Kern County Fishing Reports

Isabella water levels continue to drop, with the lake sitting around 31%. Releases are running near 880 cfs against almost nothing coming in, so the water is falling about a foot a week. Bass are still in that late-summer pattern, hanging 15 to 20 feet off points and around the submerged trees, with the better fish sitting deeper. Most of the action is on shad and bluegill patterns right now, so lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, and topwater (Spooks, Chappos) have been best. The reaction bite is good early morning and late afternoon. When the sun is up, your best bet is still a drop shot for numbers. Some folks are throwing out big 10 inch worms in green pumpkin style colors in 25-30 feet, landing quality fish.

Crappie anglers are finding fish near the Marina in 10 to 20 feet on small shiners and jigs. Catfish have been hitting nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers... late evening into the night is always best.

The Upper Kern is looking really good right now... water is clear and temps up near Johnsondale Bridge are sitting 65-68 degrees. Start at first light to about 10am before the heat sets in. Small flies are working best... little mayfly and Baetis nymphs, pheasant tails, soft-hackle pheasant tails, etc. Attractors are still getting bit, just downsize them. Caddis are coming off early morning and again from sunset to dark if you want to fish dries.

The Lower Kern is just now coming into its window. Flows are still on the high side but dropping and the water is clearing, with pockets and structure starting to show. Look for eddy lines and slack water off the fast stuff for bass. Smallmouth, largemouth, are spotted are all in play, plus crappie, bluegill and catfish.

This info was sourced from Guy Jean of the Kern River Fly Shop. Check out the video for more details.

The water level is dropping and temps are increasing, but there's still an excellent multi-species bite happening at Isabella right now. Bass guys are crushing 1-2 pound fish off points, rocks, and hard structure on soft plastics... Senkos, dropshots, and Flukes in shad colors. Some fish are keying in on crawdads too, so red jigs and crawfish-style baits are working as well. A 12-pounder was landed last week on a shad-colored crankbait, so the reaction bite is there, but it's best early and late in the day.

Crappie have been somewhat scattered... small schools are still around in the 20-foot range near submerged brush and wood. Live shiners are always the go-to, but minijigs are working also.

Catfish are hitting extremely well late in the evening on chicken livers and nightcrawlers.

A few trout are still being picked up as well near the North Fork in the early mornings. Soaking Powerbait or floated nightcrawlers is the best bet.