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Lake Berryessa Lodging & Recreation Guide

 
 

Lake Berryessa Guide

Resorts & Marinas

Cabins

RV Parks & Camping

Restaurants

Recreation

Boat Launch Areas

Day Use Facilities

Game Fish

Fishing Methods & Bait

Bag Limits

Lake Information

Location

Groceries - Delis - Bait

Directions

Licenses & Regulations

Mercury Advisory

Resources

Lake Sonoma

Rods & Reels

Fishing Accessories

 
 
Resorts & Marinas
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
707-942-4575 or 800-444-7275
3801 St. Helena Hwy. North
St. Helena, CA 94574                       
Canyon Creek Resort
530-795–4133 - Fax 530-795–4141
22074 State Hwy. 128,
P.O. Box 685, Winters, CA 95694
Markley Cove Resort
707-966-2134 or 800-242-6287
7251 Hwy 128,
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
Calistoga Campground
Napa County Fairgrounds
707-942-5111
1435 Oak Street,
Calistoga, CA 94515
Pleasure Cove Resort
707-966-2172
6100 State Hwy. 128
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
Putah Creek Resort
Temporarily closed
707-966-2116
7600 Knoxville Road, 
Napa CA 94558
Rancho Monticello Resort      Temporarily closed
707-966-2188
 - 707-966-1611
6590 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
 
Spanish Flat Resort
Temporarily closed
707-966-7700
4290 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
Steel Park Resort
Temporarily closed
707-
966-2213
1605 Steele Canyon Road,
Napa, CA. 94558
 

Cabins

Pleasure Cove Resort
707-966-2172
6100 State Hwy. 128
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
Spanish Flat Resort
Temporarily closed
707-966-7700
4290 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
 

RV Parks & Camping

Pleasure Cove Resort
707-966-2172
6100 Hwy. 128
Napa CA 94558
Putah Creek Resort
Temporarily closed
707-966-2116
7600 Knoxville Road, 
Napa CA 94558
Spanish Flat Resort
Temporarily closed
707-966-7700
4290 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
Place your listing & link here for only $24 per year. Click here.
 

RV Parks-Campgrounds - Near Lake Berryessa
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
707 942-4575   800 444-7275 
3801 St. Helena Hwy. North
St. Helena, CA 94574
  Place your listing & link here for only $24 per year. Click here.
Calistoga Campground
Napa County Fairgrounds
707-942-5111
1435 Oak Street,
Calistoga, CA 94515
  Canyon Creek Resort
530-795–4133
22074 State Hwy. 128,
Winters, CA 95694
Casini Family Campground
800-451-8400
22855 Moscow Road,
St. Helena, CA 94574
   
Markley Cove Resort
707 966-2134
P.O. Box 987,
Winters CA 95694
   
Skyline Wilderness Park
707 252-0481
2201 Imola Avenue,
Napa, CA 94559
   

Restaurants

Berryessa Corners
707-255-5455
6005 Monticello Road,
Napa, CA 94558
Place your listing & link here for only $24 per year. Click here.
Corners Cafe & Shopping Plaza, The
707-258-8138
6005 Monticello Road,
Napa, CA 94558
Cucina Italiana at Spanish Flat Village Center
707-966-2433
4310 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, Napa Ca. 94558
Putah Creek Resort Restaurant
707-966-2368
7600 Knoxville Road,
Lake Berryessa, Napa Ca. 94558
 
Spanish Flat Cantina
707-966-0549
4370 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558
Spanish Flat Country Store & Deli
510-220-0071
4310 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558
Turtle Rock "World Famous Eggrolls"
707-966-2246
2000 Capell Valley Road,
Napa, CA 94558
 

 
Recreation
   •  Boating
      
  Pleasure boating

       
 Canoeing
        
Kayaking

 
  •  Day Use Parks & Recreation Areas
        
Picnicking

         Recreation
 
 •  Fishing
 
 •  Water Sports
     
   Waterskiing
      
  Jet Skiing
  
   Wildlife Observation
Birding
        
 
Boat Launch Areas
The Bureau of Reclamation offers a free motorized boat launch and trailer parking on the northwest shore of Lake Berryessa. All resorts have boat ramps as well at a nominal fee.
 

