Fishing at Ida Lake, Tulare County, California

• Overview

  In California, Ida Lake belongs to Tulare County. It sits at 4,629 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Tulare County standards. The closest town, Kernville, is 18 miles distant. The nearest city of size is Visalia, 48 miles away. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Ida Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Tulare County include rainbow trout, brook trout and california golden trout. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Fish Ida Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 66°F; the cold one sits at 35°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. At Ida Lake the season follows that pattern closely. Spring fish sit shallower than most people expect.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Public data records a pier about 30 yards out. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Maggie Lakes, 20 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing here settles the position at Ida Lake for certain.