Kern River Fish Report for 5-2-2025
Trout have been found along the 20-mile stretch
Kern River

by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
5-2-2025
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In the Upper Kern, CDFW stocked trout this week. Trout have been found along the 20-mile stretch with split-shotting salmon eggs, minijigs, and spinners. Fly anglers have been doing well with nymphs, stripping streamers and dry flies in the afternoon. The Upper Kern River was stocked this week in Section 4, Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park in Kernville; and Section 5, Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge. This week in the Lower Kern, the CDFW stocked all three sections; Section 1, Democrat Beach to Lower Richbar; Section 2, Sandy Flat to Democrat Beach, and Section 3, Sandy Flat to Isabella Dam. Trout have been caught with salmon eggs, panther martins and minijigs. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action has been very good in the canyon and along the stretch leading into Bakersfield. Bass have been found with jigs, worms, and small crankbaits. Catfish can be found with cut sardines and SSS Dip Bait. At the time of reporting, the Upper Kern River is flowing at 1501 CFS and the Lower Kern River is flowing at 787 CFS.
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More Reports
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, May 2nd
California Aqueduct: Fishing has been good in the aqueduct
Castaic Lake: Castaic has been kicking out crazy numbers of large and smallmouth
Pyramid Lake, CA: Pyramid Lake held steady at approximately 90 percent of its storage capacity
Lake Isabella: The crappie bite is solid here with limit-style fishing going on
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, April 25th
California Aqueduct: The spring bite has sprung in the aqueduct with striped bass, largemouth, and catfish all biting
Castaic Lake: Castaic Lake continued a steady upward trend
Pyramid Lake, CA: Pyramid Lake held at 92 percent of its storage capacity, and bass fishing is heating up
Lake Isabella: The bass bite has really improved this week
Kern River: The flows have increased and are near 2000CFS
Lake Kaweah: Kaweah Lake rose to 71 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing has improved
Lake Success: The lake level rose to 76 percent of its storage capacity, and bass fishing has been good
River Walk Lakes: The bass action has improved the last couple weeks
Ming Lake: At Ming the Bass have turned on and are in full spring bite mode
Buena Vista Lakes: Anglers reported catching bass, catfish, and crappie at BV with largemouth as the best bet
Hart Park Lake: Fishing was good at Hart Park with largemouth as the best bet
Lake Nacimiento: Bass fishing has been excellent

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