Lake Berryessa Fishing Report | September 15, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
45 to 110 feet
Presentation
Slow-troll program: 6-inch offset trolling dodgers paired with T-Pex blades scented with Chrome Killer corn, fished on the Big Nate Kokanee and Trout rod.
Lures and baits
6-inch offset trolling dodgers, T-Pex lures, and Chrome Killer corn cure.
Camanche (when trout were on): long leaders with PowerBait.
Amador and Pardee warm-water: live minnows where allowed, Senkos, rip baits, and topwater in low light.
Advice for this week
At Berryessa, run offset dodgers and T-Pex tipped with Chrome Killer corn and chase your marks to stay on the fish. On Amador, live minnows are excellent this time of year where they are allowed. For catfish across these lakes, try squid, anchovies, or chicken liver. Book with Big Nate's Guide Service.
What is changing
The trout bite at Camanche, Amador, and Pardee has fallen off almost completely, with warm-water species carrying the load.
Next week
The Berryessa king and kokanee bite is dialed in and worth the trip. The trout bite on Camanche, Amador, and Pardee may be winding down, so lean on the warm-water species there until conditions change.
Lake Berryessa was incredible in mid-September 2025, with big kings and monster kokanee coming from 45 to 110 feet. Nate Kelsch runs his Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod paired with 6-inch offset dodgers, T-Pex lures, and Chrome Killer Corn. Chase marks through the column and put the gear right on the fish. It is the same Berryessa kokanee kit he uses every single trip.
What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?
Big king salmon and monster kokanee. Nate Kelsch had returning clients put a hurting on them, with donkey-sized kings and kokes. He calls the bite incredible, so it is game on for the Berryessa kokanee and king program.
What depth are the Berryessa fish holding?
Everything came from 45 to 110 feet. Nate Kelsch chased marks all morning through that band rather than fishing one depth, so watch your electronics and put the gear on the fish.
What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?
His Berryessa kokanee kit: 6-inch offset dodgers ahead of T-Pex lures with Chrome Killer Corn on the hooks. Nate Kelsch has preached this setup for months and uses it every single trip. Specific colors were not specified in this report.
What rod and reels is Nate Kelsch using?
His new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod, built with custom carbon fiber and Fuji ceramic guides. He pairs it with an Okuma Coldwater Convector or Shimano Tekota reel, which are not carried by Catch America.
How is the trout bite at nearby Lake Camanche?
It fell off almost completely, dropping to two or three bites for six guys on the long-leader PowerBait program. Warm-water species like crappie, catfish, panfish, and bass are still available there and at Amador and Pardee.
Watch the full report
Lake Berryessa September 15, 2025 FAQ
Big king salmon and monster kokanee, per Nate Kelsch.
From 45 to 110 feet, chasing marks.
A 6-inch offset dodger ahead of a T-Pex with Chrome Killer Corn.
His new Big Nate's Kokanee & Trout Rod with custom carbon fiber and Fuji ceramic guides.
It fell off almost completely, down to two or three bites for six anglers on PowerBait and long leaders.
Warm-water species. Use Senkos, rip baits, or topwater, plus live minnows where allowed at Amador, and squid, anchovies, or chicken liver for catfish.
