06/19/2026
***FISH REPORT FRIDAY, June 19, 2026***
FREE Daiwa Rod & Reel Combo for any dad who brings his kids on a June Cope's charter!
Come fishing with Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop!! We have the best charter giveaways for our anglers! We give away a raffle rod and Cope's Tackle gift card to every fisherman and bring sponsor prizes/giveaways on all our charters! PLUS!! All anglers on Cope's Tackle sponsored trips are automatically entered into our BIG LING OF THE YEAR CONTEST!
Visit our website at Charters and Events to book your spots today!
June 20th, 2026 - ¾ Day Charter w/Gentleman Sportfishing
June 21st, 2026 - ¾ Day Charter w/Island Fox Sportfishing
July 9th, 2026 - Overnight Charter w/Mirage Sportfishing (Departs 6/8)
July 18th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
July 23rd, 2026 - Overnight Charter w/Mirage Sportfishing (Departs 7/22)
August 1st, 2026 - ¾ Day Charter w/Gentleman Sportfishing
August 15th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
September 12th (Departs Friday 9/11), 2026 - Overnight Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
October 10th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
November 14th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
December 12th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing
Thank you to all the great anglers out there who help contribute to Bakersfield’s only local fishing report. Please send us pictures of your best catches of the week to be featured in next week’s report.
**California Aqueduct**
The aqueduct bite was decent, but thick moss made most techniques difficult to fish effectively. Anglers still caught striped bass on weightless cut sardines, anchovies, and live worms drifted in the moving current, while flukes and swimbaits also produced fish despite requiring frequent cleaning after nearly every cast. Weightless Senkos worked for bass holding in the eddies, and drop-shot rigs with longer leaders also took fish. Some anglers targeted bluegill and crappie around the outtake grates with redworms and mini jigs, while others found success catching American shad and smaller striped bass on mini jigs. Catfishing remained tough because the heavy slime continually fouled baits and tackle.
**Castaic Lake**
The lake remained at full pool, with water temperatures in the low to mid-70s. The algae bloom spread throughout the lake, but it did not stop anglers from catching plenty of fish. Bass anglers used small finesse baits on drop-shot rigs in shad, oxblood, and dark green colors to fool fish as deep as 30 feet. Senko-style baits were also productive, with the weightless wacky rig seeing the most action. Topwater lures, smaller jerkbaits, and small swimbaits accounted for a good number of bass as well. Many of the reaction baits pulled double duty on bass and stripers, with Espetits and other walking baits taking fish on the surface. The cut-bait crowd found biting stripers at the buoy line, Elizabeth Canyon, and near Center Point. Catfish were caught on cut sardines and dip bait fished on the bottom.
**Pyramid Lake**
The lake remained full, and the bite was strong for bass and striped bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass both fell for just about any topwater lure until the shadows faded. Fish were also reported on topwater frogs worked over the grassy mats in the backs of coves. The normal finesse techniques, such as drop-shots, shaky heads, and Senkos, produced bites throughout the day along bluff walls, points, and rocky shorelines. Bass held from 5 to 30 feet deep, with some fish taking spoons in deeper water. The striped bass bite was good for some anglers while others struggled. Several bait anglers did well on fresh frozen sardine chunks, while those using older bait did not fare as well. Limits were the norm for anglers using fresh bait. Trolling umbrella rigs produced the bigger fish. This remained a specialized bite, with a few local guides keeping depths and trailer choices a tightly guarded secret. Blind-casting Espetits, small Spooks, and other walking baits also accounted for striped bass. Some boils were reported, but anglers had to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of that bite.
***Isabella Lake***
Lake Isabella has dropped slightly and is currently sitting at approximately 60% capacity. The bass bite has been excellent throughout the lake, with fish holding in 5 to 20 feet of water around rocky points and tree lines in both the North and South Forks. Topwater baits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, Senkos, jigs, chatterbaits, and swimbaits are all producing fish. Crappie continue to bite well around submerged brush and docks in 20 to 30 feet of water on mini-jigs, small swimbaits, and live shiners. Catfish action has improved during the evenings and at night, with cut baits, chicken liver, clams, and nightcrawlers producing fish in deeper coves and creek channels. Trout are still being caught near the Cemetery and North Fork areas on PowerBait, nightcrawlers, and spoons, while bluegill remain active in the shallows around French Gulch Marina.
**Kern River**
The Upper Kern River continues to provide good trout fishing thanks to regular California Department of Fish and Wildlife stockings. Anglers are finding success throughout the 20-mile stretch using salmon eggs, crickets, Panther Martin spinners, and a variety of fly patterns. CDFW is scheduled to stock Section 6 from Fairview Dam to Johnsondale Bridge this week. On the Lower Kern, trout are still being caught on salmon eggs, chartreuse garlic PowerBait, and small spinners. Bass action remains steady on soft plastics, jigs, and small crankbaits, while catfish are being caught on cut baits and nightcrawlers. River flows were reported at 863 CFS on the Upper Kern and 1,826 CFS on the Lower Kern.
**Lake Kaweah**
Kaweah Lake dropped to 77 percent of capacity, and anglers reported a fair to decent bite. Bass were most responsive to finesse presentations, with 3- and 4-inch baits in brown, purple, and green producing the best results. Slow-worked brass-and-glass rigs, weightless Senkos, and topwater walking baits also accounted for fish. Crappie anglers continued to find success near Horse Creek using small live minnows.
