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Bass Other at Berryessa

Although not generally popular among anglers, supports several other types of fish besides Largemouth the common fish. The most prevalent of these ( salmoides) Bullhead Catfish ( dolomeiu) is the , a large -colored fish. Originally for bass is an exciting experience, and from , carp are the most widespread introduced keeping their feeding habits in mind makes finding Catfish are the bottom feeders of Lake Berryessa. fish in U.S. lakes and streams, and they tend them much more likely. Species such as , bullhead catfish to compete with native fish for and space. Carp and white catfish live in the lake. can often be seen circling among the weeds in nearly Size: every shallow cove around Berryessa. Although often – 15 to 20 inches Size: regarded as inedible by local anglers, carp are – 12 to 18 inches 2-4 lbs on average, but they can grow enormous in considered a delicacy in many cultures, and they put Lake (Micropterus punctulatus) – 12 to 17 deeper parts of the lake, often exceeding 20 lbs up a thrilling fight when hooked. inches Difficulty: Difficulty: Catfish are abundant and easily caught in almost Berryessa Because of the technique and skill required to catch every part of the lake. these fish and the thrill of hooking a large one, many anglers consider bass to be the ultimate of Where and when: Lake Berryessa. Although catfish feed all day long, they are most active during the night. Waiting until the sun sets will Get Hooked! Where and when: lure the fish into shallow water (10-20 feet). If you do Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Bass in the spring, when they can be found fish for them during the day, keep in mind that they feeding in shallow areas for most of the day. In the will be found in deeper water (30 feet or more). Another fish which Berryessa supports is the native summer, they generally spend their nights resting in Sacramento pikeminnow. These large silver fish are Fishing Tips and Tricks deep water, but they move to shallow water to feed in How to catch them: actually giant , and they often fool anglers the morning and evening. These areas usually have To catch catfish, almost all anglers simply sink who are pursuing the more popular or bass. vegetation or other structures to attract minnows, natural bait to the bottom of the lake, keep the line They are typically considered inedible because of or other small creatures which bass feed on. In taut and wait for a bite. The baits most widely used their bony , but, like the carp, they put up a addition, these shallow areas tend to be close to the include nightcrawlers, chicken livers, , hot dogs strong fight for any angler who hooks them. deep waters where bass rest; therefore, many anglers or anything with a strong odor. Placing a small bell or fish for them along points or steep ridges and the bobber at the end of a taut line will alert the angler to shallow areas along the edge. Fishermen often say a fish strike. that rocky points, floating vegetation, docks or coves filled with trees are prime bass habitat.

How to catch them: Every angler seems to have their own belief about the Sacramento Pikeminnow ( grandis) best bass lure. The most popular are floating plugs, White Catfish ( catus) spinner baits, rattling lures, plastic or a simple Berryessa contains a wide variety of minnows, live or . including the (Notemigonus Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) crysoleucas) and the (Dorosoma Smallmouth Bass petenense). Lake Berryessa’s waters also support (Micropterus dolomeiu) many other species of organisms

including , clams and otters.

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Central Area Office Welcome to , , and Other Sunfish Trout and Lake Berryessa Mercury Advisory

Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) Lake Berryessa is a popular fishing spot for Due to elevated levels of mercury in Lake Berryessa, as with most lakes in California, caution should be experienced anglers and beginners alike. This exercised when consuming fish caught here. When brochure provides information on the species of game fish common in the lake and some useful techniques ingested in high doses, mercury can cause (Onchorhynchus tschawytscha) neurological damage to humans. Eating excessive to find and catch them. Have fun and good luck! , ( trutta) and amounts of fish from any waterway may be harmful. (Salvenlinus fontinalis) are commonly Information In light of this potential contamination, the Office of found in Lake Berryessa. Rainbow trout are native to Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) the region and spawn in Upper and The California Department of Fish and Game has published guidelines for the amount of fish from Capell Creek during the spring. Chinook salmon and requires that all individuals 16 and older Lake Berryessa that should be eaten. A copy of these kokanee (Onchorhynchus nerka) have also been possess a valid fishing license while fishing in any guidelines is available at the Lake Berryessa Visitor Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) introduced to the lake. area in California. Annual, one-day and two-day Center. More specific and updated information can licenses are available. The cost for the license varies be found on OEHHA’s website at Crappie (pronounced crop-ie), bluegill, red-eared Size: from -to-year, and different prices apply for http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish.html. sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) and green sunfish 2-4 lbs on average but can reach “trophy” sizes of non-residents. The penalty for being caught without a (Lepomis cyanellus) are popular with anglers because more than 10 lbs proper license can be costly, so it is best to always Stop the Spread of Invasive of the high daily limits set for them. keep your license up to date. Difficulty:

Invasive quagga and zebra mussels can ruin boats Size: Open water is more successful than shore Licenses can be purchased in nearby towns or Crappie – 1.5 lbs maximum fishing. Time, patience and experience are all obtained online at and waterways. These tiny invaders cause a shift in native species and disrupt the ecological balance of Bluegill and sunfish – less than .5 lbs necessary to catch these fish. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/. entire bodies of water. While Lake Berryessa is not currently known to be infested with quagga or zebra Difficulty: Where and when: Daily Fishing Limits mussels, they could easily be spread here on trailered Bluegill and sunfish are ideal beginner fish and are During the spring, trout and salmon swim at depths boats. To keep from spreading , you easily caught. Crappie can be hard to find, but once around 15-20 feet. In the summer, they are generally Fishing is open year-round at Lake Berryessa. must thoroughly clean, drain and dry all parts of you find a school of them, large catches are common. found below 40 feet. Specific daily limits have been set on certain fish your boat between launches into different bodies of species to ensure that their populations remain stable. fresh water. Expect the possibility of an inspection of Where and when: How to catch them: These limits fluctuate annually, so please see the your vessel before you are allowed to launch at any Bluegill and sunfish are most prevalent in warm These fish are best caught by trolling – dragging a current California Freshwater Sport Fishing of the ramps at Lake Berryessa. More information summer months and are easy to find in nearly any spinner or minnow on a line behind a slow-moving Regulations (available online at can be found online at shallow cove, weed bed or dock area. Crappie are boat in open water – a method made easier with the http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/). These limits http://www.dfg.ca.gov/quaggamussel. best caught in the spring under coverings such as help of a or fish finder. Another method include both the number of fish that can be caught in docks, vegetation or fallen trees, but they move to is to drift a minnow, nightcrawler or salmon in one day and the size of the fish that can be removed deeper water during the summer. open water using a bobber. Shore fishing is possible from the lake. during the spring months when the water is still cool. How to catch them: fishing is rarely practiced at Lake Berryessa, but If you do not plan to eat the fish you catch, please Bluegill and sunfish feed on native flies and it is possible in Upper Putah Creek and is extremely consider using barbless hooks and gently returning minnows and are best caught with a bobber and small popular in Lower Putah Creek. Check the current For more information, please contact your catch to the water unharmed. This ensures that the Lake Berryessa Visitor Center at hook holding a piece of nightcrawler or minnow. For California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for fish populations in the lake remain stable and can the more elusive crappie, try using a red and white seasonal limits in these waterways. 707-966-2111 x 113. thrive for many years to come. mini-jig or bobber with a minnow.

Rainbow Trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss)