Matt Freeman

Trout, Big Trout. Remember hearing and reading about the DFG stocking trout again in the Kern. Well, they did not just start stocking, they stocked some huge fish.

I mean huge, they put some 10 pounders in. I have heard stories of people breaking off fish without even seeing them. DFG stocked them in the Upper Kern from the Powerplant down to Riverside park and they are biting more and more. Get out there and take a shot at them, this is a great opportunity to land a really big fish in the river. Use the normal trout baits, but for even more fun try to hook one on a flypole or with a lure like a Panther Martin or Roostertale, it is like Steelhead fishing! If some of those fish are left over they will most likely spawn this spring along with the fish in the lake running up the river and those left over from stocking for the upcoming Trout Derby. I think we are gonna have some great trout fishing in the river for some time to come.

Trout are also hitting in the lake in the normal spots: BS Beach, Paradise Cove, French Gulch Marina, Red's Marina being some of the best areas.

I have heard a couple reports of some bass being caught lately. With spring time officially here March 20, we are gonna see the Bass start turning on. Right now they are deep, probably not even in pre-spawn mode.

Focus on Rocky Point, Piney Point and Engineer Point. Fish deep and slow and use large lures or live bait. They are there and in numbers and they are big but right now they have to really want to eat. Put something in front of their face and chances are they eventually will. Get ready for about 1-2 months from now when the spawn is in full swing, that is a fun time to fish.

With the storms gone and the weather warming Crappie and Bluegill are starting to turn on as well along with the Catfish. The bite at French Gulch Marina for Crappie is kind of hit and miss right now but you can count on the fact that the fish are there.

Look for the crappie to be moving into shallow water for the spawn when the water hits about 57 degrees and the lake starts coming up because of spring runoff.

The way to get them is to eyeball some good shoreline structure in coves now that it’s above the water. Remember where it is, because when the water is up the Crappie will be hanging on that structure.

They spawn a little earlier than the Bass and Bluegill due to water temperature and they are fun to catch and probably the best eating fish in the lake and Lake Isabella is full of them.

Don't forget the Lower Kern as well. I have heard several good reports of trout being caught down there recently now that DFG has started stocking again. Also, remember the lower has a small but real healthy population of Large Rainbow Trout that are a self-sustaining population. You have hike to them and know how to fish for them but they are there, and they get big.

The Lower Kern also has Smallmouth Bass, which are a hoot on light tackle and will bit pretty much anything if you can find them. Smallies act a lot like trout but they bunch up and fight hard for their size. Look for them to really turn on if we get a few weeks of warm weather.

All in all, looking like a great year of fishing for the Valley. We have water, that is the best news. The high country should fish well this year and the river and lake are gonna be great. Runoff is gonna be good if they will let the lake fill up as much as it can get ready for a great year of fishin.

Til' next time, tight lines and loose drags!