Leveling Up on Lake Berryessa: Kokanee Tactics That Work Anywhere

alexosen
Jun 12
2 min read

Hello friends,

Yesterday, I hit Lake Berryessa with my friend and local guide Brandon Abernathy of Rod Down Guide Services in search of kokanee and trout—and we had a banner morning. Lines were tight, rods were bent, and we wrapped up before noon with a solid haul.

But more than just fish, I came away with a handful of insights that leveled up my trolling game. Below is a full breakdown of what I learned on the water—straight from the source. Whether you're fishing Berryessa, Shasta, Don Pedro, or any other California lake, these tips will help you hook more fish and make the most of your time on the water. This bite should stay hot through the end of July, so grab your gear and let’s get to it.

Dialing in the Bite at Lake Berryessa

Right now, Lake Berryessa is producing solid Kokanee action in the 40 to 60-foot range. Anglers are having success trolling with micro hoochies tipped in corn, especially when paired with short leaders (8 to 10 inches) behind J&J Tackle dodgers. Color coordination matters—start with pink in low light, then shift to blues or purples as the day brightens. One standout tip from the trip: short backsets (13 to 15 feet) make a big difference when fishing deeper water, allowing for quicker, more effective depth changes and more responsive lure action.

Refining Your Trolling Strategy

Troll at speeds between 1.3 and 1.6 mph, and don’t hesitate to work in some deliberate turns. With a short backset, your gear can swing through the water column during direction changes—speeding up on one side and slowing down on the other—which can trigger reaction bites. Focus your route on steep contour shifts, like drops from 50 to 90 feet. These transitions often hold fish, especially around island points and underwater structure. Keep your sonar dialed in and adjust as needed—every little tweak can make a difference.

Keep It Moving, Stay Alert

While the early morning ramp can get busy, don’t be discouraged if the bite takes time to develop—patience and awareness are key. Follow depth contours, watch for subtle changes on the fishfinder, and be open to improvising. We even recovered a few floating fish left behind by others—another reminder to fish responsibly and observe everything around you. This pattern should hold strong through late July, so if you’re ready to dial in your trolling game, now’s the time to hit the water and make it count.

How do Landlocked King Salmon Taste?

Curious if that Berryessa King is worth keeping for dinner? Next week, join me and my daughters in the kitchen as we cook up a gorgeous lake-caught salmon—and share a go-to recipe you’ll want in your back pocket for your next catch.

🎣 Got a question or photo of your best catch? Tag us @Catch_Happy_Outdoors and @Sweeneys_Sports — we love sharing local success stories.

Catch Happy!