Napa County, CA · Reservoir
Lake Berryessa
Napa County's big reservoir northeast of the Bay Area — a year-round bass lake (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) with stocked rainbow trout and good crappie and catfish.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Crappie & Channel Catfish — tied at the top (33/100)
5 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Lake Berryessa.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Berryessa
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 5 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- -1799966°F water — below largemouth bass's active range (55–85°f)
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 5
12" minimum, 5/day in lakes/reservoirs (no size limit in rivers/streams).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- -1799966°F water — below smallmouth bass's active range (55–78°f)
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 5
12" minimum, 5/day in lakes/reservoirs.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Rainbow Trout Skip the Rainbow Trout trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- -1799966°F water — below rainbow trout's active range (45–68°f)
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 5
5/day, 10 in possession (12" minimum on most lakes and the Delta).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- -1799966°F water — below crappie's active range (50–80°f)
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 25
25/day in combination with sunfish; no size limit on most waters.
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 33/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- -1799966°F water — below channel catfish's active range (60–85°f)
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
No size limit; 10/day in the Southern and Colorado River districts (no limit elsewhere).
Source: California regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
California
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Lake Berryessa: California CDFW fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Berryessa?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Berryessa you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Berryessa?
Lake Berryessa is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Crappie, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake Berryessa?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Berryessa against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake Berryessa have?
Lake Berryessa has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Berryessa?
state agency regulations apply at Lake Berryessa. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake Berryessa tidal water?
No. Lake Berryessa is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.