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PLAN YOUR NAPA VALLEY VACATION WITH US |
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Attractions for friends and family -
Fishing,
camping,
hiking, golf, bike tours, hot air balloon rides, five-mile hiking trail to the top of
Mount St. Helena, horseback riding, amusement parks, fairs, family
fun,
wine tasting tours,
cooking demonstrations,
Old Faithful Geyser, picnicking at one
of the beautifully landscaped wineries,
Safari west with 400 exotic mammals
& birds, fishing,
petting zoo,
ride &
dine the wine train,
&
world class restaurants. For more
information
click here. |
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ATTRACTIONS & THINGS
TO DO |
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| Resorts
&
Marinas |
Blue Oaks
(formerly Berryessa Marina)
707-966-9088
5880 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558 |
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Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
707-942-4575
• 800-444-7275
3801 St.
Helena Hwy. North
St.
Helena, CA 94574 |
Calistoga
Campground
Napa
County
Fairgrounds
707-942-5111
1435 Oak
Street,
Calistoga,
CA 94515 |
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Chaparral Cove (formerly Putah Creek)
707-966-9088
7600 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558 |
Canyon Creek Resort
(Vista Resort)
800-880-8039
22074 State
Hwy. 128,
Winters, CA
95694 |
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Foothill Pines (formerly Spanish Flat)
707-966-9088
4920 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558 |
Lake Berryessa Marina Park
707-966-2161
5800 Knoxville Road,
Napa CA 94558 |
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Manzanita Canyon (formerly Rancho Montichello)
707-966-9088
6590 Knoxville Road,
Napa, CA 94558 |
Mahogany Bay (formerly Markley Cove) Coming in 2013
707-966-9088
7251 Hwy 128,
Napa, CA 94558 |
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Pleasure
Cove Resort
800-255-5561
6100
State Hwy. 128
Lake
Berryessa, CA 94558 |
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| Cabins |
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| RV Parks &
Camping |
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| Restaurants |
Berryessa
Corners
707-255-5455
6005
Monticello
Road,
Napa, CA
94558 |
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Place your
listing here for only
$24 per year.
Click here. |
Corners
Cafe &
Shopping
Plaza,
The
707-258-8138
6005
Monticello
Road,
Napa, CA
94558 |
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Cucina
Italiana
at
Spanish
Flat
Village
Center
707-966-2433
4310
Knoxville
Road,
Lake
Berryessa,
Napa Ca.
94558 |
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Spanish
Flat
Cantina
(Now
Foothill Pines)
707-966-0549
4370
Knoxville
Road,
Napa, CA
94558 |
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| Recreation |
- Boating
Pleasure
boating
Canoeing
Kayaking
- Day Use Parks & Recreation Areas
Picnicking
Recreation
- Fishing
- Water Sports
Waterskiing
Jet
Skiing
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Wildlife Observation
Birding
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Boat Launch Areas |
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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. |
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Day Use Facilities
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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
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Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards.
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No Camping.
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No glass containers.
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Please keep pet on a leash.
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Use park grills or personal gas/propane grills only. No wood
or open fires.
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Fireworks and firearms are not permitted.
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Dispose waste properly. Pack it in and pack it out.
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Trailers are not allowed. 24 foot max vehicle length.
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Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted on paved roads
only.
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Bicycles are not permitted in picnic areas.
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Protect your park by no tying ropes to trees or park
facilities.
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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.
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Game
Fish |
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Rainbow
Trout,
Brown
Trout,
Largemouth
and
Smallmouth
Bass,
landlocked
Salmon &
Steelhead,
Catfish,
Crappie,
Sunfish
and Bluegill. |
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Fishing Methods & Bait |
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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
spinners 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,
rattling
lures,
plastic
worms or a simple live worm or
minnow.
Spinners,
buzz
baits,
jerkbait, 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.
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Lake
Information |
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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.
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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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GPS Navigator - ( Global
Positioning
System ) |
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Grocery Stores |
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Canyon Creek Café
Food, bait, tackle, and public phone, hours vary seasonally.
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Pardesha Store
Grocery store, fishing license, bait and tackle, gas, and public phone.
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Spanish Flat Village
Grocery store, deli, bait and tackle,
ATM/Credit, laundromat, mail drop-off, restaurant and museum.
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Turtle Rock
Grocery store, deli (Seasonal), ATM/Credit, fishing license, bait and
tackle, and public phone.
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Directions |
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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.
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Mercury
Advisory |
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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
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Resources |
-
California
Department
of Fish
and Game
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State of
California
Fish and
Game
-
Bureau
of
Reclamation
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Lake
Berryessa
Chamber
of
Commerce
-
Napa
County
Chamber
of
Commerce
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