Fishing Warner Grade Reservoir in Shasta County, California

• Overview

  Shasta County, California, is where Warner Grade Reservoir sits. The water sits 2,917 feet up. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. Most waters listed here for Shasta County are larger. The nearest town is Burney, 11 miles away. McCloud is 34 miles and Dunsmuir 39 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Warner Grade Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Shasta County names Chinook salmon, green sturgeon and rainbow trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Fish Warner Grade Reservoir to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 34°F in January up to 67°F in July. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Anyone fishing Warner Grade Reservoir regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records show it does not hold water year-round. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Soldier Mountain Reservoir, 1.8 miles out. Signs at Warner Grade Reservoir carry more weight than any list.