Berryessa Report 3/21

I tried Berry out around Putah yesterday. I trolled high and low for trout, salmon and Kokanee but didn’t get a bite. Moved in shallow and picked up a Smallmouth and a Crappie to avoid the skunk. I would have done better just targeting those.
Water temps were 60 at launch and 68 at landing at noon. Water was very clear but some areas had lots of clump algae. I relearned why I don’t do weekends at Berry. By 10:30 the amplified music was blaring from a couple boats. On my next visit I will target mid-lake on a weekday.

Thanks for the report 

Thanks for the report.

I know this has been discussed previously, but are non-motorized boats required to be inspected? It seems there is contradictory info online...

The "official " statement was that non motorized were exempt.
The actual reports at pay to play launches have been mixed.
Seems there’s no steadfast rule from lake to lake on non motorized,  but I've not been looked at so far.
But never used the pay to play at berryessa...

I was up a few weeks ago and the clarity was coming back.
Maybe 5ish feet at smittle creek.

Thanks for the report Joe.
I haven’t made my Berry trip yet in 2026

How was the bait? Big schools shallow or deep?

Thanks for the Berry fishing report and picture Joe.

It has been a tough bite the past months. 1 fish in the previous 3 trips. Fished Markley on Monday, 3/30, for a salmon, a trout and a kokanee, with 2 lost at the yak. As usual, I tried everything and all speeds. The only bites cam at 50" on the wire and a 5oz weight on the other pole. Never saw any bait balls on the meter. Had been thinking of Putah next trying those depths.

Big Nate has done some scouting and is now getting limits of nice Kokanee. Unfortunately with a kayak, you have to pick one area of the lake. Next time I go, I will probably target Smittle Creek/Big Island.