Kern River
Drops south out of the high Sierra through deep canyons to Kernville and Lake Isabella, then tumbles southwest through a steep canyon to Bakersfield, where canals draw off most of its water in the San Joaquin Valley.
Weather at the Kern River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | About 164 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | Kings-Kern Divide, Sequoia National Park, near Mount Whitney |
| Mouth | Buena Vista Lake Bed, San Joaquin Valley (rarely reached) |
| State | California |
Isabella Dam forms Lake Isabella.
Boat ramps and launches
Orange dots on the map. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps. Public ramps and launches along the Kern River in California, from OpenStreetMap. The list may be incomplete, so check the state wildlife agency for current access.
- Boat ramp (35.651, -118.460) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.696, -118.436) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.645, -118.475) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.481, -118.748) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap Nearest bait shop: Turner's Outdoorsman, 19.1 mi
- Boat ramp (35.582, -118.527) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.576, -118.532) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.656, -118.478) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
- Boat ramp (35.660, -118.438) Unnamed in OpenStreetMap
Closest bait shops
Blue squares on the map. Tap a name to open the shop's website, or its location in Google Maps if it has none listed. Bait and tackle shops closest to the river's ramps, from OpenStreetMap. Call ahead for hours and live bait.
- Turner's Outdoorsman 2523 Mohawk Street +1-661-323-4512
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- California: California Department of Fish and Wildlife ↗
Facts from Kern River (Wikipedia) ↗ · Boat ramps and bait shops: OpenStreetMap contributors · River course: U.S. Geological Survey