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Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
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Lake Berryessa Fishing Report | September 1, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa keeps kicking out limits over Labor Day weekend 2025, with chrome fish, kings up to 5 pounds, Eagle Lake trout up to 4 pounds, and bonus catfish 15 to 20 pounds on the troll. Capt. Nate Kelsch runs a 6 inch offset Catch America dodger with the T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn, from 48 to 110 feet. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Berryessa keeps kicking out fish. Capt. Nate Kelsch reports daily limits of chrome, full-scaled fish, mixed with nice kings up to 5 pounds and Eagle Lake trout up to 4 pounds. Big catfish from 15 to 20 pounds are even coming on the troll on kokanee gear. The T-Pex setup is doing the damage.What depth are the fish holding at Lake Berryessa?Fish are spread anywhere from 48 feet down to 110 feet, so you have to chase the marks. You will see schools down deeper and fish sitting in the mud. If you are not comfortable dragging the bottom, run your gear about two to three feet above it for a good chance at those fish.What lures and colors work at Lake Berryessa?The best setup is a 6 inch offset Catch America dodger with the T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn. Nate calls it hands down the best kokanee setup all year, not just at Berryessa but up and down California. It has been lights out.How does Nate rig his Berryessa setup?Run the 6 inch offset dodger ahead of the T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn, and fish it from 48 to 110 feet. Chase the marks up and down the column, and keep gear two to three feet off the bottom when fish are in the mud.What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?Excellent. Nate is getting limits daily with a lot of the fish still chrome and full-scaled, a sign the fishery is in great shape heading through September. The kings and Eagle Lake trout add bonus quality. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Berryessa just keeps kicking out fish. We're still getting limits daily, mixing in a few nice Kings up to five pounds, and some nice big Eagle Lake trout up to four pounds. These 6-inch offset dodgers with the T-Pex, this has hands down been the best setup. We've been tipping them with Chrome Killer corn. Anywhere from 48 feet all the way down to 110 feet.Lake Berryessa September 1, 2025 FAQHow deep are the fish at Lake Berryessa now?Fish are spread from 48 to 110 feet. Chase the marks and keep gear two to three feet off the bottom when needed.What is the best kokanee setup at Lake Berryessa?A 6 inch offset Catch America dodger with a T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn.What species are biting at Lake Berryessa?Limits of chrome fish, kings up to 5 pounds, Eagle Lake trout up to 4 pounds, and bonus catfish 15 to 20 pounds.Are the Berryessa fish still fresh and chrome?Yes. A lot of the fish are still really chrome with full scales intact, a sign of a healthy fishery.Can you catch catfish trolling at Lake Berryessa?Yes. Nate has been getting catfish up to 15 to 20 pounds on the troll while fishing kokanee gear.How do I fish the bottom-holding fish at Berryessa?Run your gear about two to three feet above the bottom if you are not comfortable dragging it. Shop the Tackle T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Trolling Dodger 6 inch Chrome Killer Corn Cure Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 25, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch Nate Kelsch, known as Big Nate, runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch's tackle. What is working right now 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 From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch): Kokanee are enormous. We're getting fish up to over 19 inches. We got King salmon this week over 25 inches, we got some nice trout in the mix, all while fishing for Kokanee. Still using the same setups: our Catch America 6-inch offset dodgers with T-Pexes, by far the number-one setup this whole entire Kokanee season. The fish have been between 50 and 100 feet deep. Lake Berryessa August 25, 2025 FAQ How big are the kokanee at Lake Berryessa in August 2025?Kokanee are running up to over 19 inches, some of the biggest in the state, per Nate Kelsch. What depth are Berryessa kokanee holding?Between 50 and 100 feet deep. What is the best kokanee setup at Lake Berryessa?A Catch America 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex and Chrome Killer Corn. Are king salmon biting at Lake Berryessa?Yes, kings over 25 inches are coming in while fishing for kokanee, with some nice trout too. How is the trout bite at nearby Lake Camanche?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. What is biting at Amador and Pardee?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. Shop the Tackle Trolling Dodger 6 inch T-Pex 1 inch - Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure by Big Nate Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 18, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa is red hot in mid-August 2025, with limits of big kokanee the daily rule plus king salmon and trout. Everything is coming between 50 and 100 feet on T-Pexes run on offset dodgers. Tip them with Chrome Killer corn. Capt. Big Nate Kelsch calls the T-Pex the best lure on the lake right now. