Black Bass Begin to Stage for Spring Spawn

SACRAMENTO – Bass fishing on Lake Berryessa is the hottest bite now as smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass begin to stage in shallower water in preparation for the spring spawn.

“Fishing is pretty good as the bass start staging for the spawn,” said Don Paganelli of Paganelli’s Bass Fishing Experience. “All three bass species are hitting now. The smallmouth, spotted and largemouth bass are fattening up for the spawn. We will see them move onto the beds soon.”

“On my last trip, we caught and released around 15 bass at Berryessa, including all three species,” advised Paganelli. “The fish averaged 1-1/2 to 2 pounds each, with a couple of 3 to 4 ...