Isabella Lake near Wofford Heights: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Kern County entry here is Isabella Lake, in California. It lies 2,572 feet above sea level. At roughly 9.2 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The shoreline runs to about 23 miles, far more than one trip can cover. Nothing else we list in Kern County covers more water. The closest town, Wofford Heights, is 3 miles away. The nearest city of size is Bakersfield, 39 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Isabella Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. County-wide records name bluegill, common carp, black crappie, green sunfish and channel catfish. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Fish Isabella Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 76°F at the top of summer and 44°F at the bottom of winter. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Isabella Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. A slipway is marked about 0.9 miles from here. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Lake Engle, 13 miles away. What applies at Isabella Lake may have changed since it was mapped.