Lake Isabella Fishing

Kern County

Lake Isabella, Kern County, California
Lake Isabella, Kern County, California

Lake Isabella Fishing

Kern County


Fishing at Lake Isabella

Lake Isabella is home to largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. If you plan to fish from a boat, be sure to pick up a boating permit before launching into the lake. (See Lake Isabella Boating)

Where to Fish on Lake Isabella

The eastern side of Engineering Point (between the two dams) is reported by locals to be an especially hot spot for trout along with Boulder Gulch. Also along the auxiliary dam trout fishing is usually excellent. Bass fishermen like Rocky Point and the areas in the South Fork around French Gulch and Freear Point. Salmon are often taken around the flume and at Piney Point.

Good places to catch crappie are up the South Fork Arm, Freear Point, and in the vicinity of the French Gulch Marina. Bluegill are commonly found in the shallows of the coves. Anglers going after catfish like working around both dams, Paradise Cove, Stine Cove, and Boulder Gulch.

Sequoia National Forest Publication:
Fishing Regulations Made Easy: Kern River Ranger District



Lake Isabella fishing map, CA

Lake Isabella Record Fish

  • Rainbow Trout - 9 pounds, 10 ounces
  • Brown Trout - 22 pounds, 15 ounces
  • Largemouth Bass - 18 pounds, 14 ounces, caught by Keith Harper in 1984
  • Catfish - 50 pounds
  • Crappie - 3 pounds, 12 ounces

Bass

Crayfish, Plastic Worms, Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Rapalas, Senkos


Trout

Salmon Eggs, Rooser Tails, Kastmasters Spoons,
PowerBait, Marshmallows, Small Spoons and Spinners,
Flatfish

Kokanee

Father Murphy's Kokanee Bugs, Kastmasters

Catfish

Nightcrawlers, Chicken Livers, Clams, Anchovies

Crappie

Live Minnows, Meal Worms

Bluegill

Meal Worms, Dry Flies



Lake Isabella, Kern County, California

Lake Isabella


Lake Isabella Fishing Guide Services

Scotten Fishing Trips
Onyx, CA
(760) 378-1992
Website: Scotten Fishing Trips
Jerry Scotten provides every necessary for a great day of fishing on Lake Isabella. Base your trip at their Onyx Ranch in the Kern River Valley.

Kern River Fly Fishing Guide Service
11301 Kernville Rd., Kernville, CA
(866) 347-4876
Kern River Fly Fishing Guide Service
Fly fish for trout and bass along the Kern or into the Golden Trout Wilderness. Owner and Certified Casting Instructor Guy Jeans has over 30 years of experience fly fishing the Kern River.

Rusty Bass Hook
11301 Kernville Rd., Kernville, CA
(866) 347-4876
Rusty Bass Hook
Professional bass fisherman Rusty Brown offers special 3-day, 2-night package trips to Lake Isabella, including lodging. He uses a fully tournament rigged Ranger Bass Boat.


Lake Isabella Area
Fishing Tackle and Bait

James Sierra Gateway Markets
13432 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA
(760) 376-2424


Bob's Kern River Bait
8011 Niles St., Bakersfield, CA
(661) 366-7866

Website: Kern River Bait

Kern River Fly Shop
11301 Kernville Rd., Kernville, CA
(866) 347-4876

Website: Kern River Fly Shop

Bob's Bait Bucket
2131 S. Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA
(661) 833-8657


Joe's Bait Farm
3105 F St., Bakersfield, CA
(661) 301-3029



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