In order to camp in the Golden Trout Wilderness(GTW) Area we need permits for that as well as camp fires if we are going to do that. Currently there is a wildfire that is at the north end of the GTW, but it should be resolved by next month. There is also a trail that is just north of Kernville that has a 6 mile trail, and you can park near the bridge and camp anywhere along the river. It tends to be a more populated spot than the GTW. I am sending a check to a ranger station tomorrow so I can get them to send me a trail, topo, and road map of the GTW area.
BEST LOCAL FLY FISHING SPOTS
In the high country above Johnsondale Bridge:
Hole in the Ground – 10 miles upstream from Forks of the Kern
Kern Lakes – 5 miles above Hole in Ground
Forks of the Kern
The catch: native Kern River rainbow trout and brown trout
North Fork of the Kern above Kernville:
Dry Meadow Creek special regulation section
Salmon Creek
Chico Flat
The catch: native rainbows and hybrid stocked trout
Lower Kern below Isabella Dam:
Black Gulch (particularly good for small mouth bass)
Hobo Campground (rainbow trout, small and large mouth bass, crappie)
Democrat Campground (rainbow trout, small and large mouth bass, crappie)
Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of streams or lakes... The Golden Trout Wilderness is located in both the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests and encompasses 475 square miles of pristine lakes, jagged peaks, and lush green meadows. Visitor permits (required only for the Golden Trout Wilderness) are available free from ranger stations near wilderness entry points.
Anglers will find a wide variety of fishing opportunities ranging from large rivers, to small creeks, to Lake Isabella. In all, the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument has more than 700 miles of fishable streams containing trout.
Portions of the Kings, Tule, and Kern Rivers flow through deep canyons as they cross the Forest, but don't overlook our numerous smaller creeks that also provide fishing opportunities. The Forest and Monument provide cold water angling for rainbow trout, brown trout, and eastern brook trout. The spectacular golden trout also reside in streams on the Kern Plateau.
Lake Isabella is a 17 square mile reservoir that provides both warm and cold water fisheries for a multitude of fish species. The reservoir is a popular destination for anglers seeking largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, sunfish, catfish, rainbow trout, and has even been stocked with Chinook salmon.
Fishing - North Fork Kern River (above Johnsondale bridge)
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Species Present: This part of the North Fork Kern River has established populations of introduced rainbow trout and brown trout. Native Kern River rainbow trout can still be found in the upper part of the North Fork of the Kern River.
The North Fork of the Kern River above the Johnsondale Bridge flows through a narrow river valley that has steep, rocky hillsides. Willow and cottonwood dominate the streamside vegetation. The river has many large boulders, cold water, and swift currents. The hazardous rapids and powerful currents make this river dangerous during normal flow, so swimming in the river and floating on water toys and inner tubes can have tragic results. Children should always be closely supervised near the river to keep them safe. The lower parts of this area can become hot in the summer (100º F.), but it cools down quickly at night.
Fishing Season and Regulations: Last Saturday in April through November 15. This area of the North Fork Kern River has special fishing regulations that should be reviewed before fishing this part of the river. View the California Department of Fish and Game website.
From Johnsondale Bridge upstream to the point where Forest Service Trail 33E30 heads east to join the Rincon Trail, the minimum size limit is 14 inches total length with daily bag and possession limit of two fish. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. For the remainder of the year, this segment is designated as catch and release (0 fish kept) using only artificial lures with barbless hooks.
--From Forest Service Trail 33E30 upstream to the mouth of Tyndall Creek, the minimum size limit is 10 inches total length with daily bag and possession limit of two fish. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. For the remainder of the year, this segment is designated as catch and release (0 fish kept) using only artificial lures with barbless hooks.
Location and Access: Access to the North Fork Kern River above the Johnsondale Bridge is from the Kern River Trail (33E30), Trail 33E20, Trail 33E23, and Trail 33E29.
Campgrounds: The only developed campground in the area is Limestone
Fishing - North Fork Kern River (below Johnsondale bridge)
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Species Present: This part of the North Fork Kern River is stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game with introduced rainbow trout year-round and there are also self-sustaining populations of this fish species present. The river just above Isabella also has an established population of introduced smallmouth bass.
-The North Fork of the Kern River below the Johnsondale Bridge flows through a narrow river valley that has steep. The North Fork Kern River has many large boulders, cold water, and swift currents. The hazardous rapids and powerful currents make this river dangerous during normal flow, so swimming in the river and floating on water toys and inner tubes can have tragic results. Children should always be closely supervised near the river to keep them safe. This area can become hot in the summer (100º F.), but it cools down quickly at night.
Fishing Season and Regulations: This segment of the Kern River between Lake Isabella and the Johnsondale Bridge is open year around. The daily bag limit is 5 fish, with a possession limit of 10. Check regulations at the California Department of Fish and Game website.
Location and Access: Access to the river area and campgrounds is from Mountain Highway 99 above Kernville. There are several developed campgrounds along this part of the North Fork Kern River.
Campgrounds: Camp 3, Fairview, Goldledge, Headquarters, Hospital Flat, and Limestone.
Fishing - South Fork Kern River
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Species Present: In the Golden Trout Wilderness, the native California golden trout has been reestablished. Below this wilderness area, this river has established introduced rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout populations. Brown trout are stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game at Kennedy Meadows area during the summer. Hybrid rainbow-golden trout are also found in this part of the river.
-The South Fork Kern River flows through both the South Sierra and Domeland wilderness areas on the Sequoia National Forest. The headwaters to the South Fork Kern River are in the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Inyo National Forest. The northern part of the South Fork Kern River in the South Sierra Wilderness flows through fairly open areas dominated by conifer trees, sage flats, and wet meadows. Downstream of this part of the river, the South Fork Kern River flows through a deep river gorge through most of this wilderness.