**Lake Success**
Success dropped to 80 percent of capacity, but fishing remained good, especially during the morning and evening hours. Bass anglers found success on topwater poppers near trees and shallow points early, then switched to drop-shot Roboworms, Hula grubs, and deep-diving crankbaits later in the day. Catfish were caught after dark on chicken liver and dip bait fished on Carolina rigs, while crappie anglers continued to target submerged trees with live minnows and mini jigs.
**River Walk Lakes**
River Walk Park is producing solid bass action, with the best bite occurring during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Anglers are finding success on drop-shot rigs, Senkos, and jigs, with brown, green pumpkin, and Aaron’s Magic proving to be top colors. Topwater action has also improved, making frogs and poppers excellent choices during the morning bite. Bluegill fishing remains excellent throughout the lake, with live worms under a bobber and drop-shot presentations producing consistent catches.
**Ming Lake**
Bass action remains good, with fish hitting topwater lures during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Frogs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits have all been producing fish throughout the day. The crappie bite has been fair, with mini-jigs providing the most consistent action. Bluegill continue to bite well on live worms fished near shoreline structure, and anglers are also reporting several quality carp being caught on dough baits.
*Buena Vista Lakes*
Fishing was decent at BV, with bass anglers managing to catch a few fish each outing as bass held in and around the cattails and reeds, which was typical for the season. Flipping baits, topwater lures, Senkos, and spinnerbaits worked best when fished tight to cover. Crappie anglers found success despite the lower lake level by targeting deeper structured areas, with live minnows producing the most bites. Catfishing was slow overall, but anglers who fished after dark with chicken liver or SSS dip bait experienced the best results.
**Hart Park Lake**
Fishing stayed productive at Hart Park, with bass and bluegill providing the best action. Bass were caught on Texas-rigged 6” straight tailed worms, green pumpkin Senkos, and beaver tails baits punched through the heavy vegetation. Bluegill anglers found steady success using worms, waxworms, and mealworms beneath floats. Catfish were also caught on dip bait, chicken liver, and cut baits fished on the bottom.
**Nacimiento Reservoir**
The lake dropped to 56 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was very good for anglers willing to brave the heat. Mornings were excellent for poppers and walking baits, with many anglers reporting countless topwater blowups. For those fishing deeper in the water column, drop-shots, Ned rigs, and Neko rigs all produced fish in 10 to 30 feet of water. Rocky structure and secondary points were productive areas to target bass. Spotted bass also responded well to deep-diving jerkbaits and small swimbaits in shad colors. White bass chased shad to the surface and hit topwater lures throughout the day, while spoons and white swimbaits were also effective. Catfish anglers found success with cut mackerel, nightcrawlers, and dip bait, and crappie remained near docks and submerged rock piles in water as deep as 25 feet. Mini jigs and small swimbaits worked well for the panfish.
****Trout Plants****
Week of June 14th
• Upper Kern River Section 6
****Ocean Fishing****
*San Diego*
On Wednesday, the San Diego returned from the Coronado Islands with 54 yellowtail and 28 calico bass for 35 anglers. The Apollo checked in from a 1.5-day trip with 17 yellowtail and 2 dorado for 13 anglers. The Voyager returned from a 2-day trip with 49 yellowtail and 3 bluefin tuna for 12 anglers, while the Polaris Supreme reported 57 yellowtail, 30 bluefin tuna, and 85 vermilion rockfish on a 3-day trip with 24 anglers.
*Dana Point/San Pedro*
The Amigo returned with 21 yellowtail, 50 calico bass, 14 bonito, 7 sheephead, and 6 barracuda for 10 anglers. The Pursuit reported 14 yellowtail, 124 calico bass, 34 sheephead, 32 whitefish, 10 barracuda, 3 bonito, and 65 blue perch for 38 anglers, while releasing an additional 150 calico bass. The Monte Carlo had 140 sculpin, 2 sheephead, 1 whitefish, and 1 barracuda for 28 anglers.
*Channel Islands/Ventura*
On Wednesday, the Aloha Spirit returned from a full-day trip with 208 rockfish, 52 ocean whitefish, 7 calico bass, 6 barracuda, and 1 sculpin for 30 anglers. The Graylight reported 5 white seabass and 10 calico bass for 6 anglers on a full-day trip. The Mirage returned from an overnight trip with 7 white seabass, 2 halibut, 180 rockfish, and 9 ocean whitefish for 19 anglers. The Ranger 85, on day three of a three-day trip, landed 23 white seabass, 7 yellowtail, 62 lingcod, 385 rockfish, 36 ocean whitefish, 6 cabezon, and 2 sheephead for 25 anglers.
*Port San Luis/Morro Bay*
On Wednesday, the Flying Fish returned from a half-day trip with 183 rockcod, 10 red rockcod, 6 lingcod, 3 copper rockfish, and 2 whitefish for 20 anglers. The Starfire reported 160 rockcod, 6 whitefish, 5 red rockcod, 5 copper rockfish, and 1 lingcod for 17 anglers on its half-day trip. The Endeavor out of Morro Bay landed 100 rockcod, 8 copper rockfish, 5 lingcod, and 2 red rockcod for 11 anglers on a 3/4-day trip.
