Lake Isabella

CA

Kern River Valley reservoir, wind-friendly for sailing and windsurfing.

35.650°N 118.470°W2,627 ft
BoatingCampingFishingPaddlingRV
Storage25%of capacity · California Data Exchange Center
Lake level2,555.1ftCalifornia Data Exchange Center · down · history
Today80°FSlight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms · low 54°F
Wind15 mphESE · NWS
⚠
Algae bloom caution. Advisory posted near Keysville Beach, Kern River on Aug 27, 2026. Keep kids and dogs out of discolored or scummy water. Source: California Water Boards bloom reports.

Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Lake IsabellaPartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on Lake IsabellaPontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Lake IsabellaLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Lake IsabellaBoatsetter · partner link→
Guides for Lake IsabellaBoat rentals →Camping →Fishing →Water level →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Elevation
2,627 ft
Boat ramps
1
Campgrounds
3
Fish species
1

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Boat ramp

· 0.6 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Lake Isabella

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

Auxiliary Dam Campground

fee: yes
yes · 0.6 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

French Gulch Campground

fee: yes
yes · 0.8 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Pioneer Point Campground

fee: yes
yes · 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Lake Isabella

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

What's biting

Fishing by month

Native lives here naturallyWild introduced, reproduces on its ownStocked planted by the state
SpeciesOriginJFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow troutLast stocked Apr 26, 2026 Stocked

Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.

Guided trips

Book a fishing charter

Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.

Affiliate links
Recent stocking
  • TroutApr 26, 2026
  • TroutMar 15, 2026
  • TroutFeb 22, 2026
  • TroutJan 25, 2026
  • TroutNov 9, 2025
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Gear for these fish

Partner links

Rainbow trout

Fly rods, reels and fliesTrident Fly Fishing→Fiberglass fly rods and kitsEpic Fly Rods→Spoons, spinners and minnow luresRapala→

For every angler

Landing nets and fly boxesEGO Fishing→Sun-protective fishing shirtsHook & Tackle→Fishing shirts, shorts and vestsColumbia→

Fishing rules · California

Limits & regulations

● Under review
Limits under reviewWe're confirming the current limits for this water. Until then, check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov) before you fish.
⚑ Check before you go.We update these weekly, but rules can change at any time. For the official rules, see the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov).

Off the water

Nearby trails

TrailheadsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

  • Shell
    1.7 mi
  • Chevron
    4.1 mi
  • Texaco
    4.1 mi
  • Mobil 24/7
    8.0 mi

Groceries and ice

  • Grocery OutletIce 6415 Lake Isabella Boulevard · Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
    1.5 mi
  • VonsIce 5610 Lake Isabella Boulevard, Lake Isabella · Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
    2.2 miCall
  • Shell
    2.3 mi
  • Kern Food Mart
    3.7 mi

RV dump and fresh water

  • RV dump stationDump station
    0.6 mi

Ranger stations

  • Frog Meadow Guard Station
    16.6 mi
  • Hot Springs Ranger Station
    19.1 mi

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Kern Valley HospitalEmergency 6412 Laurel Avenue, Mountain Mesa · 24/7
    3.7 miCall
  • Tule River Indian Health Center
    31.9 mi
  • Kaiser Permanente East Hills Medical Offices 3700 Mall View Road, Bakersfield
    32.3 mi
  • Crestwood Psychiatric Health Facility - BakersfieldEmergency 6700 Eucalyptus Drive, Bakersfield
    32.5 miCall

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday75°FSunnyWind 0 to 10 mph E
Sunday76°FSunnyWind 0 to 10 mph SSE

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Photos

Lake Isabella in pictures

Lake Isabella 5965.jpg
Gillfoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lake Isabella 5966.jpg
Gillfoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lake Isabella California eastern portion.JPG
w:en:David Jordan (talk | contribs) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Good to know

Lake Isabella FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Lake Isabella?

Yes. Boat rentals for Lake Isabella can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Boat ramp.

Where can I launch a boat on Lake Isabella?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Boat ramp. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Where can I camp near Lake Isabella?

Campgrounds near the water include Auxiliary Dam Campground, French Gulch Campground, Pioneer Point Campground. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.

What fish are in Lake Isabella?

Lake Isabella has Rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state.

Is Lake Isabella stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for Lake Isabella lists Trout the week of 2026-04-26. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

What is the water level of Lake Isabella today?

On 2026-10-19, Lake Isabella was at 2,555.12 feet, 25% of capacity. That's down 0.62 feet from a week earlier. Source: California Data Exchange Center, updated daily.

Is there gas near Lake Isabella?

The closest listed fuel is Shell, about 1.7 miles from the water.

Do I need a fishing license at Lake Isabella?

Yes. In California, anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Kern River7 miCastaic Lake78 mi · 90% fullLake Cachuma111 mi · 84% fullBig Bear Lake132 mi

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.