Fishing Season and Regulations: Within the Golden Trout Wilderness, the season is open between the last Saturday in April and November 15 using only artificial lures with barbless hooks. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish. Check fishing regulations at the California Department of Fish and Game website.
**Outside of the boundaries of the Golden Trout Wilderness, the season is open between the last Saturday in April and November 15, with a daily bag limit of 5 fish per day and a possession limit of 10 fish.
Location and Access: The South Fork Kern River can be accessed by the Pacific Crest Trail (2000), Wildrose Trail (36E01), and Haiwee Trail (37E07) in the South Sierra Wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail (2000), Domeland Trail (35E10), and Rockhouse Trail (35E16) give access to the South Fork Kern River in the Domeland Wilderness. All of these trails have areas of steep grades and can be hot, difficult hikes in the summer. The South Fork Kern River can also be accessed from the Kennedy Meadows Campground.
Campground: Kennedy Meadows is the only developed campground along the South Fork Kern River and is found between the Southern Sierra Wilderness and the Domeland Wilderness.
Fishing - Little Kern River
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Species Present: Little Kern golden trout
**The Little Kern golden trout is native only to the Little Kern River basin. This species has been negatively affected by introduction of non-native trout within its range. Rainbow trout and eastern brook trout were introduced in the Little Kern River basin during the 1930s-40s. By 1977 the Little Kern golden trout was reduced to five isolated populations and occupied about 10% of its historic habitat within the basin. Little Kern golden trout was listed as threatened under the endangered species due to cross breeding with rainbow trout and competition with eastern brook trout.
Fishing Season and Regulations: The Little Kern River drainage within the Golden Trout Wilderness is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April to November 15. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks can be used. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 trout. The Sequoia National Park portion of Soda Springs Creek is closed to all fishing. Check fishing regulations at the California Department of Fish and Game website.
Location and Access: The Little Kern River is located within the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Sequoia National Forest. Access is the river is primarily via trail. Trails can be accessed from State Highway 190 near Quaking Aspen via Forest Service Road 21S50, which leads to Summit, Clicks, and Lewis Camp trailheads; Lloyd Meadow Road (Forest Service Road 22S82), which leads to Jerkey and Forks of the Kern trailheads; or Balch Park Road to Mountain Home State Forest (Shake Camp trailhead). Visitors to the Golden Trout Wilderness must obtain a wilderness permit and campfire permit if they plan to stay overnight.
Recovery Efforts: The California Department of Fish and Game, Sequoia National Forest and Monument, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to restore pure populations of Little Kern golden trout through its native range. Since 1975, 90 miles of stream and 8 lakes have had their non-native trout removed. Eight artificial barriers to upstream trout migration thirty-two erosion control structures have been constructed to facilitate the recovery effort.
What you can do to help: Persons visiting the Little Kern River are urged to follow the Leave No Trace Wilderness ethic. Minimize impacts by camping at least 100 feet from streams, lake, and trails. Pack out all materials that you pack in. Body waste is to be buried at least 6 inches deep and 100 feet from river and streams. Keep fires small and leave them DEAD OUT by pouring water on it, and then stirring. Avoid overgrazing of packstock in meadows, excessive trampling and polluting waterways. Little Kern golden trout have been tremendously impacted by introduction of other trout species. Never transport trout in the Golden Trout Wilderness and immediately report any evidence of illegal transporting of fish to the California Department of Fish and Game or the Sequoia National Forest and Monument.
Fishing - Rattlesnake Creek
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Species Present: Rattlesnake creek has self-sustaining populations of rainbow trout and rainbow-golden trout hybrids.
Fishing Season and Regulations: Rattlesnake Creek is located within California Department of Fish and Game’s Sierra District. Fishing within this portion of the Sierra district is open to fishing between the last Saturday in April through November 15. The daily bag limit is 5 fish per day and the possession limit is 10. Check fishing regulations at the California Department of Fish and Game website.
Location and Access: Rattlesnake Creek is a tributary to the North Fork of the Kern River, above the confluence with the Little Kern River. Access to is from the Rattlesnake Trail (33E32). This trail is steep and rocky making access difficult, especially in the summer when temperatures reach over 100º Fahrenheit in the lower parts. Access to the stream for fishing is also difficult because of the thick riparian vegetation along the stream.
Campground: There are no developed campgrounds in the Rattlesnake Creek area.
Fishing - Salmon Creek
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Species Present: California golden trout were introduced into Salmon Creek in the late 1800s and are self-sustaining. Brown trout were also introduced sometime in the late 1900s and have become established in this stream.
**Salmon Creek is a tributary to the North Fork of the Kern River, with a confluence between Kernville and the Johnsondale Bridge. Most of the upper part of Salmon Creek flows through wet mountain meadows at Big Meadow and Horse Meadow. The vegetation in the area is dominated by conifer forest with wet meadows. The lower part of Salmon Creek flows through a narrow river valley dominated by thick areas of dogwood along the stream. Conifers and high montane chaparral dominate the upper slopes in this area.
Fishing Season and Regulations: Salmon Creek is located within California Department of Fish and Game’s Sierra District. Fishing within this portion of the Sierra district is open to fishing between the last Saturday in April through November 15. The daily bag limit is 5 fish per day and the possession limit is 10. Check fishing regulations at the California Department of Fish and Game website.
Location and Access: Access to this part of Salmon Creek is from Forest Service Road 22S15, to the Salmon Creek Trail (33E36). Stream access in this area is very limited because of the thick dogwood vegetation along the stream.
Campground: The only developed campground in the area is Horse Meadow Campground.
