Mike Vradenburg

Lake anglers were real productive catching lots of good size bass, catfish, crappie, and trout around the lake. River fishing was real productive for anglers fishing in the isolated areas, and where the river enters the lake. Flume fishing has remained good.

Trout fishing is good around the lake. Fish are biting along the shore line in the north fork area, off the dams, and off the shore line from the Auxiliary Dam to Piney Point. Baits working best are floating bait, and salmon eggs. Boat anglers are doing real good with night crawlers suspended below a bobber, and others are trolling with flashy spoons, spinners, and plastics imitating the shad. Fishermen are seeing the most action in the morning and evening hours.

John Strange from Sierra Gateway Market, said, “Trout fishing in the river was good this past week. Fishermen are catching nice trout up river, and from Kernville Park to the lake. George Gallego caught two trout near Limestone Campground on salmon eggs. The largest trout was 3.5 pounds and the smaller fish was 2.5 pounds”.

Zach Kinler from Kern River Fly Fishing Store said, “Fly fishermen are catching nice size trout in the river on dry flies. Anglers are doing the best in the morning and evening hours. The backpacking trip to the Golden Trout Wilderness returned on August 8. The trip received great reviews from its participants.” For fly fishing information contact, Guy Jeans at Kern River Fly Fishing, 376-2040 or online at kernriverflyfishing.com.

Fishermen are catching good size trout in the flume. The best places to fish are where the flume opens up after a tunnel or chute, and after it dumps into the Kern River below Borel Canal. Salmon eggs, and night crawlers are working the best. Many of the larger trout recently stocked in the lake are now being caught in the flume.

Yvonne Stockwell from the US Forest Service said, “The flume is open to fishing below the closure area”.

Bass, Catfish, and Crappie are being caught around the lake throughout the day. Anglers are reporting many nice size fish are being caught on live bait and artificials.

Ed Cordell from Big Ed's Fishing Store said, “Good size bass are being caught. They are biting near shore in the early morning, and then move to deeper water 4-10 feet in the later part of the day.” The next ABA Bass Tournament will be held Saturday at Lake Isabella. For more information contact Ed at Big Ed's.

Crappie fishing remains outstanding with anglers catching three-quarter pound to one and one-half pound fish. Smaller crappie are being caught near shore on jigs and worms. Larger crappie are biting on minnows, plastic minnows, and night crawlers in deeper water. Anglers doing the best are fishing in the small submerged trees in the south side of Stine Cove, and in the rocks and submerged trees at Piney Point. Jigs, worms, rubber grubs, minnows, night crawlers, and plastic minnows/crankbait are the main baits used.

Catfish are biting real good around the lake. The best baits to use are night crawlers, minnows, shad, clams, and plastic minnows. Anglers catching the biggest catfish are fishing in the deeper areas of the lake. Drop-offs, rock outcroppings, and the channels near the submerged trees are the deep areas.