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Kokanee, and it is red hot. Capt. Big Nate Kelsch is getting limits of big kokanee pretty much every single day, plus king salmon and trout. He is catching just about everything, with donkey-sized, fat kokanee the highlight of a fantastic mid-August bite on Berryessa. What depth are Berryessa kokanee holding in August?Everything is coming between 50 and 100 feet. Cover that band and watch your graph, since kokanee, kings, and trout are all in that zone. Once you are in the right depth, the T-Pex behind an offset dodger does the work. What lures are working at Lake Berryessa?T-Pexes on offset dodgers, plain and simple. Big Nate says the T-Pex has been the best lure and remains the best lure, and if you are not running them you are missing out. Tip them with Chrome Killer corn for the scent and cure that has been producing his daily limits. How is Lake Camanche fishing?Trout have slowed but are still available. Anglers are renting boats and reaching them at deep-water points near the river channel with long 10-foot leaders and PowerBait. From shore, warm-water species are readily available: bass on Senkos, Ned rigs, drop-shots, and small swimbaits, crappie on small jigs, and catfish on chicken liver and squid. No live minnows are allowed at Camanche. What is the guide's outlook for Berryessa?Big Nate says Berryessa remains hot with limits every day, and expects the strong kokanee bite to keep rolling. He is also running spoon kits for optimizers, trigger spoons, and trigger spoon juniors, and highlights Chrome Killer scent and the new Chrome Killer UV gel. Water temperature was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Fishing remains red hot out at Berryessa. Kokanee fishing, limits are the rule. Everything that we're catching right now is between 50 and 100 feet. You already know what we're using: T-Pexes. It's been the best lure, it remains the best lure. We're using the Chrome Killer corn that I've been telling you about. Lake Berryessa August 18, 2025 FAQ What depth are Berryessa kokanee in August?Between 50 and 100 feet, along with kings and trout. What is the best kokanee lure at Berryessa now?The T-Pex run on an offset dodger, tipped with Chrome Killer corn. Are anglers getting kokanee limits at Berryessa?Yes, limits of big kokanee are the daily rule. How is Lake Camanche trout fishing?Slowed but available, best from rented boats at deep-water points with 10-foot leaders and PowerBait. Can you use live minnows at Lake Camanche?No, live minnows are not allowed at Lake Camanche. What scents does Big Nate recommend?Chrome Killer corn, Chrome Killer scent, and the new Chrome Killer UV gel. Shop the Tackle T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure Chrome Killer Scent Chrome Killer UV Gel Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 11, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now 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 From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Fishing is phenomenal at Berryessa still. Kokanee up to over 19 inches, we are talking about two and a half, three-pound fish. The kokanee are coming on the same Catch America setups, our 6-inch offset dodgers with our T-Pexes. All colors are working, I would say 50 feet all the way down to 95, even 100 feet. Trout fishing is still great, running Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors between 2.3 on up to 3 miles an hour. Lake Berryessa August 11, 2025 FAQ How big are Lake Berryessa kokanee in August 2025?Over 19 inches, roughly 2.5 to 3 pounds, per Capt. Nate Kelsch. What depth are Berryessa kokanee holding?From 50 feet down to 95 or even 100 feet, over structure and river channels. What is the best kokanee setup at Berryessa?A 6-inch offset dodger with a T-Pex, with all colors working. How do you target Berryessa trout right now?Fast-troll Trigger Spoons and Trigger Spoon Juniors 30 to 50 feet down at 2.3 to 3 mph. Are king salmon biting at Berryessa?They are showing but inconsistent, from zero to eight hookups a day, because the bait is still high in the column. Is Chrome Killer scent available as a gel?Yes. Nate says the Chrome Killer scent is now available in a UV gel in addition to the oil. Shop the Tackle Trolling Dodger 6 inch T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Trigger Spoon Junior Trigger Spoon Chrome Killer UV Gel by Big Nate Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | August 4, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa kokanee fishing is fantastic, with daily limits and fat fish over 18 inches, plus king salmon and Eagle Lake trout in the mix. Capt. Nate Kelsch runs 6-inch Catch America offset dodgers with T-Pexes and Chrome Killer corn. Fish are anywhere from 50 to 110 feet and moving daily, so chase the deep marks. