Lake Shasta was created as a reservoir through the building of Shasta Dam. Behind Lake Tahoe and the Salton Sea, Lake Shasta is the third largest lake in the state of California. The maximum depth of this lake is over five hundred feet, which makes it idea for popular boating activities such as water skiing, house boating and fishing.



One of the best ways to see all the natural beauty of Lake Shasta is from the comfort of your own houseboat. For many people in northern California and southern Oregon, renting a houseboat at Lake Shasta is a fun and enjoyable vacation. You can spend a quiet time relaxing and drifting around the lake. You can read, play games, swim, and fish or do whatever you want. You can even take in the lovely natural views of Lake Shasta such as McCloud Arm, Sacramento Arm and Pit Arm.

If fishing is more your thing then there is plenty to do as Lake Shasta. In fact the Department of Fish and Game plant some fifty thousand fish every year in the lake. You are sure to catch a fish at Lake Shasta and maybe even a record setting size. The King Salmon in Lake Shasta range between two to twelve pounds and the best time to catch them is between March and September. From May to August you can catch the popular Brown Trout when range from four to ten pounds. Lastly there is the Rainbow Trout, which can be caught between April and September. These are between two to eight pounds.

Although Lake Shasta has no designated swimming areas the warm, clear water makes for wonderful swimming off the back of your houseboat. Or you can swim from anywhere along the 364 miles of shoreline that surround the lake. In fact, Lake Shasta has more shoreline than the San Francisco Bay.

If adventure and sports are more your thing then you can still find plenty to do at Lake Shasta. The warm, clean water is perfect for skiing and wakeboarding. In fact, Lake Shasta even organizes ski boat competitions. There are a variety of boats available to rent all along the shore of Lake Shasta.

You can choose to rent a powerboat for your skiing and wakeboarding needs or if you want a more personal experience there are other options as well. For family vacations consider renting a patio boat for a relaxing time on the water. You can even choose to rent a canoe and spend your time paddling around the lake watching nature whether it is beautiful rock formations or one of the many bird species. You may even be able to spot a bald eagle.

Lake Shasta, California truly has a lot of offer in the way of entertainment and beauty. If you are looking for an enjoyable vacation on the water then consider Lake Shasta for your next boating trip. You won't be disappointed and you will have a great time with all the activities that await you.