Lake Kaweah Fishing Report

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.

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.

Kaweah’s dropping fast, and the fish are bunching up in all the right ways. With the lake sitting just under 30% and warm water in the high 70s, structure is king right now… especially submerged rock piles, deep brush, and any ledge providing shade. Spotted bass are the main show. Dropshot or Carolina-rigged soft plastic worms in natural colors are doing the work. Senkos are finding fish as well, and there’s a solid morning crankbait reaction bite. Midday is obviously tougher, but fish are there in the deeper zones… 20–25 feet.

Crappie action has been lights out over the last couple of weeks. Fish are stacking up tight to cover and destroying small shad soft plastics and live minnows. A few quality catfish are being picked up around the marina on chicken livers and other stink baits. Late evening has been best.