Napa River
Napa River ~ Striped Bass
Multiple fishing charter companies are available to take anglers out on the Napa River where the primary target species is Striped Bass (Stripers).
The three main methods employed by the licensed fishing guides who operate on the Napa River are:
1) Casting lures with spinning gear
2) saltwater fly fishing
3) trolling lures behind the boat
Some locals will use cut bait or live bait but this is something that is typically not offered by the local charter guides who are more oriented to hands on sport fishing with artificial lures. Striped Bass are available year round but there are definitely seasons when larger fish or schools are more prevalent and times when fishing is more productive or less productive. Some of the factors determining this is dependent upon but not limited to the previous winter’s rainfall, water clarity, water temperature, prevailing winds and the presence or absence of baitfish. In conjunction with this on any particular day the current moon phase and tides are also a factor. This is where local knowledge from the professional guides who work the Napa River comes into play. If you are considering booking a trip don’t hesitate to ask them what the current conditions are like and what your chances are. Whilst saltwater fly fishing and trolling the river may cease earlier on in the year, casting lures on light tackle to Stripers in the shallows can continue through winter through to January in some years until the water simply becomes too muddy. Most years there’s an early spring run with some very nice fish entering the system prior to spawning. These fish are typically of good size and color and are in great condition. Some of them are real fatties… They can be ravenous which can make for some exciting fishing! There’s also a significant fall run with some very big fish possible. Catch and release is common but if you want to take some fish home with you the minimum legal size is 18″ (there is no slot limit like on the East Coast) and the bag limit is two fish per person per day. It’s always preferable to take a photo and release the larger fish as they are the better breeders which helps to keep the population going and besides that the bigger fish have a stronger, less palatable taste and can be higher in mercury content too. The longer the fish stays in the Napa River system, the muddier it will become. You will be able to distinguish the fresh, ocean run Stripers by their brighter color.
Napa River ~ Sturgeon
Sturgeon are present in the Napa River year round but fishing for them is only permitted when the season is open which is determined by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sturgeon is currently a catch and release fishery only and there are strict rules that apply to the handling of any of these fish. It’s best to check the California DF&W website for the latest information on Sturgeon fishing regulations which includes open and closed season dates, landing and handling of the fish prior to releasing. Some Napa River fishing guides may offer Sturgeon fishing from time to time as an option but you will need to check around for yourself. If you are serious about Sturgeon fishing and want to travel outside the Napa Valley there are a lot of Sturgeon guides who fish the Delta on a regular basis when the season is open. Fishing for Sturgeon also requires a Sturgeon Report Card in addition to a California fishing license. If you purchase a Sturgeon Report Card you must complete and submit a return the following year regardless of whether you actually landed a Sturgeon or even fished for Sturgeon.
Napa River ~ Chinook Salmon
Chinook also known as King Salmon make a run up the Napa River every year. In October & November we sometimes see a lot of them however due to a declining population resulting in stringent seasonal restrictions and sometimes full closure for successive years there hasn’t been anyone seriously targeting them. On occasion they have been hooked incidentally whilst fishing for Striped Bass and as such when this has occurred in previous years where a closure has been in effect they have been released quickly back into the water as required by law. You definitely know they are coming up the Napa River each year when you see a big presence of Sea Lions. If you are fortunate enough you may even get to witness a catch and kill which is a memorable experience. Fishing for Salmon in the Napa River is not like your typical fast flowing, white-water experience. Below downtown Napa all the way to the Highway 37 Bridge in Vallejo your best chance of hooking one would be trolling the main body of the river, secondary to that would be casting lures inside the levy breaks of the sloughs when the current is flowing strongly on an incoming tide. Fishing for Salmon in the Napa River up to the Trancas St Bridge falls under California DF&W ocean regulations so you need to be aware of seasonal closures and in addition – only a single shank, barbless hook may be used. Past the Trancas St Bridge inland regs apply so once again you will need to check the current California DF&W “Inland” regulations which are usually different to “Ocean” regulations.
Napa River – Other Fish Species
Other fish species present in the Napa River include Bat Rays, California Halibut and Starry Flounder. There is an abundance of Bat Rays in the Napa River. They are sometimes targeted intentionally and are also occasionally caught as a bycatch while fishing for other species. The average California Halibut caught in the Napa River is smaller than the 22″ legal minimum size but every now and then a decent sized keeper fish is hooked and landed. I know of one charter captain whose customer caught a Halibut about 8-9lbs in the lower reaches of the Napa River while fishing for Stripers. Sometimes you may also encounter some Starry Flounder, they used to be more prevalent but not so much now.
Licensed Fishing Charter Captains on the Napa River
Make sure that your ‘Napa River Fishing Guide’is:
1) a licensed and insured USCG Charter Captain as these are “navigable waters” and
2) that the boat has “FG” numbers displayed on the side meaning that it is a CPFV ~ a Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel as the Napa River up to the Trancas St Bridge falls under California DF&W Ocean Regulations. Your captain is required to complete and submit a catch log to the California DF&W for every trip.
If these conditions don’t exist the operator may not be in compliance with the US Coast Guard, the California DF&W or even both. These requirements only apply if you are fishing the Napa River by boat and paying for services. It does not apply to guides operating in the Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey and Putah areas.
California Recreational Sportfishing License
Everyone 16 years of age and older who is participating in fishing must have a valid California recreational sportfishing license when on a Napa River guided boat fishing charter. Purchase a California Sportfishing License online.
Personal Flotation Devices
Everyone 12 years of age and under must wear a PFD while the boat is underway. Sufficient PFD’s should be easily accessible and available to every passenger onboard.
(In addition the boat should have all of the required safety gear and a first aid kit)
Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey & Putah Creek
In addition to guided fishing charters on the Napa River there are also a number of guide services available for the local creeks and nearby catchment dams in Napa County. We haven’t had a chance to review the guide services fishing outside of the Napa River system yet but that’s something that may occur in the future. Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey and Putah Creek are the other main bodies of water that have licensed fishing guides you can hire and that carry populations of fish such as Trout, Kokanee, Crappie and Catfish.
Napa River Fishing Guides
Wombat Charters
Capt. Aussie Bob – Guided Striped Bass fishing charters by boat on the Napa River. Casting lures in the shallows on light spinning tackle and saltwater fly fishing for Stripers. Mako Pro Skiff 19 with Mercury 115hp outboard, 24v MinnKota Terrova trolling motor and two Lowrance HDS GPS/Sonar units. Departing from Cuttings Wharf Public Boat Launch easily accessible from highway 12/121 in Napa County ~ On the Napa River only 10-15 minutes from downtown Napa.
MacKenzie on the Fly
- MacKenzie On The Fly
Capt. Patrick Mackenzie – Guided Fly Fishing Charters in the Bay Area for Stripers. Departing from Cuttings Wharf Public Boat Launch easily accessible from highway 12/121 in Napa County ~ On the Napa River only 10-15 minutes from downtown Napa.
- Grossi’s Guide Service
Capt. Dennis Grossi – Trolling the Napa River for Stripers. Departing from Cuttings Wharf Public Boat Launch easily accessible from highway 12/121 in Napa County ~ On the Napa River only 10-15 minutes from downtown Napa.
- Feaster Fishing
Fly fishing Lake Berryessa and Putah Creek.
Contact us if you would like to have your full Napa County Fishing Guide Service listed here.