Kern River Fish Report for 1-9-2026
The Upper Kern River received another scheduled CDFW trout plant this week
Kern River

by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
1-9-2026
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The Upper Kern River received another scheduled CDFW trout plant this week across a 20-mile stretch of river. Anglers are finding success with slow presentations using salmon eggs and trout jigs, while fly anglers are doing well on nymph patterns during the morning hours and blue-winged olive patterns during afternoon hatches. This week’s stocking took place in Section 4 from Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park in Kernville, Section 5 from Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge, and Section 6 from Fairview Dam to Johnsondale Bridge. On the Lower Kern River, the bass bite remains fair to good on crankbaits, jigs, and spinners, while catfish activity has slowed, though fish are still being caught on dip baits, nightcrawlers, and cut baits. At the time of reporting, river flows were 783 CFS on the Upper Kern and 860 CFS on the Lower Kern.
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More Reports
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, January 9th
California Aqueduct: The aqueduct bite was fair last week
Castaic Lake: Castaic was closed until further notice due to algae
Pyramid Lake, CA: Pyramid Lake was reported as reopened after recent storm damage
Lake Isabella: Recent storms have raised Lake Isabella to approximately 36 percent of capacity
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, January 2nd
California Aqueduct: California Aqueduct Fishing Report
Castaic Lake: Castaic rose to 80 percent of its storage capacity, and the water was muddy but fishable
Pyramid Lake, CA: Pyramid Lake will be closed until further notice due to storm damage
Lake Isabella: The bass bite has slowed with colder water temperatures, but fish are still being caught
Kern River: Flows have increased on the Upper Kern River
Lake Kaweah: Kaweah rose to 18 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was fair
Lake Success: Success Lake rose to 26 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was fair last week
River Walk Lakes: River Walk Lake Report
Ming Lake: Trout anglers are finding success on trout jigs, garlic scented Powerbait, and spinners
Buena Vista Lakes: Bass anglers worked Senkos and Texas-rigged lizards for fish to three pounds
Hart Park Lake: Anglers reported fair fishing at Hart Park, with largemouth and bluegill as the best bets
Lake Nacimiento: Nacimiento rose to 39 percent of its storage capacity, and the water was muddy
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