Kern Angler 2012

Kern Angler Kern River & Isabella Lake year-round fishing guide www.kernrivercourier.com Spring 2012

Kern AnglerKern AnglerThe Kern Angler is a special editionproduced by the Kern River Courier

Publisher Michael Batelaan

Contributing writerMike MencariniPhotographersMichael BatelaanAd ProductionMichael Batelaan, Mike LudikerAdvertising SalesValerie Minoux, Sara WakemanBusiness OfficeSara WakemanAdvertising policiesPublisher reserves the right to reject or cancelany advertising at any time. Cancellations orrejection shall not preclude payment on similaradvertising previously run. The Kern RiverCourier is not liable for errors in copy or anadvertisement beyond the cost of the actualspace occupied by the error. Publisherreserves the right to place the word “advertise-

ment” on any ad copy that appears to resembleeditorial matter. Reproduction policiesThe entire contents of the Kern Angler arecopyrighted ©2012 by Kern River Courier.Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibitedwithout prior written consent. All rightsreserved.

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1145Wofford Heights, CA 93285Office:6392B Wofford Blvd.Wofford Heights(next to WH Post Office)

Phone: 760-376-2860Fax: 760-376-2862E-mail address:[email protected] Hours:Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.and by appointment.

©2012 Kern Angler/Kern River CourierAll Rights Reserved.

Profiling the Isabella Lake fishery

To Johnsondale

2mile

8mile

10mile

6mile

190

190

4mile

12mile

16mile

14mile

18mile

20mile

Gold Ledge

Limestone

Fairview Dam

Salmon Creek

Salmon Falls

Cannell Creek

Satan’s Slot

Enterance

Fairview

South Creek

Camp 3

Sock-em-dog

Fender Bender

Joes Diner

Limestone

Tobias Creek

Packsaddle Creek

Brush Creek

To Wofford Heights

Kernville •

Bull Run Creek

Headquarters

Bombs Away

• Corral Creek• Springhill

• Chamise Flat• Calkins Flat

• Roads End

Hospital Flat

• Halfway

• Chico Flat

• Thunderbird

• Kernville Fish Hatchery

To Black Rock

Ewings

• Riverkern

• Fairview

north•

190

Towns

Rapids

River, Streams& Creeks

Roads& Highways

Campgrounds

• Day Use

• Other Interests

miles 0

KR3 Powerhouse

Tagged fish Three-daycaught prize total2011: 191 $26,590*2010: 258 $75,810***2009: 182 $30,640**2008: 116 $6,5102007: 253 $13,2302006: 311 $25,140*2005: 224 $10,3602004: 275 $14,2802003: 208 $10,7002002: 183 $ 8,8702001: 44 $ 2,330

Isabella Lake Fishing Derby Historical DataTagged fish Three-daycaught prize total2000: 148 $ 6,9201999: 269 $ 9,5001998: 305 $15,3801997: 138 $ 6,5001996: 85 $ 4,0201995: 250 $15,0001994: 247 $23,000*1993: 104 $ 8,8601992: 235 $13,6001991: 303 $ 8,9101990: 348 $ 6,160

* One $10,000 fish caught during derby three-day weekend** Two $10,000 fish caught during derby three-day weekend*** Six $10,000 fish caught during derby three-day weekend