Day Use Facilities

Oak Shores and Smittle Creek Day Use Area

Reclamation manages and maintains a contiguous 3 mile stretch of shoreline for public day use activities, encompassing Oak Shores Day Use Park, Smittle Creek Trail, and Smittle Creek Day Use Park. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, swimming, non-motorized boating, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing and boat mooring for day use (bring your own anchor or stake), among others. Both Day Use Parks offer beautiful views of Lake Berryessa and a wonderful place to enjoy the lake. Summer weekends are busy, so come early to find good parking. Oak Shores and Smittle Creek are patrolled year round by Park Rangers who are available for visitor information and safety.

Entrance is free for both Day Use Parks and all dispersed areas around Lake Berryessa.

Park Hours of Operation:  7:00 a.m. – dusk year around.
(Closing time varies seasonally; see entrance sign for designated closing time).

Facilities available in Oak Shores include picnic tables, charcoal grills, two hand boat launches, ADA accessible restrooms, two designated swim beaches with no boat access, and shade shelters available on a reservation basis (see below). The Entrance Station and Water Education and Information Station are open on summer weekends to find information on recreational opportunities, water safety, conservation, or talk with a Ranger.

Facilities available in Smittle Creek are slightly more challenging to access and are spread out among rolling hills and along Smittle Creek Trail. They include picnic tables, charcoal grills, trails, and ADA accessible restrooms (trails may not be fully accessible to reach the restrooms).

You may bring your own propane or gas grill, but must use park grills for charcoal fires. No wood fires are permitted on Reclamation lands. Please bring cans or plastic and leave glass containers at home. No trailers are permitted inside Oak Shores or Smittle Creek Day Use Parks, so plan accordingly.

Park Rules
 
  Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards.
 • No Camping.
  No glass containers.
  Please keep pet on a leash.
  Use park grills or personal gas/propane grills only. No wood or open fires
  Fireworks and firearms are not permitted.
  Dispose waste properly. Pack it in and pack it out.
  Trailers are not allowed. 24 foot max vehicle length.
  Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted on paved roads only.
  Bicycles are not permitted in picnic areas.
  Protect your park by no tying ropes to trees or park facilities.
 •  Respect wildlife and their habitat. Please don't collect or disturb plants, animals, or any other natural objects.
 
Capell Cove Boat Launch Day Use Area
 
Reclamation offers a free motorized boat launch and trailer parking on the northwest shore of Lake Berryessa. Trailer parking is available on a first come, first served basis, so plan to arrive early on summer weekends. ADA accessible restrooms and an ADA accessible boat dock on the launch ramp are available. Capell Cove is also a popular shoreline and boat fishing location.

Game Fish
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, landlocked Salmon & Steelhead, Catfish, Crappie, Sunfish and Bluegill.
 

Fishing Methods & Bait

Trout and salmon

Trout and salmon, traditionally regarded as cold water fish, are inhabitants of the deep, open waters of Lake Berryessa, and can often reach “trophy” sizes of more than 10 pounds (the average size is 2-4 pounds). These fish are best caught by trolling – dragging a spinner or minnow on a line behind a slow moving boat in open water – a method made easier with the help of a downrigger or fish finder. During the spring, trout and salmon swim at depths around 15-20 feet. In the summer they are generally found below 40 feet.

Another method used to catch trout or salmon is to drift a minnow, nightcrawler, or salmon eggs in open water using a bobber. Shore fishing has proven less successful for these fish, but it is possible during the spring when the water temperatures are still cool. Fly fishing is possible in Upper Putah Creek and is very popular below the dam in Lower Putah Creek. Time, patience, and experience are all necessary to catch these fish. Rainbow trout are the most common trout species; however brown trout and brook trout also exist. Landlocked steelhead are native to the region, and spawn in Upper Putah Creek during the Bass season.

