Tulare County
Tulare County Fishing Reports
Checkout the latest Tulare County fishing reports from local anglers and businesses.
Checkout the latest report from Guy Jeans (Kern River Fly Shop). Generally... The Kern’s running high, but there’s still fish to be had. On the Upper, trout are holding in soft edge water and eating streamers if you stay out of the main current. The incoming creeks are bouncing back from the fires, with wild browns taking dry-dropper rigs in deeper...
Checkout the latest report from Guy Jeans (Kern River Fly Shop). Generally... The Kern’s running high, but there’s still fish to be had. On the Upper, trout are holding in soft edge water and eating streamers if you stay out of the main current. The incoming creeks are bouncing back from the fires, with wild browns taking dry-dropper rigs in deeper pools. Down low, the river’s pushing hard from Isabella outflows... not great conditions, but fishable from the bank. View the video for more details.
The spawn is officially on. Water temps are holding in the mid to high 60s, and bass are right where you’d expect... posted up in classic spawning zones and just off the edges. Both largemouth and spots are being caught on dropshots, split-shots, tubes, and Ned rigs worked near shallow drop-offs. Brown/orange jigs and Senkos are getting picked up...
The spawn is officially on. Water temps are holding in the mid to high 60s, and bass are right where you’d expect... posted up in classic spawning zones and just off the edges. Both largemouth and spots are being caught on dropshots, split-shots, tubes, and Ned rigs worked near shallow drop-offs. Brown/orange jigs and Senkos are getting picked up too when working slow and tight to cover.
Crappie are stacking up in brush piles, submerged timber, and vertical structure. Folks are dropping shiners or grubs tight to these areas with decent success. The bite isn't wide open, but they are there.
Trout planted by CDFW a couple of weeks back are still producing limits. Powerbait, micetails, and floating nighcrawlers are getting bit the most.
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...
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.
