Kern Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Tulare County, Kern Lake is a California water. Elevation runs to 6,257 feet. It covers about 8 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Start from Lone Pine, 28 miles down the road. Three Rivers lies 29 miles off, East Porterville another 36 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Kern Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, california golden trout, Sacramento sucker and black crappie. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Work Kern Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 60°F for August and 27°F for January. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan any trip to Kern Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try Little Kern Lake, 0.6 miles away. Ask locally about Kern Lake if anything is unclear.