 

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Because of the technique and skill required to catch Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass, and the thrill of hooking a large one, many anglers consider bass to be the ultimate game fish of Lake Berryessa. The largemouth (15 - 20 inches) is slightly larger than the smallmouth (12-18 inches), and both fish spawn in the spring, when they can be found feeding in shallow areas for most of the day.

To fish for bass, it is important to know some basic information about their feeding habits. In the summer, bass generally spend their days and nights resting in deeper water, but they move to shallow warm water to feed in the morning and evening. These areas usually have vegetation or other structures that attract minnows, flies, or other small creatures which bass feed on. In addition, these shallow areas tend to be close to the deep waters where bass rest - therefore, many anglers fish for them along points or steep ridges, and the shallow vegetated areas along the edge. Fishermen often say that rocky points, floating vegetation, docks, or coves filled with trees are prime bass habitats.

Another tricky part about bass fishing is finding the right bait. Every angler seems to have their own belief about the best bass lure. The most popular seem to be floating plugs, spinnerbaits, rattling lures, plastic worms or a simple live worm or minnow. Spinners, buzz baits, jerkbaits, and deep diving crankbaits are equally effective. Whichever bait you use, fishing for bass is sure to be an exciting experience.

 

Crappie & Panfish

For Crappie use minnows in 10 to 20 feet of water near docks and in coves over brush. Also, try white or yellow jig. Bluegill can be found in the backs of shallow coves all over the lake with meal worms or mini nightcrawlers 5 to 10 feet under a bobber.

 Must have anglers' tools
Lot of 5 New Fishing Lure Crankbaits for Bass & Trout
Pro Strikers 30 Piece Treble Hook Assortment
Jeros Tackle Assorted Egg Sinkers - 55 Pcs
Berkley Trilene XL Smooth Casting Monofilament 330 Yd Spool(12-Pound,Clear)
Stren Original 330-Yard Spool, Pound Test 10, Hi-Vis Gold
American Angler Freshwater 9 Inch Soft Grip Fillet Knife with Sharpener
 

Bag Limits
Fishing regulations can change annually. Check with the California Sport Fishing Regulations for current changes.
Sport Fishing Regulations or
California Department of Fish & Game
916-227- 2245
 

Lake Information
Lake Berryessa is one of California's largest bodies of fresh water with approximately 165 miles of shoreline and is 26 miles long and 3 miles wide. Lake Berryessa's water reaches temperatures of up to 75 degrees in the summer, making it an ideal lake for water sport fans.

Because of Lake Berryessa's size the recreational boaters make use of most of the lake, however anglers still have ample room to enjoy the day making Lake Berryessa a very popular location with up to 1.5 million visiting tourists each year. Anglers enjoy fishing for cold and warm water species, which are rainbow trout, brown trout, bass, salmon, catfish, crappie, bluegill and Sunfish. The lake has most everything an angler needs including good fishing, resorts, rv parks, cabin rentals and campgrounds.

With completely varying terrain from steep, rocky shorelines to low grade sloping meadows, Lake Berryessa is the bass anglers dream. Anglers who like to fish structure can work creek channels, underwater islands, extending points and submerged timber. Those who prefer the visual stimulation of brushy shoreline cover can find plenty of their favorite bass habitat.

While trout fishing is great in the shallows during the cooler months, anglers have to switch to deep water angling in the late spring and summer months. Downriggers are the favorite style of fishing by experienced Berryessa anglers. The best trolling lanes are from the dam to the narrows in Markley and Skiers coves. The lake may be fished year round.

