Kern County Fishing Reports

On the Upper Kern, flows are pumping right now, sitting at about 1,600 CFS below the powerhouse and around 1,000 CFS above it. It’s fishable, but not for the lazy. You’ll want to stick tight to the edges, pick apart the soft pockets, and find those slower seams behind big rocks and in eddies. Wading isn’t a casual stroll this time of year, so tread smart.

Clarity’s a little off-color but workable. Bigger, flashier flies are your friend right now — think buggers, San Juan worms, and nymphs with some bling under an indicator. The good news? A weather cooldown is on the way, and if temps drop like forecasted, flows might ease off by the weekend and open up more spots.

Down on the Lower Kern, water temps are up to the 60s and bass are starting to come alive. The bite should keep improving as things warm up.

Lake Ming has been kicking out some quality bass lately, with folks landing 4- to 6-pounders mostly on reaction baits—chatterbaits, square-bill crankbaits, and swimbaits. Water clarity isn’t great, so bright colors like white, chartreuse, and perch are working best.

CDFW is set to drop another trout load this week after a plant last week. Chartreuse PowerBait and pink-and-white micetails have been pulling limits,