Immerse yourself in beautiful nature, spending a day on the water with a fishing rod in Napa Valley. The area boasts several great fishing spots. Putah Creek is perhaps the most famous out of all of them due to its large trout, which attracts anglers from all over California. The fishing season on Putah Creek lasts from the last Saturday of April until mid-November, with a break for the spawning season during the winter.
Putah Creek falls into Lake Berryessa, which is another good fishing destination, ranked among top 10 Best Bass Fishing Lakes on the West Coast by Bassmaster. The largest reservoir in Napa County, Lake Berryessa covers 20,700 acres (8,400 ha) and is rich with largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, and several trout species.
Lake Hennessey is smaller and less crowded than lake Berryessa. Located near Yountville, it covers 790 acres. Fish species in the lake include bluegill, black bullhead, brown and rainbow trout, salmon, catfish, and several bass species.
The Napa River is the main water artery of the Napa Valley, stretching for 55 miles (88 km). The fly fishing season for striped bass on the river generally runs from late spring into fall. Large striped bass species can weigh as much as 10 lbs (4.5 kg). This kind of big fish is often caught later in the season, in mid-November. Winter or early spring is not a good time to fish on the Napa River because of rains that result in high muddy waters.
Practical info
When is the best time to go fly fishing in Napa Valley?
The fly fishing season in Napa Valley starts in late April and continues through mid-November, excluding winter spawning season in Putah Creek. The best time for fly fishing in Napa Valley is generally from late April to mid-June or late September to mid-November, depending on the location within the valley. Show more
Where is the best location to catch large trout in Napa Valley?
Putah Creek, fed by Lake Berryessa, is renowned for its trout fishing and considered the best location for catching large trout in Napa Valley. Other popular fishing spots in the valley include Lake Berryessa and Lake Hennessey, both home to a diverse variety of fish species. Show more
What type of fish can be caught in Lake Berryessa?
Lake Berryessa is abundant in fish species, including largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, and several trout species. It holds a place among the West Coast's top 10 bass fishing lakes, with several species of fish besides bass, such as carp, bluegill, and sunfish, that can be caught during any season. Show more
Where is Lake Hennessey located, and what kind of fish can be caught there?
Lake Hennessey is situated near Yountville, measuring 790 acres with significant population of several species of fish like bluegill, black bullhead, brown and rainbow trout, salmon, catfish, and various versions of bass. This freshwater lake is less crowded and smaller than Lake Berryessa, making it a peaceful place for fly fishing enthusiasts. Show more
When is the fly fishing season for striped bass on the Napa River, and what is the typical weight of the fish caught in this season?
Fly fishing on the Napa River for striped bass takes place from late spring until fall, during which anglers can catch several fish species. Visitors can catch striped bass of different weights ranging from a few pounds to as much as 10 lbs. Due to muddy waters caused by rains, winter or early spring is not the right season for fly fishing on the Napa River. Show more
