The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Whiskeytown Lake
Shasta County, California · 3,460 acres (5.4 sq mi)
57°F water, windy Friday (15 mph S).
About Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake spreads over 3,460 acres in Shasta County, California. Whiskeytown Lake is known for its clear water, with underwater visibility commonly around 30 feet.
It stretches about 4.1 miles end to end with roughly 18.5 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 1,200 ft above sea level. It reaches about 264 ft at its deepest. Shasta is about 2 miles southeast.
- Size
- 3,460 acres (5.4 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 264 ft
- Shoreline
- About 18.5 miles
- End to end
- About 4.1 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,200 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- County
- Shasta County
- Water
- Known for clear water (about 30 ft visibility)
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Slow
- 6:15 am – 7:00 amsunrise
- 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 3 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 3 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 3 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Whiskeytown Lake
The fish here: trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and sunfish, crappie and catfish. With the surface at 57°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodTrout
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- GoodKokanee salmon
Good trolling. Work deeper as the day warms.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairSmallmouth bass
Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
- FairSpotted bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:54 am · sunset 4:53 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Whiskeytown Lake
- Shastaabout 2 mi southeast
- Reddingabout 7.2 mi east
- Central Valley (historical)about 9.1 mi east
- Shasta Lakeabout 9.1 mi east
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Questions about Whiskeytown Lake
What fish are in Whiskeytown Lake?
Whiskeytown Lake holds trout, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and sunfish, crappie and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Whiskeytown Lake?
About 264 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Whiskeytown Lake?
3,460 acres, with about 18.5 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Whiskeytown Lake?
Shasta is about 2 miles southeast; Redding is about 7.2 miles east.
What is the water temperature at Whiskeytown Lake today?
The surface was about 57°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Whiskeytown Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
