Lake Berryessa Fishing Report 2024 [Tips, Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

It can be a challenge to break down Lake Berryessa and decide to get started, but that’s why we’re helping you with this Lake Berryessa Fishing Report!

This lake is the spot for bass fishing and it’s not hard to see why. With a variety of fish such as catfish, Chinook and kokanee salmon, brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, spotted bass, and bluegill, you’re bound to have a reel good time… ok, ok, I promise that was my last Dad joke.

Let’s dive in and talk about some key aspects of fishing in Lake Berryessa.

Water Clarity:

One of the things that sets Lake Berryessa apart from other lakes is its crystal clear water. With an average visibility of 15 to 20 feet, you’ll be able to see everything beneath the surface. The water clarity is largely due to the lack of inflowing rivers, which keeps the water clear year-round. This feature makes it easy to spot potential fishing hotspots, and also makes it easier to identify what the fish are biting on.

Fishing Structures and Cover:

Lake Berryessa is home to a variety of fishing structures and covers. The most common structures include:

• Drop-offs: These are great spots for bass fishing because they provide a quick change in depth, which creates a perfect ambush point for bass waiting for their prey.
• Points: These structures are created by the jutting out of land into the lake, and they are a popular spot for bass fishing because they are a great ambush point for fish waiting for prey to swim by.
• Humps: These structures are underwater hills that rise from the lake’s bottom. They are great spots for bass fishing because they create a feeding zone for bass to wait and ambush prey as it swims by.

In terms of fishing covers, Lake Berryessa is full of them. The most common covers include:

• Brush piles: These are created when fishermen drop trees or bushes into the water. They provide great cover for bass and are a great spot for them to hide.
• Rocks: These are a common cover in Lake Berryessa and are great for bass fishing because they provide shelter and hiding spots for fish.
• Weed beds: These are a popular spot for bass fishing because they provide great cover and hiding spots for fish.

Spring Fishing Update On Lake Berryessa

During the spring months at Lake Berryessa in California, the air temperature typically ranges from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. 

Wind speed and direction can vary but are often light to moderate and predominantly out of the southwest. 

The occasional breeze can make for some great topwater action, so keep your eyes on the weather report and pack your favorite poppers and buzzbaits.

As for water temperature, it can vary depending on the depth and location on the lake. In the spring, the surface temperature can range from the high 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit. The deeper water, especially near the dam, can be slightly cooler. 

With the warming water temperatures, the bass will start moving shallower and become more active, so it’s a great time to hit the water and start targeting those hungry fish.

The spawning season for largemouth bass typically begins in March and lasts through June, with peak spawning activity occurring in May. 

During this time, bass can be found in the shallower areas of the lake, near the shoreline and in coves, where they build nests on the bottom of the lake using rocks, gravel, and other materials. 

Some of the best spots for bass fishing during spawning season include:

• the inlets of Putah Creek
• Pope Creek
• and north of the northern bridge

Trout and salmon also spawn in Lake Berryessa, typically during the fall season. The trout spawning season begins in October and lasts through November, while the salmon spawning season begins in November and lasts through December. 

These fish can be found in the cooler, deeper waters of the lake during the spawning season, making trolling an effective method of catching them.

The water temperature plays a crucial role in the spawning process of fish. For bass to start spawning, the water temperature needs to be around 60°F. 

In Lake Berryessa, the water temperature typically reaches this range from late February to early March, making this the ideal time to fish for bass.

Post Spawn Patterns

After spawning, bass and trout will move to deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures and food. 

In Lake Berryessa, these fish can often be found near drop-offs, underwater ledges, and submerged structures, such as trees and boulders. 

Some of the best locations for finding bass and trout after spawning include:

• Areas around Big Island
• Southern end of the lake near the dam
• Wragg Canyon Inlet

Summertime Fishing Is Heating Up on Lake Berryessa!

During the summer months of May, June, July, and August, Lake Berryessa experiences some hot and dry weather patterns. 

The average air temperature can range from the mid-70s to the low 100s Fahrenheit, depending on the month. 

In July and August, the weather is at its hottest, with temperatures frequently reaching triple digits… man, if there is no wind and the weather is brutal! 

Wind speed can vary but tends to be calmer in the morning and pick up in the afternoon.

Berryessa water temps during the summer

The water temperature in Lake Berryessa during summer is warm and typically averages between 70 to 80 degrees. 

But its important to know this temperature can significantly impact fishing presentations for bass and trout. 

Bass tend to become more active (because their metabolism is crazy) and will move to deeper waters during the hottest parts of the day to stay cool…  but they will eat all day long, even in the middle of the afternoon. 

Trout will also tend to go deeper in the water column, where the cooler water temperatures can be found.

During the summer months, the primary forage for both bass and trout in Lake Berryessa is baitfish. 

Threadfin shad and crawdads are some of the most common types of forage, and many anglers will use lures or bait that mimic these types of prey.

Some of the best techniques to catch trout and Kokanee on Lake Berryessa during the summer are:

• Trolling with downriggers and leadcore lines at various depths.
• Casting and retrieving lures such as spinners, spoons, and plugs.
• Fishing with bait, either on a bobber or a Carolina rig.