Total entries:2011: 6,7352010: 6,5472009: 8,8202008: 5,0822007: 4,6082006: 3,906

2005: 3,8352004: 3,2892003: 2,6432002: 3,4732001: 3,8332000: 4,702

1999: 4,1911998: 4,8981997: 4,0801996: 5,0211995: 5,8001994: 3,790

1993: 5,3551992: 4,3151991: 3,0141990: 4,704

Mike MencariniKern Angler

Prior to the construction of LakeIsabella the lake bed as we now know itwas a gold rush town known asWhiskey Flats. In the early part of the1900's the town prospered and the namewas changed to Kernville. The KernRiver flowed just on the outskirts oftown, all the way to Bakersfield. As thecity of Bakersfield grew as an agricultur-al community, the need for waterincreased. In the late 1940's the ArmyCorp of Engineers developed plans tocreate an artificial lake. The area bestsuited was where the town of Kernvilleand Old Isabella then stood. Beginningin the late 1940's some homes and busi-nesses were moved to what is nowKernville just a few miles up the roadand Lake Isabella a couple of milesbelow the new lake. Everything else wasdynamited and razed. When the con-struction of the Main Dam and theAuxiliary Dam were finished in 1953,there was California's largest man madelake, 568,075 acre-feet at full pool.

Lake Isabellais renowned for its huge

bass, with many fish hitting the teenson the scales. With an abundance ofshad, crappie, bluegill and the periodicstocking of trout, Isabella bass haveplenty of food to grow them big. Somesay that Isabella could produce the nextCalifornia record bass.

Whether fishing from shore or froma boat, Isabella trout are easily caught.The lake has a great fishery for trout, asthe Department of Fish and Game, andthe Chamber of Commerce annuallystock thousands of pounds of beautifulrainbows in Isabella. Trout in the 4 to 6pound class are not uncommon.

Isabella features a year round crap-pie bite with both white and blackspecies in the lake. In the spring whenthe lake water level begins to raise,large schools of crappie can be found inthe submerged willows of the Northand South Forks of the lake.

The Kern River Valley is a sports-man's paradise with great year roundfishing and hunting with a mix of hik-ing, camping, biking, rafting and an air-port for those who have a small plane.There are plenty of accommodations tofit everyone's needs and budget.

Upper Kern River

Rainbow TroutLateral band on the sidesis reddish to violet. Quitesilvery except on theback. No small red spotson the sides.

Brown TroutDark brown or olive brownon the back, shading togolden brown on thesides and white or yellowon the belly.

Little Kern GoldenTroutHighly colored with dis-tinctive shades of red andyellow on lower sides andbelly.

Large Mouth BassUpper jaw extends past avertical line drawn throughrear margin of eye. Dorsalfin deeply notched com-pared to small mouth bass.

Small Mouth BassDark vertical barring onsides. Upper jaw does notextend to rear margin ofeye and dorsal fin notdeeply notched.

Black CrappieSilvery with irregular darkgreen or black mottling.Length of dorsal findabout equal to front ofdorsal fin to eye.

Blue GillDark spot at rear base ofdorsal fin, vertical bars onsides, body very deep andcompressed, mouth small,pectoral fins long, pointed.

Red Ear SunfishOpercular lobe stiff, withbroad red or orange marginbelow and behind. Gill rak-ers short and stout. Pectoralfins long and pointed.

Channel CatfishSmall irregular spots onsides. Tail deeply forked,with pointed lobes. 24 to 29rays on anal fin. Narrowerhead than white catfish.

Black Bullhead Fin membranes usuallyblack. Pectoral spineweakly barbed on rearedge. Tail squarish and isnot deeply forked.

Kokanee SalmonHas elongated, torpedoshaped body, bluntlypointed snout. Typical col-oration is bright red with apale green head.

CarpBody ranges from brassygreen to golden to silver.Humped appearance, largescales. Long dorsal fin.

FISH FINDER:Game fish of the Kern River and Isabella Lake

A quickidentificationguide

Spring 2012 www.kernrivercourier.com Kern River & Isabella Lake year-round fishing guide Kern Angler

24 Sirretta StreetKernville, CA760-376-2345

■ Full Hook-Ups

■ Shaded Campsites

■ 30/50 Amp Service

■ Tents Welcome

■ Table & Fire Ring/Grill

■ Hot Showers (Included)

■ Air Compressor Station

■ Dump Station

■ Ice & Firewood For Sale

■ Laundry Available

■ Year Round Camping

■ RV StorageYou can find us between Ewings Rapid and theKernville Bridge with over 1,000' of Private Shoreline!

