Lake Isabella Fish Report for 10-9-2026
Lake Isabella has dropped slightly to 25 percent of capacity, but the bass bite remains solid
Lake Isabella - Lake Isabella, CA (Kern County)
by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
10-9-2026
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Lake Isabella has dropped slightly to 25 percent of capacity, but the bass bite remains solid, with water temperatures holding around 75 degrees. Anglers are finding good topwater action early around isolated stick-ups, rock piles, and brush with Spooks, poppers, jerkbaits, and other walking baits. As the day progresses, Texas-rigged 8- to 10-inch Rusty’s Big Worms in purple and black/blue have been producing quality bass around brush piles and points in 5 to 20 feet of water. Aaron’s Magic and red craw patterns are also getting bit. The crappie bite improved this week, with several reports of quality stringers coming in. Live minnows and small minijigs, including 2-inch Keitechs, are working well around structure in 10 to 20 feet of water. Catfish remain active throughout the lake and are biting Triple S dip bait, shad, and mackerel. Trout fishing is fair to good for anglers trolling near the dam with Needlefish and Flicker Shad.
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More Reports
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, October 9th
California Aqueduct: Fishing was good in the southern aqueduct
Castaic Lake: Castaic Lake fell slightly to 94 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was decent
Pyramid Lake, CA: The lake remained at full pool, and fishing was good for all species
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, October 2nd
California Aqueduct: Anglers reported a slower striped bass bite in the aqueduct, with catfish taking up the slack
Castaic Lake: Castaic was at full pool, and water temperatures were in the mid-70s
Pyramid Lake, CA: Pyramid Lake sat at 90 percent of capacity, and water conditions were poor
Lake Isabella: Lake Isabella has dropped slightly to 26 percent of capacity, but fishing remains solid
Kern River: In the Upper Kern, the trout bite picked up this week following recent CDFW stockings
Lake Kaweah: Kaweah Lake remained at 11 percent of capacity, and fishing was good
Lake Success: The lake remained near 13 percent of its storage capacity and bass anglers did well
River Walk Lakes: At River Walk, bass fishing has been steady in both lakes
Ming Lake: At Ming, bass action has been steady along the river side shallows
Buena Vista Lakes: Bass anglers reported decent fall fishing at BV
Hart Park Lake: Bass fishing was steady at Hart Park
Lake Nacimiento: Nacimiento fell to 35 percent of its storage capacity, and bass fishing remained good
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