Fishing

There is a vast selection of fishing opportunities at Lake Berryessa ranging from catching large game to a casual trip with the family. This is largely due to the huge diversity among the community of game fish that reside in Lake Berryessa. Some of these game species include rainbow trout, channel catfish, chinook salmon, bluegill, sunfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and common carp.

Since Berryessa is a freshwater reservoir, the bass populations are common targets of fishermen who come to visit. There is opportunity for catching both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fishermen in search of largemouth bass should travel to a location known as the Gosling Canyon Inlet. This is a small cove on the eastern side of the lake that is known for its concentration of largemouth bass. Once in this area, anglers should use a light to medium weight rod equipped with light tackle such as spinners, jigs, crankbaits, and buzzbaits. Artificial minnows and nightcrawlers are also effective. Fishermen targeting the smallmouth variety of bass should test their luck at the locations known as Pleasure Cove or the Quarry Canyon Inlet. Both of these areas have the weed beds and obstructions that smallmouth bass prefer to hide in.

Fishermen should target smallmouth bass using a light rod or a fly rod. Light tackle such as jigs and topwater lures are effective.

The rainbow trout is also a species that is frequently targeted by Berryessa fishermen. The best location for catching rainbow trout is near the turbulent water of the dam due to the species' preference of cold, moving water. Fly fishermen often target trout, but light tackle from a medium weight rod can also be used.  

The most notable panfish of Lake Berryessa are bluegill and sunfish. These species can be found throughout the lake's shallow waters, but Schoolhouse Island is a great location to test. Light tackle setups should be used for optimal results.

Fishermen who enjoy trolling will most likely target the chinook salmon. Anglers should travel to deep waters of the lake, as chinook salmon roam the entire lake. This species can be targeted at a trolling speed of 2 to 5 miles per hour and can put up quite the fight. Large spoons and frozen herring should be equipped to trolling rigs when targeting this popular species.

Facilities

There are numerous facilities at Lake Berryessa that will ensure that visits are enjoyable. These facilities include two marinas, eight boat ramps, tackle shops, lodging, fueling stations, and grocery stores.

The Lake

Lake Berryessa is a large body of water. It covers a total area of 20,700 acres. This lake has a length of 16 miles and a width of 3 miles. At its deepest point, Berryessa is 275 feet. It has 165 miles of shoreline.

Fishermen who enjoy freshwater fishing with opportunities for large game will find a trip to Lake Berryessa to be quite memorable.

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