Every site is equipped with water and electric (mostinclude sewer)... no generators here!

Our downtown location is easy and convenient for ourguests to explore the restaurants and shops.

Come visit us today to take a look around and bookyour next vacation to the Kern River Valley!

www.campkernville.com“Now Taking Online Reservations”

Monthly (Long term) Sites are AvailableCirclePark

RiverViewRV Park ■■

Bridge

Kernville Road

N

Sir

retta

St

■Ewings

Win aWeekend

Gateaway!Stop by the park,

check us out & leaveyour business card

Raffle for newcustomers only.


178

155

178

178

Diversion Dam

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

To Bakersfield

• Democrat Hot Springs

• Democrat Picnic /Day Use Area

Pin Ball

Horseshoe Falls

Mill CreekSycamore Creek Delonegha Bridge

Delonegha Creek

Greenhorn Creek

Lilly Canyon

Royal Flush

• Delonega Hot Springs

Old

Ker

n Ca

nyon

R

d

Old Kern Canyon Rd

• Lake Isabella

Isabella LakeTo Kernville

Hobo

Pearl Harbor Drive

Keyesville Bridge

White Maiden’sWalkway

Main Dam

Auxillary Dam

Sandy FlatBorel Powerhouse

Miracle Hot Springs •

Main Dam

• Keyesville SouthKeyesville •

Slippery Rock •

China Gardens •

mile

mile

mile

mile

mile

mile

mile

mile

north•

190

Towns

Rapids

River, Streams& Creeks

miles

Roads& Highways

Campgrounds

• Day Use

• Other Interests

To Southlake

mile

0

Unimproved Road

Lower Kern River

KERN VALLEYCANYON CONNECTIONTHE LONGEST EXISTING KERN RIVER VALLEY

COMMUNITY FORUMSBOARD RECENTLY UPDATED & STILL PROVIDING

VISITOR, FISHING & HUNTING INFO / DISCUSSIONS

SERVING THOUSANDS SINCE 1995!

760-376-2177Everything You

Need to Impress The World...

In One Location

No ObligationQuotes & Answers

Always ShopBefore You Invest!

Check it Yourself... JustGoogle, Yahoo or Bing ~ Kern Valley

Welcome Back

Returning Fishermen

Our Fishing Forum has renewed it’s

active exchange now that stocking has

resumed. Join the Discussions,

Ask questions, Share info & concerns.

DERBY Continued from page 1

almost all of the prizes. Derby regis-tration closes at 7 a.m. on Saturday,March 31. Once that time haspassed, it is too late. When thederby begins, there are no moreregistrations.

Derby registration costs only $20for an individual and a bargain priceof $45 for a five-person family andonly $5 more for each additionalchild. Tickets for the boat are $20each or six for $100.

In-person pre-registration willbe held at the Kern River ValleyChamber of Commerce office at6404 Lake Isabella Blvd. until noonon Thursday, March 29. BeginningFriday, March 30, Derby headquar-ters moves to the Moose Lodge at6732 Lake Isabella Blvd.

You can also register by mail toKRVCC, P.O. Box 567, Lake IsabellaCA 93240 or go online towww.isabellafishingderby.com

Kern River Valley informationEmergencies call■ Ambulance■ Fire■ Law Enforcement■ Search & Rescue■ Lake Patrol■ Forest Service

Sheriff/CHP Substation7046 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake IsabellaWeekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.business calls only, 760-549-2100

Kern County Fire StationsKernville Station 7611018 Kernville RoadKernvillebusiness calls only, 760-376-2219

Lake Isabella Station 724500 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabellabusiness calls only, 760-379-2626

Southlake Station 719000 Navajo Ave.Weldonbusiness calls only, 760-378-3055

Kern Valley HospitalEmergency DepartmentMcCray & LaurelMountain Mesa760-379-2681

Recreation informationU.S. Forest ServiceIsabella Lake office:4875 Ponderosa Drive. 760-379-5646

Kernville office:105 Whitney Rd.760-376-3781(around the corner from the museum)Closed weekends.