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?Kokanee, and limits are the rule daily. Capt. Nate Kelsch has been getting three to four limits of big, football-fat kokanee up to over 18 inches, with king salmon and Eagle Lake trout mixed in. The kokanee are in pre-spawn mode and moving as the water drops. What depth are the kokanee at Lake Berryessa?Fish are anywhere from 50 feet down to 110 feet, and they move every day based on boat pressure and the dropping lake level. Watch your electronics, and when you see deep marks on the graph, chase them. Those deeper fish are often the biggest, the donkeys. What lures and colors are working at Lake Berryessa?Nate's number one setup is a 6-inch Catch America offset dodger pulling T-Pexes, tipped with Chrome Killer corn. That combination has produced fish every single day for months at Berryessa. How is Nate rigging at Lake Berryessa?Slow-troll a 6-inch offset dodger ahead of a T-Pex, with Chrome Killer corn on the hooks. Good electronics are essential to find the deep, constantly moving marks. A specific trolling speed was not specified in this report. What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?Berryessa is fishing great and should keep fishing great through the end of the year. King salmon will become more prevalent later as the bait balls drop, and Nate plans to run king salmon trips then. Kokanee are in good shape and still eating well. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Limits are the rule daily. We've been getting three to four limits of big kokanee up to even over 18 inches. Everything's coming on my number one setup, those 6-inch Catch America offset dodgers with T-Pexes. Chrome Killer corn. Fish are anywhere right now from 50 feet down to 110 feet. If you see deep marks on the graph, chase the marks. Lake Berryessa August 4, 2025 FAQ What depth are Lake Berryessa kokanee holding in early August?Anywhere from 50 feet down to 110 feet, moving daily with boat pressure and the dropping lake level. What is the best kokanee setup at Lake Berryessa?A 6-inch Catch America offset dodger with a T-Pex, tipped with Chrome Killer corn. How big are the Berryessa kokanee?Fat, football-healthy kokanee up to over 18 inches, with three to four limits a day. Are king salmon biting at Lake Berryessa?Some kings are in the mix, and they will become more prevalent later in the year as the bait balls drop. Why do the fish move so much at Berryessa?They are in pre-spawn mode and the water is dropping out of the lake, which shifts them day to day. Who guides Lake Berryessa kokanee for Catch America?Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) of Big Nate's Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Trolling Dodger 6 inch T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Chrome Killer Corn Cure Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
Learn moreLake Berryessa Fishing Report | June 9, 2025
Report by Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate) Nate Kelsch runs Big Nate's Guide Service on Lake Berryessa and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)'s tackle. What is working right now Lake Berryessa is fishing fantastic in early June 2025 with a multi-species bite of kokanee, trout, kings, bass, crappie, and the odd catfish. Capt. Nate Kelsch hooked about 20 fish, wrapping up by 10 AM. Troll 1 to 1.5 mph and cover 20 to 75 feet in the water column. Kokanee are the main biters, so be ready for soft strikes early. What is biting at Lake Berryessa right now?A fantastic multi-species bite. Capt. Nate Kelsch has been picking up kokanee, trout, king salmon, bass, crappie, and even a catfish now and again. His crew hooked about 20 fish, with the rods really popping later in the morning as the bite turned on. How deep are Berryessa fish holding in June?Nate is fishing anywhere from 20 feet down to 70 or 75 feet in the water column. Once you find fish, try to stay right on top of them to make them bite. The kokanee are scattered through that band off the downriggers. What trolling speed works at Lake Berryessa?Nate trolls between 1 and 1.5 mph. Keep it in that zone, and once you locate a school, stay on it. Early strikes are soft, with fish biting and falling off during the fight, likely kokanee, before the bite picks up later. When is the bite best at Lake Berryessa?The morning started slow with soft, short strikes, then the rods were really popping out of the downriggers a bit later. Nate wrapped up around 10 AM after roughly 20 hookups. Stay patient through the early soft bite. What is the outlook for Lake Berryessa?Fishing has been really good for months and shows no sign of slowing. Kokanee remain the main target through that 20 to 75 foot band. Specific lure choices were not detailed in this report, so run your proven Berryessa kokanee gear. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Nate Kelsch (Big Nate)): Fishing is fantastic, as it has been for the past few months now. We have been picking up kokanee, trout, king salmon, bass, crappie, even a catfish every now and again. We are still fishing anywhere from 20 feet all the way down to 70 to 75 feet in the water column. Trolling speed was between 1 mph and 1.5 mph. Lake Berryessa June 9, 2025 FAQ What species are biting at Lake Berryessa in June?Kokanee, trout, king salmon, bass, crappie, and the occasional catfish. What depth are Berryessa fish holding?From 20 feet down to 70 or 75 feet in the water column. What trolling speed for Berryessa kokanee?Between 1 and 1.5 mph, per Capt. Nate Kelsch. Why are the strikes soft at Berryessa?The early biters are likely kokanee, which bite and fall off during the fight until the bite turns on later. How many fish did Nate catch at Berryessa?His crew hooked about 20 fish, wrapping up around 10 AM. What lures did Nate name for this Berryessa trip?Specific lures were not detailed in this report, so run your proven kokanee trolling gear. Shop the Tackle Shop Big Nate's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear
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