Kern River Fish Report for 8-22-2025
Anglers are starting to see more native trout showing compared to holdovers
Kern River

by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
8-22-2025
Website
The Upper Kern has not been stocked for a couple of months, and anglers are starting to see more native trout showing compared to holdovers. In the popular 20-mile stretch, trout are being caught on artificials, mini jigs, worms, crickets, and salmon eggs. Fly anglers are reporting good results using attractor nymphs, bead head Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Parachute Adams, and small streamers, especially in deeper pockets and behind boulders. On the Lower Kern, the smallmouth bass bite remains steady, with fish taking double-tail grubs on finesse jig heads as well as Roostertails. Catfish action is also consistent, with worms, chicken liver, and cut bait producing fish. As of this report, flows are at 209 CFS in the Upper Kern and 1,003 CFS in the Lower Kern.
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More Reports
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, August 22nd
California Aqueduct: The aqueduct produced striped bass, largemouth, and catfish last week
Castaic Lake: Fishing has been excellent, especially for bass
Pyramid Lake, CA: Bass anglers reported fair to good action
Lake Isabella: Fishing action remains very good across the lake
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, August 15th
California Aqueduct: Anglers reported decent fishing in the aqueduct
Castaic Lake: Surface activity picked up as all species of bass
Pyramid Lake, CA: Bass fishing was hit or miss
Lake Isabella: Despite the drawdown, the bass bite is holding strong for shoreline anglers
Kern River: Anglers are noticing a higher ratio of wild and native trout compared to hatchery holdover
Lake Kaweah: The lake dropped to 9 percent of its storage capacity, and anglers reported fair to good fishing
Lake Success: Bass anglers reported fair action
River Walk Lakes: Bass action at both the Main and Amphitheater lakes
Ming Lake: The bass bite at Ming Lake remains solid
Buena Vista Lakes: Buena Vista Lakes Report
Hart Park Lake: Anglers reported fair fishing at Hart Park
Lake Nacimiento: Anglers continued to enjoy strong fishing action

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