General infomationKern River Valley Chamber of Commerce6404 Lake Isabella Blvd.Lake Isabella(across from Senior Center)Local: 760-379-5236Toll Free: 866-KRV4FUN

KernvilleChamber of Commerce11447 Kernville Rd. Kernville(corner Sierra Way & Kernville Roads) Local: 760-376-2629Toll Free: 866-KERNVILLE

9-1-1

Spring 2012 www.kernrivercourier.com Kern River & Isabella Lake year-round fishing guide Kern Angler

Isabella Lake boating information

What to do when the fish are not biting

Satisfaction Guarantee: Your Satisfaction is our goal... We Guarantee! Note: L&M Lumber is not responsible for printing errors. Some merchandise may be subject to stock on hand. L&M Lumber however will make every effort to honor most out of stock items with a rain-check.

L&M LUMBER INC. 4700 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella 760-379-4631Monday through Friday 7:00 to 6:00 Saturday & Sunday 8:00 to 5:00 Ace Rental - Ace Contractor Center

Hardware

2012 Isabella LakeFishing Derby

$100 Trout SponsorYour Lumber, Masonry, Hardware, Paint, Tool & Plant Nursery Place

27 yearsserving theKern River Valley

Open 6:00am • Dinner 5:00pm till Close • Breakfast Served all Day • 7-Days a week!

11030 Kernville Road, Kernville 760-376-6131

Friday Night: All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry!Saturday Night: All-You-Can-Eat Ribs

or Spaghetti!• Daily Specials • Breakfast Served All Day

• Home Style Desserts • Seasonal Patio Dining

CherylBorthick

Voted 2010Kern County

SmallBusiness

Personof the Year

inerDheryl’sC inerDheryl’sC

Sponsored by: Kern River Paiute Council Operating under a Special Use Permit offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture & National Forest Service on a non-discriminartory basis.

Visit us or write us at www.nuuicunni.com or [email protected]

Raffle Tickets 6/$5 or $1 eaThe 28"x10" handcrafted gourd

is a Rain Stick with over1,000 pegs. A Must Have!

Raffle tickets: Available at the Isabella Fishing DerbyHeadquarters,Friday & Saturday March 30 & 31

Drawing Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

760-549-0800

2600 Highway 155French GulchCampgroundLake Isabella

RambotheRainbow

Come ondown to NUUICUNNINative AmericanCultural Center

Hot Dogs &fixin'sSaturday March 31

Farmers Market 9to2

Proud sponsor ofthe 4th largest fish

The coffee isalways on

LongestTroutDon’t forget about thelongest trout contest.Four fishing derbyanglers have a chanceto win some money.You must be a regis-tered entrant to partic-ipate, the trout can betagged or untagged.First place is $1,000,second $500, third$250 and fourth placeis $200.

Valley camping information

Camping isplentiful allaround the

lake.

MichaelBatelaan/Ker

n Angler

Boating Regulations■ Speed Limit is 5 mph (no wake) within 200feet of shore, within 100 feet of swimmers(other than waterskiers), near docks, marinasor within South Fork Wildlife Area.■ Alcohol or drug use is illegal while operatinga boat and is a felony if such use causesdeath or serious injury. Conviction may bringa $1,000 fine and six months in jail.■ Boat operators must be at least 16 yearsold. Each person aboard must have US CoastGuard approved Personal Flotation Device;water skiers and personal watercraft ridersmust wear PFDs at all times.■ A tow boat must qualify to hold at least 3people, including an observer at least 12

years old, capable of rescuing an injuredwaterskier. The observer must raise a red flagwhenever a line is out or a skier is preparing toski or a skier is down.■ The Right-of-Way rules apply to everyoneon the water, including windsurfers. As withdriving a car, passing is on the right, yielding ata crossing gives the go-ahead to the vessel onthe right and overtaking another vesselrequires a wide berth. Anchored and sailingvessels usually have the right-of-way.■ Waterskiers, personal watercraft riders andwindsurfers often seek the calmer waters nearthe Auxiliary Dam. Theymay reach speedsfrom 35-70 mph, posing a hazard to eachother as well as to boaters. It is best to simplyavoid congestion.

