Lake Kaweah
Tulare County Bass, Trout, Catfish, Crappie
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What's Biting - 2 weeks ago
Bass
Good
Crappie
Good
Trout
Fair

Lake Kaweah Fishing Overview

Water Description

Lake Kaweah, where the prospects for big bass are as good as the views. With nearly 2,000 acres of crystal clear water and 22 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of lake and fish to make Kaweah a worthwhile designation for anglers. However, this wasn't always the case. In the past, the lake underwent a treatment to eliminate white bass. Since then, Lake Kaweah has undergone a remarkable transformation. Florida bass and spotted bass were added, and efforts were made to enhance the habitat. These measures paved the way for an optimal environment...

Lake Kaweah, where the prospects for big bass are as good as the views. With nearly 2,000 acres of crystal clear water and 22 miles of shoreline, there’s plenty of lake and fish to make Kaweah a worthwhile designation for anglers.

However, this wasn't always the case. In the past, the lake underwent a treatment to eliminate white bass. Since then, Lake Kaweah has undergone a remarkable transformation. Florida bass and spotted bass were added, and efforts were made to enhance the habitat. These measures paved the way for an optimal environment that nurtures sizable fish, evidenced by the lake record for largemouth bass weighing in at 17.5 pounds. Besides bass, the lake is also home to healthy populations of crappie and catfish. Moreover, during the late winter, rainbow trout are added to the lake, ensuring consistent fishing during the cooler months.

Anglers should exercise caution, especially during late summer and fall, as the receding water levels expose submerged rocks and structures, posing a potential hazard for boaters. Additionally, in years with less rainfall, water levels might vary due to irrigation demands from neighboring orchards. It's advisable to keep an eye on lake conditions before planning your fishing trip.

Species:
Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Channel Catfish, Crappie
Stocked Date:
Trout stocked 3 months ago - View Schedule
Boating / Access:
Boat ramps and rentals available.
Geography:
Surface Area: 1,945 acres
Surface Elevation: 650 ft
Good Bass bite
Trout, Bass, Crappie
71°F Slightly Stained

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...

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.

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Excellent Bass bite
Bass, Catfish, Crappie
72°F Clear

The water level is extremely low at Kaweah... around 10% of capacity... but the fishing has still been quite good. Water temps are dropping into the low 70s, and the cooling trend has started to fire up the bass bite. Most action is still on finesse stuff: drop shots, Senkos, and Ned rigs, though a few chatterbait and underspin fish have been...

The water level is extremely low at Kaweah... around 10% of capacity... but the fishing has still been quite good. Water temps are dropping into the low 70s, and the cooling trend has started to fire up the bass bite. Most action is still on finesse stuff: drop shots, Senkos, and Ned rigs, though a few chatterbait and underspin fish have been reported. Target rocky structure near steep transitions or points. A few anglers report insane 1–2 hour windows in the late morning where they can't keep fish off the line (25+ fish), so stick to an area if you catch one... a big school could be there.

Catfish action remains good on nightcrawlers and chicken liver, with late evenings or nights being best. Some nice crappie have also been reported jigging near submerged brush in 10–20 feet near rocky shoreline.

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TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW
TroutCDFW

Nearby Reports

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...

24 inches 5 lbs

Lake Kaweah Weather

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