Lake Berryessa, California - Fishing & Camping Information

Fish Species

• Anad. Salmon
• Bass
• Catfish
• Hatchery Trout
• Inla Salmon
• Panfish

Lake Berryessa is the largest lake in Napa County, CA. This reservoir is formed by the Monticello Dam, which provides water and hydroelectricity to the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The lake is heavily used for recreational purposes and encompasses over 20,000 acres when full. The reservoir is approximately 15.5 miles long, but only three miles wide. It has approximately 165 miles of shoreline. It has a seaplane landing area that is open to the public. Popular activities include waterskiing, jet skiing, pleasure boating, kayaking and canoeing, hiking, road bicycling, motorcycle pleasure biking, birding, wildlife observation, picnicking, and swimming.

Lake Berryessa is a swimming and waterskiing site for enthusiasts. The narrow portion of the reservoir, nearest to the Monticello Dam, is referred to as the "Narrows," and is sometimes busy with boaters on holidays and weekends. There are several resorts with marinas at the lake, as well as nearby Lake Solano County Park located west of Winters, CA. Day use areas include Oak Shores and Smittle Creek. There are swimming areas closed to boats and other watercraft, as well as several hiking trails.

Fish species in Lake Berryessa include bluegill, brown trout, channel catfish, Chinook salmon, green sunfish, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, spotted bass, white catfish, Sacramento squawfish and landlocked steelhead. The introduced species of carp is also present and feeds on organic matter as well as fish eggs. The east side of the lake has a 2,000-acre Wildlife Management Area that protects wildlife habitats for such species as mountain lion, black-tailed deer, western rattlesnake, raccoon, skunk, osprey and golden eagle.