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Lake Berryessa Lodging and Recreation Guide

 

Lake Berryessa Guide

Resorts & Marinas

Cabins

RV Parks & Camping

Restaurants

Recreation

Boat Launch Areas

Day Use Facilities

Fishing Bait & Methods

Lake Information

Location

Grocery Stores

Directions

Licenses & Regulations

Mercury Advisory

Resources

 

Camping World

 

Camping World

 
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Key Feature
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    Downfigger
    Buy this ProductLuhr Jensen Deep Six  $ 10.99
    The Luhr Jenson Deep Six is a diving planer/sinker with an adjustable trip action. It features true tracking design, fish attracting colors, adustable positive trip mechanism and a welded ring construction.

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    Buy this ProductQuantum Response Bait Casting Combo     $ 69.99
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    Buy this ProductLunker Lure Rattleback Crappie Minnow  $ 2.49
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    Resorts & Marinas
    Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
    707-942-4575 - 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
    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
    707-966-2116
    7600 Knoxville Road, 
    Napa CA 94558
    Rancho Monticello Resort
    707-966-2188
     - 707-966-1611
    6590 Knoxville Road,
    Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
    Place your add here. $24 per year. One year minimum. Click here.
    Spanish Flat Resort
    707-966-7700
    4290 Knoxville Road,
    Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
    Steel Park Resort
    707-
    966-2213    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
    707-966-7700 
    4290 Knoxville Road,
    Napa CA 94558
    Place your add here. $24 per year. One year minimum. Click here.
     

    RV Parks & Camping

    Pleasure Cove Resort
    707-966-2172
    6100 Hwy. 128
    Napa CA 94558
    Putah Creek Resort
    707-966-2116
    7600 Knoxville Road, 
    Napa CA 94558
    Spanish Flat Resort
    707-966-7700 
    4290 Knoxville Road
    Napa CA 94558
    Place your add here. $24 per year. One year minimum. Click here.
     

    Restaurants

    Berryessa Corners
    707-255-5455
    6005 Monticello Road,
    Napa, CA 94558
    Boone's Saloon (Bikers Roadhouse)
    707-966-2420
    4370 Knoxville Road,
    Lake Berryessa, Ca. 94558
    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
    Place your add here. $24 per year. One year minimum. Click here.
     

    Recreation

       •  Boating
          
     Pleasure boating
           
    Canoeing
          
    K
    ayaking
     
      •  Day Use Parks & Recreation Areas
            
    Picnicking
           Recreation
     
     •  Fishing
     
     •  Water Sports
         
      Waterskiing
          
     Jet Skiing

      
       Wildlife Observation
            
    Birding
     
    Wet Dawg Water Sports, Inc.
    707-966-5701
    4290 Knoxville Road,
    Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
    Wet Pleasure Jet Ski & Watercraft
    707-966-4204
    5800 Knoxville Road,
    Lake Berryessa, CA 94558
     
    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

    1. Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards.

    2. No Camping.

    3. No glass containers.

    4. Please keep pet on a leash.

    5. Use park grills or personal gas/propane grills only. No wood or open fires.

    6. Fireworks and firearms are not permitted.

    7. Dispose waste properly. Pack it in and pack it out.

    8. Trailers are not allowed. 24 foot max vehicle length.

    9. Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted on paved roads only.

    10. Bicycles are not permitted in picnic areas.

    11. Protect your park by no tying ropes to trees or park facilities.

    12. 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, spinner baits, 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.

     

    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 below)

    A GPS (Global Positioning System) gets you to where you are going faster and easier than any conventional map. All you have to do is listen for the directions. Once you try a GPS you'll wonder how you got there without one.

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    Grocery Stores
    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
     
     

     
     
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    Camping World - RV & Camping Experts Since 1966

     
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  • Four place setting for indoors or outdoors
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  • 1 - 8 cup coffee pot
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    The new FishMark™ 480 is the absolute best buy in LCD fishfinders today, comparing features to price. Superior 480x480 pixel resolution, target separation and power. The all-new choice of tournament pros!

    Display:
    • 5" (12.7 cm) diagonal screen
    • Film SuperTwist LCD
    • High-definition 480x480 resolution
    • Amber LED backlit screen and keypad
    • 16-level grayscale

    Sonar:
    • Depth capability to 800 ft* (244 m) with 1500 watts of peak-to-peak power
    • High-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer® transducer with built-in temp sensor delivers up to 60° of fish detection area with high sensitivity settings - Operates at boat speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts)
    • Trolling speed and distance log readings available with purchase of an optional sensor
    • FishReveal™ feature exposes fish targets hidden in surface clutter, weed beds, thermoclines, and other types of underwater cover
    • HyperScroll™ feature locates and displays fish targets at higher boat speeds
    • Advanced Signal Processing (ASP™) automatically adjusts your settings for the best sonar picture
    • Patented GRAYLINE® separates fish from nearby structure and bottom
    • Advanced Fish I.D.™ shows underwater targets in different sizes of fish symbols
    • FishTrack™ displays target depth readings above fish symbols
    • Surface water temperature readings come from a built-in temp sensor in the transducer
    • Unique display feature lets you combine a panel of sonar data readings with your sonar graph in one easy-to-read display
    • Zoom with zoom bottom tracking and easy zoom-in/out control
    • Selective on/off sonar alarms: Shallow, Deep, Fish and Zone

    Performance:
    • High-speed screen updates during depth range changes for uninterrupted viewing
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    • Completely sealed and waterproof, even for use in harsh saltwater environments
    • Full one-year warranty
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    Buy this ProductFrabill Min-O-Life Bait Bucket  $ 24.99
    The 1405 Min-O2–Life aerated bait bucket provides an economical solution for anglers wanting an aerated live bait container. The 1405 offers the insulating qualities of a foam bucket with the rugged durability of a hard shell molded bucket and the added bonus of a portable aerator system. Keeps water at a constant temperature making it ideal for summer and winter use. The 1405 features.

  • Diaphragm drive air pump.
  • Powers off two D-cell alkaline batteries.
  • High output air stone with non-kink air hose.
  • 8 qt. insulated container.
    Click here for more information.
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