Every year we can expect the beaches around Lake Isabella to become larger as the water levels fall, and this year is no exception. Due to the lack of rain and snowfall this past winter, causing this being a drought year, Lake Isabella is falling sooner and faster than normal.

As of Monday, August 6th, the Lake contains about 112,917 acre-feet of water, - over 77,000 acre-feet shy of normal, and nowhere near the 335,000 acre-feet reported around this time last year.

Even with the low numbers, jet-skis, paddle-boarding, kayaking and great fishing are all still available to the public on the lake. The normally windy conditions on the lake are still perfect for sailing, and families have been spotted on the beaches flying kites.

Fishing boats, pontoon boats, and wave runners are all still available to rent from the local marinas, and rafting companies are renting paddle-boards and kayaks. According to the weekly fishing report by Matt Freeman of the Kern Valley Sun, crappie, very large catfish, and even bass are being caught in the lake from Rocky Point, all the way to Boulder Gulch.

Despite the lower-than-desired water levels, there is still plenty of water for fun and still so much to do and see in the Kern River Valley. The temperatures are expected to hit the triple digits again for this weekend and Lake Isabella is still the ideal spot to beat the heat while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.