Fishing near Bakersfield, California
Kern County, population 403,455.
- 2 milesto nearest lake
- 1launches nearby
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Getting on the water from Bakersfield
Bakersfield, in Kern County, had 403,455 residents in 2020. Bakersfield Sports Show Pond is the nearest CDFW lake, roughly 2 miles southeast. Boaters can launch at Lake Ming, 11 miles from town.
Reservoirs near Bakersfield
- Bakersfield Sports Show Pond2 miles southeast, 0.1 acres
- Truxtun Lake2 miles west, 19 acres
- River Walk Lake5 miles west, 6 acres
- Hart Park Lake9 miles northeast, 18 acres
- Ming Lake11 miles northeast, 108 acres
- Lake Webb15 miles southwest, 873 acres
Lake species around Bakersfield
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Hatchery trout | 5 |
| Black bass | 3 |
| Catfish | 3 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 3 |
| Striped bass | 1 |
Streams near Bakersfield
- Poso Creek13 miles
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- Lake MingLake Ming, 11 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Bakersfield.
Stream gauges near Bakersfield
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kern R A Enos Park Foot Br Nr Bakersfield Ca | 0 cfs, -0.53 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Tackle and charters near Bakersfield
Where to stock up near Bakersfield
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #042sporting goods store, Bakersfield, under a mile
- Custom Fishing Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bakersfield, 1 mile
- Bobs Bait Bucketbait and tackle shop, Bakersfield, 2 miles
- Turner's Outdoorsman #31sporting goods store, Bakersfield, 3 miles
- Copes Tackle and Rod Shopbait and tackle shop, Bakersfield, 4 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods #0697sporting goods store, Bakersfield, 4 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #272sporting goods store, Bakersfield, 5 miles
- Cope's Tackle and Rod Shopbait and tackle shop, Bakersfield, 6 miles
License counters by Bakersfield
- Walmart Store #1574department store, 4 miles
- Walmart Store #2557department store, 4 miles
- Walmart Store #5134department store, 5 miles
- Panorama Liquorlicense agent, 5 miles
Stocked water close to Bakersfield
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Walk Lake | 5 miles | 6 | 2026-02-01 |
| Ming Lake | 11 miles | 8 | 2026-03-29 |
| Brite Valley Reservoir | 33 miles | 4 | 2026-02-01 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
Inland limits for Bakersfield anglers
The district for inland water near Bakersfield is the Valley District.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
The ground around Bakersfield
Towns ringing Bakersfield
- Delano31 miles
- Lake Isabella36 miles
- Wofford Heights40 miles
- Pine Flat42 miles
Counties holding Bakersfield
- Kern Countyseat: Bakersfield
The fish of Bakersfield
Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife from Sacramento, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0
Questions from Bakersfield anglers
How many miles to a CDFW lake from Bakersfield?
Bakersfield Sports Show Pond, 2 miles southeast.
Is a launch ramp close to Bakersfield?
The nearest named launch is Lake Ming (11 miles).
Which public pier can I fish near Bakersfield?
No public pier within 25 miles.
Does Bakersfield have a bait counter?
Big 5 Sporting Goods #042, the closest shop.
Who runs guided trips in Bakersfield?
None list Bakersfield; see the county page.
Which California county contains Bakersfield?
Kern County; see its page.
Can I fish everywhere near Bakersfield?
None within 15 miles.
Is a stream within reach of Bakersfield?
The nearest stream page is Poso Creek, 13 miles off.
How much is a day license near Bakersfield?
From age 16 a license is needed; a one-day license is $21.09 and two days $32.4.