Isabella Lake, California - Fishing & Camping Information

Lake Isabella is a man-made earthen reservoir in Kern County, CA. Molded and created by the Isabella Dam in 1953, it is one of the larges reservoirs in the state at 11,000 acres. This lake is a dividing point for the Kern River. Upper Kern River flows into Lake Isabella and Lower Kern River flows out of the dam and toward Bakersfield. The nearby towns of Lake Isabella and Kernville, CA receive economic benefit from tourism created by the Lake Isabella Recreation Area and the whitewater rafting attraction of the Upper and Lower Kern River. Much of the wilderness surrounding the lake is part of the Sequoia National Forest. Many activities, including fishing, hiking, camping, windsurfing and water skiing can be enjoyed here.

Bluegill, brown trout, channel catfish, Chinook salmon, green sunfish, Kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, spotted bass, white catfish, Sacramento squawfish and landlocked steelhead are stocked heavily in Lake Isabella. The best all around fishing in California can be had at this lake, possibly one of California's best kept secrets. The next record large mouth bass for California will possibly be caught in Lake Isabella, home of the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, one of the nations largest trout derbies.