Free Fishing Day at Lake Berryessa Over Labor Day Weekend

Written by: Park Ranger Dylan Dowe

Lake Berryessa Free Fishing Day over Labor Day Weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, the Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), held a Free Fishing Day program at Lake Berryessa, located in California’s beautiful Napa Valley.

Twice a year, CDFW allows the public to enjoy the sport of fishing without having to purchase a license. The intent is to provide novice anglers with an inexpensive way to try their hand at fishing and learn about fishing ethics, fish habits, tackle and bait, and effective ways to catch fish. Individuals who then wish to purchase a fishing license may visit the CDFW website at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing or call 916-928-5805.

Lake Berryessa Park Ranger Dylan Dowe and CDFW Game Warden Mark White assisted some 25 enthusiastic novice anglers in a 3-hour free fishing program at the Foxtail Flat beach in the Oak Shores Day Use Area. About 10 of the participants were children, with the youngest approximately 8 years old.

The anglers were provided with fishing poles and rubber worms for bait. Although it’s uncertain exactly how many fish were caught, Ranger Dowe saw one person catch a crappie, a member of the sunfish family considered to be one of the best-tasting freshwater fish. In the future, Lake Berryessa Park Rangers plan to use live bait, which will hopefully yield more catches.

California’s two free fishing days are always held on the Saturday closest to the 4^th of July and the Saturday during Labor Day weekend. In 2017, the two free days will be held July 1 and September 2.

At Lake Berryessa, anglers enjoy fishing for both cold and warm water species, including rainbow trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. For a brochure on fishing at the lake, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/docs/brochure-fishing.pdf.

Published on September 14, 2016