Lake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 11, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Kokanee 50 down to 95 or 100 feet over the river channels; trout shallower at 30 to 45 or 50 feet
Presentation
Slow troll for kokanee with six-inch offset dodgers ahead of a T-Pex in any color. For trout, fast troll Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors from 2.3 up to 3 mph.
Lures and baits
T-Pex behind a six-inch Trolling Dodger (kokanee)
Trigger Spoon and Trigger Spoon Junior (trout)
Chrome Killer scent now available as a gel
Advice for this week
Find the bait and you find the fish. Look for structure and open water over the river channels to stay on the biggest kokanee.
Next week
Expect king salmon fishing to heat up within the month as bait drops in the water column. Kokanee quality stays strong for now.
Notable catch
Berryessa kokanee running over 19 inches, some 2.5 to 3 pounds.
Lake Berryessa kokanee fishing is phenomenal in mid-August 2025, with fish over 19 inches pushing 2.5 to 3 pounds. Slow-troll a 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex from 50 to 100 feet deep. For trout, fast-troll Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors 30 to 50 feet down at 2.3 to 3 mph. Kings are showing but still inconsistent.
What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?
Kokanee are the main event and running big, over 19 inches and 2.5 to 3 pounds. Capt. Nate Kelsch says the fishing is phenomenal. King salmon are showing, with some days producing four to eight hookups and other days none, because the bait is still high in the water column.
How deep are Berryessa kokanee holding in August?
Nate is finding nice, big kokanee from 50 feet all the way down to 95 or even 100 feet. Look over structure and open water above the river channels. Run a 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex to reach them.
What lures work for Berryessa kokanee and trout?
For kokanee, the same Catch America setup keeps producing, a 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex, and all colors are working. For trout, Nate runs Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors 30 to 50 feet down.
What trolling speed for Berryessa trout?
Nate fast-trolls Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors between 2.3 and 3 mph for trout right now. Kokanee come on the slower dodger and T-Pex presentation, so keep the two techniques separate.
What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?
Nate expects to start smashing kings within about a month once the bait drops down the column. Kokanee should stay strong. He also noted the Chrome Killer scent is now available in a UV gel.
Watch the full report
Lake Berryessa August 11, 2025 FAQ
Over 19 inches, roughly 2.5 to 3 pounds, per Capt. Nate Kelsch.
From 50 feet down to 95 or even 100 feet, over structure and river channels.
A 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex, with all colors working.
Fast-troll Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors 30 to 50 feet down at 2.3 to 3 mph.
They are showing but inconsistent, from zero to eight hookups a day, because the bait is still high in the column.
Yes. Nate says the Chrome Killer scent is now available in a UV gel in addition to the oil.
