Lake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Between 50 and 100 feet deep
Presentation
Slow troll a Catch America six inch offset dodger paired with a T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn.
Lures and baits
Catch America 6 inch offset dodger
T-Pex
Chrome Killer Corn Cure
Advice for this week
At Camanche, fish long 7 to 10 foot leaders near the river channel. At Amador and Pardee, use redworms under a bobber in 5 to 6 feet for panfish, and chicken liver, anchovies, mackerel, or squid for catfish.
Next week
Kokanee fishing remains great now, with a shift to kings and trout coming soon.
Notable catch
Kokanee running enormous, over 19 inches.
Kokanee are the main event at Lake Berryessa in late August 2025, running up to 19 inches, with king salmon over 25 inches and some nice trout mixed in. Nate Kelsch runs Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers with T-Pex lures and his Chrome Killer Corn between 50 and 100 feet deep. It is the number-one kokanee setup up and down the state.
What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?
Kokanee are the main target and running enormous, with fish over 19 inches. King salmon over 25 inches and some nice trout are coming in the mix. Nate Kelsch says fishing remains good, though anglers are fighting a bit more to get their fish now.
What depth are the fish holding at Lake Berryessa?
Fish have been between 50 and 100 feet deep. Kokanee, kings, and trout are spread through that band, so cover the column and fish where you mark them.
What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?
Run a Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers ahead of a T-Pex lure, tipped with Chrome Killer Corn. Nate Kelsch calls this the number-one kokanee setup of the season. Specific colors were not specified in this report.
How is Nate Kelsch rigging and presenting?
Slow-troll a 6-inch offset dodger ahead of a T-Pex with Chrome Killer Corn on the hooks, working the 50 to 100 foot range. It is the same program he has run all kokanee season. Trolling speed was not specified in this report.
What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?
Fishing remains great. Nate Kelsch plans to shift his focus toward king salmon and trout over the next two to three weeks as the kokanee season winds down.
Watch the full report
Lake Berryessa August 25, 2025 FAQ
Kokanee are running up to over 19 inches, some of the biggest in the state, per Nate Kelsch.
Between 50 and 100 feet deep.
A Catch America 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex and Chrome Killer Corn.
Yes, kings over 25 inches are coming in while fishing for kokanee, with some nice trout too.
Trout are still biting on PowerBait fished next to the river channel with long 7 to 10 foot leaders, and it looks to last through the summer.
Warm-water species. Catfish on chicken liver, anchovies, mackerel, or squid, and bluegill or crappie on red worms under a bobber in 5 to 6 feet of water.