Kern Angler

If you brought your boat toIsabella Lake, you’ll need a permit forit.

Boat permits must be purchased,according to the Kern County Parksand Recreation Department, whichlicenses boats on the lake and patrolsthe surface of the lake with a BoatPatrol vessel.

Also, regulations must be strictlyfollowed. Citations may be issued tothose violating boating regulations.

Permits are available at any marinaand at several convenience stores inthe area including Crossroads Shell in

Lake Isabella, James Sierra GatewayMarkets in Southlake and Kernville.

Unmarked underwater hazards,such as submerged fencing (particu-larly near the South Fork area), treesnags, rock outcroppings, sand spitsand islands appear and disappearwith Isabella's ever-changing waterlevel.

Be aware that Isabella Lake hassudden winds that come up that cangust to 60 mph. When in doubt, getoff the lake!

Keep in mind that the law limitsboating to the daytime - one hourbefore sunrise to one hour after sun-set.

Kern Angler

Campgrounds in the valley and theshoreline around Isabella Lake are con-trolled by the U.S. Forest Service, withtwo offices in the valley.

As of spring 2010, camping fees arein effect in most campgrounds. Checkwith the Forest Service offices fordetails.

Also, as a reminder, camping in onespot is limited to 14 days out of a 30-dayperiod.

For more camping information, visitthe U.S. Forest Service’s offices in LakeIsabella or Kernville.

The telephone numbers for the U.S.Forest Service’s offices in Kernville andLake Isabella are (760) 376-3781 and(760) 379-5646.

Kern Angler

If the fish just aren’t biting, here’ssome things to try. Sometimes the slug-gish have to be coerced. ■ Change your bait. The only way tocatch a fish is to use the right bait. If allyour neighbors are using salmon eggs,use stinkbait. It’s like an advertisingsales campaign. When responses startsto flounder, take a look at your offer. Areyou giving your prospect an incentive tobite? Or are you simply saying, “Here ismy product or service. Let me know ifyou want it.”■ Change your tackle. Inexperienc-edfishermen often use hooks and line thatare too heavy. Try a lighter approach.■ Go where the fish are. Fishermen goback to the same spot again and againbecause they have success there. Ask

the marina or bait shop owners wherethere’s a good spot. There are lots ofbait shops in the area and they’re allwilling to help you find the right spot.■ Cast your line in new waters. Whenyour fishing spot goes dry, it’s time tomove to a different spot. Cautious test-ing can reveal a hot spot. If it doesn’tpan out, try yet another one. ■ Fish when the fish are hungry.Timing is everything. The most success-ful fishermen cast their lines at the crackof dawn when the fish are hungry andmore apt to bite. Resist the urge to havethat extra cup of coffee and get outthere. ■ Be patient – and persistent. A suc-cessful fisherman may cast his line andreel it in a dozen times before a fish willbite. It’s patience and persistence thatbrings in a limit at the end of the day.

Photo courtesy KRV Chamber of Commerce


Easy Registration available at www.IsabellaFishingDerby.com

March 23rd thru 25th 2013

For more information call:760-379-5236 or 866-578-4386

2013Isabella Lake

Fishing Derby

2013Isabella Lake

Fishing Derby

Kern River ValleyChamber of Commerce presents

In person Pre-Registration at theKern River Valley Chamber of Commerce6404 Lake Isabella Blvd. #B Lake Isabella

$250,000Tagged trout with values up to

$10,000 & $20,000 & prizes totaling over

$250,000

Kern Angler 2012

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