Lake Isabella is a large reservoir in Southern California that shares some similarities with other notable lakes in the region. Like San Luis Reservoir and Mono Lake, it is known for its sizeable scale and sudden, fierce wind conditions that can make it challenging for novice paddlers, unless they stick to the more sheltered northern arm.

Despite the wind, Lake Isabella is renowned as one of the best crappie lakes in California, as well as a top bass fishing destination that commonly produces 5-pound largemouth. It also supports healthy populations of rainbow trout, bluegill, and channel catfish, with the Department of Fish and Game stocking 66,000 trout in the 10-12 inch range each year.

The lake can provide excellent trout kayak fishing, especially in the spring and late fall when the fish are more active. However, fishing in the summer months can be more difficult as the warming water causes the trout to retreat to deeper depths.

Unfortunately, Lake Isabella has been impacted by a combination of agricultural water demands and the prolonged drought, leaving it with persistently low water levels in recent years.

Map of Lake Isabella