Ming Lake Fish Report for 9-18-2026
Bass fishing improved this week with the cooler weather
Ming Lake - Bakersfield, CA (Kern County)

by Chad Burton and Chris Borden
9-18-2026
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Bass fishing improved this week with the cooler weather, with the best action coming early and late in the day. Anglers are finding success on Giro flukes, small creature baits, and Ned rigs worked around the grass with slightly heavier heads. Green pumpkin worms in the 4- to 5-inch range and Strike King Rage Bugs have also been producing consistently. Bluegill fishing remains excellent during the cooler parts of the day on wax worms, mealworms, and red worms. Crappie activity has also started to improve, particularly later in the day, with 2-inch Keitechs and live shiners drawing plenty of bites. Carp are showing more often and taking dough baits, while catfish continue to provide steady action on dip baits and cut bait.
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More Reports
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, September 18th
California Aqueduct: Anglers reported another solid week of fishing in the southern aqueduct
Castaic Lake: Fishing was excellent last week
Pyramid Lake, CA: The bite picked up again for both bass and striped bass
Lake Isabella: Crappie fishing remains excellent
Kern River: Kern River Report
Lake Kaweah: Kaweah Lake fell several feet to 12 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was fair
Lake Success: Lake Success dropped slightly to 17 percent of its storage capacity
River Walk Lakes: Bass fishing at both lakes has been very good
Cope's Tackle and Rod Shop Reports
for Friday, September 11th
California Aqueduct: Fishing was good in the aqueduct
Castaic Lake: Water clarity was good to excellent
Pyramid Lake, CA: The bite at Pyramid Lake picked up last week
Lake Isabella: Bass fishing has been very good
Kern River: Anglers are finding fish in the deeper pools, slower eddies, and around river bends
Lake Kaweah: The lake dropped to 12 percent of capacity, and fishing was decent last week
Lake Success: The lake held near 18 percent of capacity, and fishing was fair last week
River Walk Lakes: The cooler weather earlier this week brought more anglers out to the lakes
Ming Lake: The bass bite has slowed, and anglers are having to work a little harder to connect
Buena Vista Lakes: With much of the summer boat traffic diminished, anglers once again reclaimed the lake
Hart Park Lake: Fishing was fair at Hart Park, with the exception of a few standout fish
Lake Nacimiento: Naci fell to 39 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was good
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