Tulare County Fishing Reports

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.

Weekly CDFW trout stocks continue on the Kern across the South Fork and upper sections 4 and 5... some of the most accessible water on the upper river. Spin anglers are finding fish on spinners, spoons, and jigs. Fly guys are getting bit on nymphs. The standard spots are holding fish... focus on deeper pools and eddies where the current breaks.

The lower Kern hasn't seen a trout plant since April, but fish are still around and eating. Slower water is producing on Powerbait and mice tails, with spinners and reaction stuff getting bit more so in the early mornings. Bass fishing has been good on finesse plastics... dropshots and smaller jigs are working, with a solid reaction bite in the early hours on jerkbaits and crankbaits. Catfish action has been excellent in the slowest, deepest sections.

Lake Kaweah is filling up fast this spring, now over 95% capacity. Water temps are sitting in the low 70s, and the high water is unlocking some great new structure for fish to hold to. Bass have been all over the lake... pretty much anywhere that looks "fishy." Back of coves, wood, rocky slopes, and points have all been producing. Most fish are under 2 pounds, but the occasional 3–4 pounder is showing up, usually in deeper spots. Finesse has been the ticket... small swimbaits, Senkos, and drop shots in purple, brown, or green pumpkin.

Crappie reports are encouraging as well, with the bite firing off in the mornings on live minnows and jigs. They're holding tight to submerged brush in 15–20 feet of water in the backs of quieter coves.

A few trout guys have hooked into stockers (the last plant was in March) and some larger holdovers trolling Yo Zuris in the early morning. The bite is inconsistent, but they are still there.