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• Are Two-Stroke Engines allowed on Lake Isabella? 

  • Yes. Please go here: https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28770#A1​

• What size will the tagged trout be?

  • We understand anglers want to set-up their reels with an appropriate weight line, but we can only give a range of 1 to 4 pounds for the trout that will be planted.​

• What color will the tags be this year?

  • That's a secret!

• When will the tagged trout be planted? 

  • A day or two before the derby.

• Where are the tagged trout planted i,e., are they planted in one location or throughout the lake?

  • That too is on a "need to know" basis.  

• Will albino trout (AKA Lightning Trout) be included this year? 

  • No. Not allowed at Lake Isabella by CDFW

• Does the Isabella Fishing Derby feature tagged bass, catfish, or other species besides trout? 

  • NO.  The Isabella Fishing Derby is a TROUT derby.  Evidently some search engines that feature an Artificial Intelligence summary at the top of the search results describe the Lake Isabella Derby as "a place to catch trout, bass, and catfish."  The AI is incorrect! - the Lake Isabella Fishing Derby is a TROUT derby.

•  Why is the Derby always on a full moon? 

  • The Derby is normally the week before Easter.  Moon phases are not taken into consideration. ​In fact, the 2026 derby is taking place on a New Moon  (zero % illumination!)

• Where can I get a copy of the fishing regulations?

  • A downloadable PDF is available at this link.  CDFW no longer distributes printed copies.

• Where can I buy a fishing license?

  • Several of our chamber members sell Fishing licenses (and some tackle and bait too!,) including Sierra Gateway Market in Kernville, Mt. Mesa Shell located across the street from derby HQ, and Crossroads Shell (a platinum level derby sponsor) in Lake Isabella.  Or you can use the search tool provided by CDFW at this link.  And of course licenses can be purchased online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing

• Can I camp near the water?

  • Shoreline areas around the lake fall into one of the following categories: Fee Based Campgrounds, Reservations Necessary (example, Camp 9 campground or Paradise Cove campground; reservations for those campgrounds are made on recreation.gov; Fee-Based Campgrounds on a First Come, First Served Basis (example, Auxiliary Dam campground; no reservations.  Typically fills up days or even a week ahead of the Derby:)  No-Fee Dispersed Camping Areas (these are wide open areas with no hosts, no designated campsites, no fire rings or picnic tables, but overnight camping is allowed and it's free. There are two dispersed camping areas along the shores of Lake Isabella, and both on the east side of the lake - Stein Cove and Hanning Flat;) Day Use Only Sites (If the area is not a fee-based campground or dispersed camping area, unless told otherwise those areas should be considered Day Use Only.  Some areas around the lake are private property.   

  • BS Beach, AKA Engineer's point is not a campground or dispersed camping area and should be considered Day Use Only.  Thus fishing is allowed, but anglers must leave the area at or before dusk.

• What happened to Bucky? 

  • Bucky, the derby's beloved mascot, was retired several years ago having gotten older and less energetic than he once was.  Moreover, it was discovered that he wasn't a trout.

• How do we know the tagged trout were actually put in?

  • ​The Derby pays a trout farm to tag and deliver trout, both tagged and un-tagged.  The Derby is provided a manifest of what was delivered then distributes all the fish; so locally the derby does not know or control which tagged trout went where.  That's important because it helps ensure fairness i.e., the Derby can't exclude high dollar tags nor place certain tag numbers in known places around the lake - they all go in together.

• Which campgrounds will be open, how much do they cost, and when can I make reservations?

  • That is currently under negotiation.

• Can we buy shirts, hats, and hoodies in advance and what will the costs be?​

  • Hats, Hoodies, and drawing tickets, can be purchased in advance of the derby at the chamber offices in Lake Isabella during regular business hours (M-F, 10am to 3pm) 

  • T-Shirts will only be available derby HQ, no pre-sale. 

  • The prices are the same as last year: T-Shirts $20, Hats $28, Brass Hook for Hat $3, Hoodies $40, and Drawing Tickets 1 for $10 or 6 for $50 (drawing is at the end of the derby.  Need not be present to win)

• ​What are the items that will be raffled or drawn at the derby?

  • Please see second page of the application.  They include a kayak, a shotgun, and cash prize.

• Will "trophy sized" trout be planted in the Lake for the derby?

  • ​