Here are 5 common baits to catch trout and kokanee in the summer:

• Berkley PowerBait in various colors and scents.
• Pautzke Balls O’ Fire salmon eggs.
• Needlefish spoons by Luhr-Jensen.
• Wedding rings by Mack’s Lure.
• Kastmaster lures by Acme Tackle.

Some specific location names where you can catch trout and Kokanee on Lake Berryessa during the summer are:

• The Narrows, a deep channel between Big Island and the mainland. In my opinion, this is one of the best areas.
• Skiers Cove, a popular spot for water sports where fish tend to congregate.
• The inlets of Putah Creek, Pope Creek, and Steel Canyon, where trout and Kokanee can be found in cooler water flowing in from tributaries.

When it comes to catching bass on Lake Berryessa during the summer, there are a few techniques and types of baits that tend to be most effective. Here are some tips to help you land some big bass:

Best Techniques:

• Fishing around structures: Look for structures like docks, trees, and brush piles where bass may be hiding out. Fish these areas thoroughly and try to cast your bait as close to the structure as possible.
• Drop shotting: This technique involves using a weight at the bottom of the line with a hook and bait above it. It is an effective way to target fish that are hiding in deeper water.
• Topwater fishing: During early morning and evening hours, bass may be feeding near the surface. Use topwater lures to imitate prey like frogs, insects, or small fish.

Fast Moving Baits:

• Spinnerbaits: A popular bait that imitates a baitfish, with blades that create vibration and flash to attract bass. Some popular brands include Strike King, Booyah, and War Eagle.
• Crankbaits: Designed to dive to a certain depth and create a wobbling action that mimics a swimming baitfish. Some popular brands include Rapala, Strike King, and Megabass.
• Chatterbaits: These lures have a unique blade that creates a vibration and flash in the water, imitating a fleeing baitfish. Some popular brands include Z-Man, Booyah, and Strike King.
• Swimbaits: These soft plastic lures imitate baitfish and are often fished with a weighted hook to create a swimming action. Some popular brands include Keitech, Huddleston Deluxe, and Basstrix.
• Jigs: Jigs are versatile baits that can be fished in a variety of ways, but a fast retrieve can imitate a fleeing baitfish. Some popular brands include Strike King, Booyah, and Biwaa.

Slow Presentation Baits:

• Worms: Soft plastic worms are a staple of bass fishing and can be fished with a variety of techniques. Some popular brands include Zoom, Roboworm, and Berkley.
• Tubes: These soft plastic baits imitate crawfish and can be fished on a jig head or Texas-rigged. Some popular brands include Strike King, Zoom, and Yamamoto.
• “Senkos”: These soft plastic stick baits commonly known as “Senkos” are versatile and can be fished a ton of different ways including weightless, wacky-rigged, or Texas-rigged. Some popular brands include Yum, Strike King, and of course Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits.
• Ned Rigs: These small finesse baits are often fished with a slow retrieve and can be effective when bass are finicky. Some popular brands include Z-Man, Strike King, and Roboworm.
• Creature Baits: These baits imitate crawfish or other creatures and can be fished slowly on a Texas-rig or jig. Some popular brands include Strike King, Berkley, and Zoom.

Specific Locations:

• Big Island: This island in the middle of the lake offers a variety of structures, including rocky points and submerged brush. Fishing around the edges of the island with Texas-rigged worms or jigs can be effective.
• Markley Cove: This is a popular area for bass fishing and has plenty of structures and cover to explore.
• The Narrows: This area between Markley Cove and Steele Canyon is known for its deep water and rocky structure, making it a good spot to target bass with deep diving crankbaits or jigs.
• Wragg Canyon: This narrow canyon on the east side of the lake.  This area has deep water and rocky structures that can hold bass during the summer months. It offers shallow flats and deeper water, making it a good spot to try a variety of techniques. Fishing a drop shot or shaky head rig around rocky structure can be effective in this area.

Lake Berryessa is home to a variety of game fish besides bass, trout, and kokanee salmon. Here are some of the other types of game fish that can be caught in this lake, along with some tips on how to catch them:

1. Catfish – To catch catfish in Lake Berryessa, anglers typically use stink bait or cut bait. Night fishing can be particularly productive, as catfish are more active during the cooler hours of the day. Popular locations for catfishing include the Putah Creek Inlet, Pope Creek Inlet, and north of the northern bridge.
2. Bluegill – Bluegill can be caught using a variety of baits, including worms, crickets, and small jigs. They are often found in shallow water near vegetation or structure, and can be caught using a variety of techniques, including bobber fishing and fly fishing.
3. Sunfish – Sunfish can also be caught using small jigs, worms, or crickets. They are often found near structure or submerged vegetation, and can be caught using a variety of techniques, including bobber fishing and fly fishing.
4. Crappie – Crappie can be caught using small jigs or minnows, and are often found near submerged structure or vegetation. They can be caught using a variety of techniques, including vertical jigging and spider rigging.
5. Striped Bass – Striped bass can be caught using live bait, such as shad or anchovies, or by trolling with lures such as swimbaits or crankbaits. They are often found near schools of baitfish, and can be caught at various depths depending on the time of day and water temperature.