GUIDED FISHING TRIPS IN REDDING
WHISKEYTOWN LAKE FISHING GUIDE

Cast Your Worries Away with a Guided Fishing Trip on Whiskeytown Lake! Year-round Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and spotted bass just 15 minutes from Redding, CA. See our Pricing & FAQ for more information.

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Girl holding large fish caught on Whiskeytown Lake, Ca with Kirk Portocarrero
Couple on guided fishing trip on Whiskeytown lake with fish they caught

FISHING GUIDE
WHISKEYTOWN LAKE

Kirk Portocarrero, professional fishing guide since 1988 and Redding, California local, spends over 100 days a year fishing on the Whiskeytown Lake. It is one of his favorite places to fish in Northern California, as it always provides a great day and abundant fish. Allow Captain Kirk to show you some of the best spots on Whiskeytown Lake and advance your skills as a fisherman along the way.

A gorgeous lake located just 15 minutes from downtown Redding, Whiskeytown is a pristine destination that provides year-round fishing for fisherman of any level. The generous waters of Whiskeytown Lake offer a variety of fish including Kokanee salmon, spotted bass, and rainbow trout. With over 3,200 acres of water surface, Whiskeytown is a top location for Kokanee salmon, as these landlocked sockeye salmon can range from 17 to 19 inches.

FISH AVAILABLE & TIME OF YEAR

  • Kokanee Salmon Year-Round

  • Spotted Bass Year-Round

  • Rainbow Trout Year-Round

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Woman in gray cap shows off a Kokanee from a guided Kokanee salmon trip on Whiskeytown Lake.
Three people behind a table with a large salmon catch from an Oregon salmon fishing trip.
Couple smiling on a boat after a king salmon catch during Gold Beach king salmon fishing.
Man wearing sunglasses and black hat shows off a king salmon from Rogue River king salmon guide service.
Man holding a big striped bass during Colusa fishing trip striped bass season on the Sacramento River.
Four people pose with a table of fish after a family-friendly fishing guide trip in Northern CA.
Angler in orange cap shows off a green-yellow Kokanee from guided fishing near Redding CA.
Man and two kids hold salmon on a Chetco River guided salmon fishing trip in Oregon.
Two people on a boat with a cooler of fresh Kokanee sharing a Whiskeytown Lake Kokanee fishing trip.
Several salmon in a bag after salmon fishing July to November Oregon season.
Four people behind a table with fish after a top-rated fishing trip in California.
Smiling man with sunglasses shows a trout from year-round trout fishing Shasta Lake CA.
Woman and man on a boat holding a king salmon from Gold Beach king salmon fishing under clear sky.
Ten fish lined up on a boat after river fishing with Kirk Portocarrero in Northern California.
Three fishing rods ready for action during a guided outdoor adventure Northern California trip.
Freshly caught salmon on ice after salmon fishing charter in Oregon.
Four smiling people with fish after a family fishing trip in Northern California.
Group on a boat with a table of fish after The Original Sac River Guide trip.
Powerboat on Shasta Lake used for trout fishing guide Shasta Lake CA.
Two men pose with salmon after Chetco River salmon fishing in Oregon.
Two anglers on a boat enjoy grilled fish during a Shasta Lake fishing charter.
Raw salmon fillets prepared from Oregon salmon fishing trips catch.
Several pieces of raw salmon fillets on a white cutting board in a seafood processing area.
Raw salmon fillets on a cutting board from Oregon salmon fishing trips catch.
Three men stand behind a table with fish from Colusa striped bass season on the river.
Man in sunglasses, beanie and plaid shirt holds a king salmon from Rogue River king salmon guide service.
Three people, two adults and one child, standing behind a table with freshly caught fish on it in an outdoor setting.
Six people including two kids stand behind a fishing-themed grill after a guided outdoor adventure Northern California.
Man in sunglasses and cap holds trout on a boat during year-round trout fishing Shasta Lake CA.
Three stand behind a table with salmon from Oregon salmon fishing trips in an outdoor setting.
Four men stand behind fish after a family-friendly fishing guide Northern CA outing.
Man in straw hat and sunglasses holds king salmon on a boat during Gold Beach king salmon fishing.
Family group of seven behind a grill with salmon from a salmon fishing charter in Oregon.
Person on a boat holds a rod with a fish during salmon fishing July to November Oregon.
Smiling woman in red hoodie and man in blue jacket stand with salmon from Chetco River guided salmon fishing.
Smiling family of three at a fish station with catch from Redding fishing trips for families in Northern CA.
Woman in sunglasses leans over boat deck with Kokanee from Whiskeytown Lake Kokanee Salmon fishing.
Woman in blue fishing shirt, hat and sunglasses holds a trout from trout fishing guide Shasta Lake CA.
Close-up of a fish jumping out of water with a splash, seen from a split view showing both above and below the water surface, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Young man smiling on a boat holding a large fish caught on a family fishing trip in Northern California with water and hills behind.
Three men behind a sink with drinks outdoors in grass and trees, numerous fish from a guided fishing trip Sacramento River on the counter.
Person holding a silver fish over a white cutting table from a salmon fishing charter in Oregon while another hand with knife prepares it.
Girl, man and boy outdoors behind a fishing-themed countertop with freshly caught fish from a guided outdoor adventure Northern California.
Person fishing on a boat as a fish jumps for the lure during Rogue River king salmon guide trip with mountains and cloudy sky behind.
Fish swimming underwater next to torpedo-shaped device with a person fishing above during Chetco River salmon fishing from a boat.
Three people stand behind a large table with fish, faucets at each end, after a top-rated fishing trip in California rural setting.

Kokanee Salmon Fishing on Whiskeytown Lake

Whiskeytown is one of the best spots in Northern California for Kokanee salmon, and it's available year-round rather than tied to a short window like ocean-run salmon. These landlocked sockeye typically run 17 to 19 inches, and the trick to consistent limits is fishing the right depth for the season — Kokanee move through the water column as the lake temperature shifts, and that's most of what separates a slow day from a good one. Whiskeytown's mild weather makes it a reliable choice even outside peak summer months.

Trout and Bass Fishing on Whiskeytown Lake

Rainbow trout and spotted bass round out the lake's fishery, both available year-round and well suited to anglers who want a relaxed day or are introducing kids to fishing. With 3,200 acres of water and proximity to Redding, Whiskeytown is an easy add-on to a longer trip or a standalone half-day outing.

Trips comfortably accommodate crews of all sizes; see our Pricing & FAQ page for full details on what's included and what to bring.