Kern River Fish Report - Kern River - River flows remain ideal

River flows remain ideal

Kern River - CA

by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
5-15-2026
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife continues to stock the Upper Kern, and river flows remain ideal. Trout fishing has been very good throughout the 20-mile stretch with anglers finding success on spinners, trout worms, salmon eggs, and attractor nymphs. This week, the Upper Kern was stocked in Section 4 from Powerhouse #3 to Riverside Park in Kernville and Section 5 from Fairview Dam to Lazy River Lodge. In the Lower Kern, trout action has been very good in the canyon with salmon eggs, GULP! Pinched Crawlers, garlic Powerbait, and spinners producing fish. Bass action remains solid on soft plastics, jigs, and crankbaits, while catfish are being caught on cut bait, nightcrawlers, and SSS Dip Bait. Flows were 1,385 CFS on the Upper Kern and 1,254 CFS on the Lower Kern at the time of reporting.

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More Reports

Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports

for Friday, May 15th

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Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports

for Friday, May 8th

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