Lake Berryessa Fishing Overview

Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, Lake Berryessa is quite the destination for families, skiers, and most importantly, fishermen. Its expansive 165-mile shoreline is littered with coves, islands, and structure that serves as ideal fishing habitat for most warm-water species, as well as trophy trout and kokanee salmon. Lake Berryessa can seem loaded with large numbers of mid-size bass ranging from 1 to 2 pounds. While giant bass are less common, they do exist and double-digit fish are caught every single year. Trout fishing can be excellent...

Lake Berryessa can seem loaded with large numbers of mid-size bass ranging from 1 to 2 pounds. While giant bass are less common, they do exist and double-digit fish are caught every single year. Trout fishing can be excellent if you understand how to troll deep water, especially during the summer months.

The warm weather sees a massive increase in recreational boaters, campers, and partiers that can overtake the peaceful and quiet fishing conditions most fishermen cherish. So it’s suggested to plan your Lake Berryessa summer fishing trips for mid-week.

Read Less

Species:

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, Spotted Bass, Channel Catfish

Stocked Date:

Trout stocked 1 year ago - View Schedule

Forage / Baitfish:

Golden Shiner, Threadfin Shad

Boating / Access:

Open to all boating

Regulations:

Quagga Mussel Inspection

Geography:

Max Depth: 275 ft

Surface Area: 20,697.6 acres

Surface Elevation: 443 ft

Fishing Reports

Log Report

Lake Berryessa

May 21

Napa County

Public

Excellent Salmon bite

Trout, Bass, Salmon, Crappie

72°F Clear

Water temps are now locked into the 70s... and it's officially salmon season at Berryessa! Reports are coming in with guides pulling good numbers of Kokanee, kings, rainbows (and even crappie) while trolling the lake... especially around the Big and Small islands. Slow trolling has been key, between 1.2–1.5 mph. Pink Hoochies tipped with garlic or tuna soaked corn has been the hot ticket for salmon. Orange Speedy Shiners are doing well for rainbows as well. The key depth has been in the 25–40 ft range.

Bass action continues to be good. Plenty of big fish spotted cruising the shallows and holding in the backs of coves. Stealth fishing has been key... water is so clear fish are spooking quickly and staying tight-lipped. Make those long casts and stay quiet. Small swimbaits, poppers, and finesse stuff have been working best.

Read Less

5 anglers found this report useful

Lake Berryessa

Feb 27

Napa County

Public

Excellent Crappie bite

Bass, Salmon, Crappie

53°F Slightly Stained

Berryessa water is starting to clear again after the recent stretch of storms, and the king salmon bite should pick up where it left off before the wet weather... guides were pulling quick morning limits earlier this month. Surface temps are still in the low 50s, keeping bass mostly deep on soft plastics. The lower end of the lake is running a few degrees warmer, and with air temps pushing into the mid 60s this week, bigger fish should begin sliding shallow in preparation for prespawn. Crappie anglers continue to limit out over deep structure in 40 to 50 feet.

Read Less

4 anglers found this report useful