Its known for being one of the best NorCal Kokanee lakes, and days like today explain why it has earned that title. Whiskeytown Lake is just 8 miles west of Redding, Ca. along SR 299, and has many recreational opportunities available to take advantage of. Its known by me to be one of the premier fishing destinations in the region, most notably for Kokanee salmon. It has a fantastic Kokanee season which normally begins in late spring, but it is important to note that it is open to fishing year round. The Kokanee fishing generally isn't that good until the water begins to warm up in the spring, but this high water year has proven to be altogether different.


As I worked feverishly in the Shasta Bass Baits "bait lab" this morning, a good friend and fellow fishing guide, Anthony Cox, had a scheduled Kokanee fishing trip with a couple of Myoutdoorbuddy readers from the Eureka area this morning. As the day began, I sent a message to Anthony asking that he give me an update on the fishing when he could. At about 0830 this morning, he replied back and said, "we just need another one to get a 15 fish limit! A short time later, Anthony sent me another message telling my they were done for the day. I knew the fishing had been good on Whiskeytown for a while now, but was surprised that 1 1/2 hr limits were going to happen.


Now I talk about Whiskeytown Lake being very productive, but its all too easy to say that when I fish with and fish around the top Kokanee fishing guide on Whiskeytown Lake. Anthony Cox is the undisputed king of the Kokanee in these parts and has that fishery really dialed in. Fishing with him has definitely made me a better Kokanee fisherman. If you would like to learn how to fish Whiskeytown Kokanee or would just like to get out and catch a bunch of fish that are top shelf table fare, give AC Guide Service a call and book a trip with him. Anthony limits (5 Kokanee pp) his clients quickly most days and has a very affordable $150 pp rate for Kokanee. He can be reached at (408) 891-0983 or you can send him an email at [email protected].

Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.