Mid-March Fishing Report: Napa River & Lake Berryessa Update
- alexosen
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Alex, “Mr. Sweeney’s”
Greetings from Catch Happy. Mid-March is here, and we’re starting to see the early stages of the seasonal shift that leads into spring fishing. Before we get into what anglers are seeing on the water around Napa River and Lake Berryessa, here are a few updates from around the shop.
News from the Shop
Live Ghost Shrimp Update
After several unsuccessful attempts earlier this season, it looks like we may finally have a steady supply of live ghost shrimp arriving at the shop. Our first delivery is here!
Ghost shrimp are one of the most productive natural baits for both sturgeon and striped bass, and our goal is to keep them stocked weekly once supply stabilizes. If you’re planning to fish the river soon, feel free to call ahead or swing by the shop to check availability.
Napa Fishing Club Update
Progress continues on the Napa Fishing Club. The advisory board has now been established, and the group will meet next week to begin outlining programming for the upcoming season and into 2026.
We’re working toward creating opportunities for anglers to connect through organized events, outings, and educational sessions. More details will be shared as those plans develop.
👉 Learn more and join here: https://www.sweeneyssports.com/napa-fishing-club
Office Renovation Nearly Finished
The shop office remodel is almost complete. After a couple more cleanup runs and installing furniture next week, the space should finally be ready to go. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be fully set up very soon.
Fishing Report
Lake Berryessa
We were out fishing Berryessa earlier this week. Conditions were beautiful, but the lake is still sitting at cool temperatures between 56° and 58°F, which means the bite remains somewhat inconsistent.
Most fish are currently holding deep near the bottom, often around the 100-foot range, and they’re not aggressively feeding yet.
One pattern that produced some activity was focusing on slightly warmer water inside coves, particularly areas like the mouth of Putah Creek.
What’s Working Right Now
If you’re trolling Berryessa at the moment, a good setup is:
Kokanee spinners paired with flashers
Trolling speeds between 2.0 and 2.8 mph
Around 2.6 mph seemed to be the sweet spot during our trip
Adding scent to your lures can also help trigger bites from fish that aren’t actively chasing.
Live Bait Activity
Natural bait has been producing around the lake as well.
Crappie fishing is beginning to pick up, and some larger fish are already being reported.
Live minnows are working for crappie, trout, and catfish.
Fishing minnows either under a bobber or on a bottom rig in warmer coves or around structure can increase your chances of getting bit.
Napa River
Sturgeon
The Napa River is seeing excellent sturgeon activity right now. You might not see many reports posted online, but anglers coming through the shop have been sharing consistent catch-and-release success.
This time of year is often one of the most productive periods for targeting sturgeon.
Effective bait choices currently include:
Cured roe, often fished in mesh bait wraps
Ghost shrimp
Grass shrimp
Pile worms
Some anglers have also reported success with cured shrimp baits, though natural options seem to be producing the most consistent results.
Keep in mind:
The fishery is catch-and-release only right now
Barbless hooks are required
Always review current regulations before heading out.
Striped Bass
Striped bass fishing is slowly improving as water conditions stabilize. The river is beginning to clear up, and a warmer weather pattern forecast for the coming week could push the bite into the next gear.
While trolling hasn’t fully turned on yet, anglers are already finding success with live bait presentations.
Productive Striper Baits
Pile worms (currently one of the most consistent producers)
Jumbo live minnows
Ghost shrimp
Natural bait such as bullheads, mudsuckers, split tail, or pike minnows
Larger baitfish are particularly effective right now, often attracting bigger stripers looking for an easy meal.
Looking Ahead
March is shaping up to be a transition month. Sturgeon fishing is already strong, stripers are beginning to show more consistently, and Lake Berryessa should improve as water temperatures climb.
With live ghost shrimp expected at the shop weekly, anglers will have another reliable bait option for both sturgeon and striped bass.
We’ll continue to monitor conditions and share updates as the spring season develops.
Until next week — get out there, enjoy the water, and we hope to see you at the shop soon.
🎣 Tight lines.
Catch Of The Month Contest - Win a $30 gift card!
Show us your most impressive fishing moment by tagging @sweeneys_sports in your Instagram post or story. The grand prize? A $30 gift card and a feature on our social networks! 🏅.
If you’d like to participate, it’s simple:
Share a photo of your catch to your Instagram stories
Tag @sweeneys_sports
Each entry gives you a chance to be featured and win a $30 gift card.
A big thank you to everyone who submitted this month - we truly appreciate your participation and can’t wait to see what you reel in next. Keep the photos coming! 🎣
See you on the water. Catch Happy.
🎣 Got a question or photo of your best catch? Tag us @CatchHappy - we love seeing and sharing your success stories.
Follow Us
 |  |  |
Comments