Lake Berryessa Fishing Report | October 6, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Between 50 and 87 feet, chasing marks on the graph
Presentation
Slow-troll a T-Pex behind an offset dodger tipped with Chrome Killer Corn. This exact setup has produced for months. For faster trolling aimed at trout and salmon, Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons are also producing.
Lures and baits
T-Pex on offset dodgers with Chrome Killer Corn (the workhorse)
Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons for faster trolling (trout and salmon)
Other techniques
Faster trolling with Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons for trout and salmon
Best time
Morning (three limits by 10:30 a.m.)
Advice for this week
Trust the T-Pex and offset dodger program and chase your marks from 50 feet down. A dedicated trolling rod helps, and Nate ran the new Big Nate's Kokanee and Trout Rod for this outing. Do not give up on Berryessa.
What is changing
Nearby Camanche is cooling below 70 degrees with trout plants expected soon; Amador and Pardee remain warm-water fisheries until their plants restart.
Next week
Berryessa should keep kicking out big kokanee and kings through the month. Camanche, Pardee, and Amador will open back up for trout as water cools and plants resume.
Notable catch
Three limits came together by 10:30 in the morning, including big kokanee (some of the largest in the state) and a big king salmon, with a mix of one, two, and three year old fish.
Lake Berryessa is on fire for big kokanee and king salmon in early October 2025. Nate Kelsch landed three limits by 10:30 with T-Pex lures behind 6-inch offset dodgers, his Chrome Killer Corn, and the new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod. Everything came from 50 to 87 feet chasing marks. These are some of the biggest kokanee in the state right now.
What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?
Big kokanee and king salmon, and the bite is not slowing down. Nate Kelsch got three limits by 10:30 in the morning, with one, two, and three-year fish of excellent quality, including some of the biggest kokanee in the state and a big king.
What depth are the Berryessa kokanee holding?
Everything Nate Kelsch caught came from between 50 and 87 feet, chasing marks. Watch your electronics and put the gear right on the fish rather than fishing one set depth.
What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?
Run a T-Pex behind a 6-inch offset dodgers with Chrome Killer Corn on the hooks. Nate Kelsch has used this same program for months and it keeps wrecking the fish. Specific colors were not specified in this report.
What rod is Nate Kelsch using at Berryessa?
The new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod, a trout, kokanee, and king salmon trolling rod. He pairs it with the T-Pex, offset dodger, and Chrome Killer Corn setup and says everything worked flawlessly.
What else is working at Lake Berryessa?
Beyond the kokanee program, Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons are producing right now, and Nate Kelsch has kits built around them. Trolling speed was not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Lake Berryessa October 6, 2025 FAQ
Excellent. Nate Kelsch got three limits by 10:30 in the morning with some of the biggest kokanee in the state.
Between 50 and 87 feet, chasing marks.
The T-Pex behind an offset dodger with Chrome Killer Corn.
His new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod, a trout, kokanee, and king salmon trolling rod.
Yes, big kings are in the mix along with the kokanee, all on the same setup.
Trigger Spoons and Junior Trigger Spoons are producing, and Nate Kelsch has kits built around them.