 

Location
Lake Berryessa is located approximately 40 minutes north by northeast from
Napa and just a short drive east from St. Helena. GPS - coordinates are
N 38.56241 and W -122.18859. (see directions at the bottom of this page)

A GPS (Global Positioning System) gets you to where you're going faster and easier than any conventional map. All you have to do is listen for the directions.

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 265W/265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

Grocery Delis Bait
Canyon Creek Café
Food, bait, tackle, and public phone, hours vary seasonally.
Pardesha Store
Grocery store, fishing license, bait and tackle, gas, and public phone.
Spanish Flat Village
Grocery store, deli, bait and tackle, ATM/Credit, laundromat, mail drop-off, restaurant and museum.
Turtle Rock
Grocery store, deli (Seasonal), ATM/Credit, fishing license, bait and tackle, and public phone.
 

Directions
Lake Berryessa is located 70 miles northeast of San Francisco and 40 miles west of Sacramento. Nearest towns are Napa to the southwest or Winters to the east. Nearest highways are state highways 121 and 128.

From I-80 (San Francisco) – Take I-80 northbound to Fairfield; exit Suisun Valley Road (which eventually turns into Wooden Valley Road) and go west/north; turn right on Highway 121 toward Lake Berryessa; to reach the Reclamation Headquarters, Visitor Center, Capell Cove Boat Launch, and two Day Use Parks, turn left at Moskowite Corners on Highway 128; turn right on Knoxville Road, and follow the signs.

From I-80 (Sacramento) – Take I-80 southbound to Davis; exit Highway 113; take Highway 113 to Covell Road/Highway 128 (toward Winters); drive through Winters and pass Monticello Dam; to reach the Reclamation Headquarters, Visitor Center, Capell Cove Boat Launch, and two Day Use Parks, turn right at Moskowite Corners on Highway 128; turn right on Knoxville Road, and follow the signs.

From I-5 (Sacramento or Redding) – Turn off of I-5 onto Highway 113 west in Woodland (toward Winters); turn right on Covell Road/Highway 128 in Davis (toward Winters); drive through Winters and pass Monticello Dam; to reach the Reclamation Headquarters, Visitor Center, Capell Cove Boat Launch, and two Day Use Parks, turn right at Moskowite Corners on Highway 128; turn right on Knoxville Road, and follow the signs.

From Napa – Take Highway 121 northeast toward Lake Berryessa; to reach the Reclamation Headquarters, Visitor Center, Capell Cove Boat Launch, and two Day Use Parks, turn left at Moskowite Corners on Highway 128; turn right on Knoxville Road, and follow the signs.

From St. Helena – Take Highway 128 toward Lake Berryessa; to reach the Reclamation Headquarters, Visitor Center, Capell Cove Boat Launch, and two Day Use Parks, turn left on Knoxville Road, and follow the signs.

 

Licenses & Regulations
Sport fishing and hunting licenses and fees: CA state fish & game license
Fishing regulations: Regulations
Mammal Hunting: Regulations
Bird Hunting: Regulations
Wildlife: Regulations
Birding: Regulations
Bureau of Reclamation: Bureau of Reclamation
CA Department of Boating: Department of Boating
 

Mercury Advisory
Some precautions should be taken given the elevated levels of mercury in fish from Lake Berryessa. Mercury, a naturally occurring chemical, is hazardous when ingested in high doses. A great number of oceans and lakes, including Lake Berryessa, support fish which have high levels of mercury built up in their tissues, primarily due to early gold mining operations upstream.

Fish from this lake should be eaten in moderation. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) suggests that women of childbearing age and children under 17 should not consume fish from Lake Berryessa. However, men and older women can safely eat the following amounts of fish per month.

Maximum Meals Per Month
Largemouth bass over 15” 2
Largemouth bass under 15” 4
Smallmouth bass all sizes 2
White catfish all sizes 4

 

Resources
California Department of Fish and Game
State of California Fish and Game
Bureau of Reclamation
Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce
Napa County Chamber of Commerce
 

 

RV Accessories

RV Appliances

 
 
 
 

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