark. The next few days look like a return to unsettled weather with on/off rain showers and high winds. Winds can make fishing difficult on the mighty Sacramento River and it’s my least favorite “condition” to fish in. 

Despite a snowstorm in Redding last Friday, we still went out, had the river to ourselves, and enjoyed great fishing. But back to the wind… the windy days are horrible. I’d honestly rather fish in snow and rain than a high wind day (gusts over 25mph). Check the forecast and plan accordingly. 

As far as the fishing? To be bluntly honest… it has been tough on most days! Any honest guide who has fished this river for many years will admit that there have been some scratchy days out there. But… we may be slowly turning the corner to better conditions soon. 

I’ll use bullet points:

• The hatches have been weak so far this spring. Some PMD's at midday. Not much to get the trout excited.
• It has been an egg game these past few weeks.  If your egg game is not strong - then you will have a difficult time getting consistent grabs. The Sac is an egg-centric river at certain times of the year.
• Up until recently the water was dirty. Brown dirty. Water conditions have improved after that last 15k flow pulse. But another reason why the egg program is important… visible food. 
• Many trout have been on redds and spawning - so they have been out of the game & not feeding. We have noticed more trout returning to the feeding lanes lately and in post-spawn recovery mode. These numbers will increase over the next few weeks - which will bring more players back.
• There are other points for a longer discussion later - on why I think the Sac is not quite its old self … but for the sake of brevity I’ll stop here.

*Lastly, keep in mind the Sundial Bridge section closes on April 1st. Fishing will soon be closed from Keswick Dam to the Highway 44 Bridge.

Shasta Lake Bass

The bright spot in Redding area fishing right now is the bass fishing on Shasta Lake! We have encountered a lot of cookie cutter spotted bass and a few strong pulling smallmouth during our recent trips on the lake.

Spring season fishing is some of the best bass fishing you will encounter with the fly rod all year long. It is Prime Time right now and for the next few weeks as the water temps slowly increase. 

If you have never chased bass on a fly rod you really should consider trying it this spring. Many our Nor Cal reservoirs are full pool and in prime shape right now. I’m sure this fish report will be full of excellent options from the guides in Sacramento area to Chico to Redding. 

Spotted bass have begun entering the shallower water in mass along steep banks and big points making it easier for the float n fly and stripping methods. 

Pre-spawn mode makes them aggressive and grouped up and in numbers that will keep you busy. We literally forget how many by lunchtime. This is a great day for beginners to seasoned anglers, kids to older folks that want to fish from the comfort of a boat. Bass fishing offers lots of repetitive casting practice and lots of fish fighting practice!

Don’t have a boat or kayak? It’s getting very close to the time of year where you can simply walk the shoreline and fish for bass right off the banks. Go hit your local fly shop and get the scoop and flies to fish the banks of any of the CA reservoirs and ponds that have bass and other sunfish. 

My available days are:

April 7-11, 13-15, 21-30

May 5-7, 13, 14, 27, 28