Tulare Lake Canal is a Canal located in Kings County, CA. Starting in the Tulare Lake Canal flows 15.3 miles. The Tulare Lake Canal has an elevation of 194 feet. Find maps, fishing guides and recreation info at Guidesly.

All About Tulare Lake Canal, CA

The Tulare Lake Canal is what remains of the now dry Tulare lake. Located in San Joaquin Valley, the Tulare Lake was once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and was the 2nd largest lake in the United States.  The lake was named after the tule rush, a plant species that lined up the marshes along its shores.

Until the early 1900s, the lake would fill up from melted ice flowing from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Come spring the lake could measure up larger than even Lake Tahoe. Now the lake is completely dry, save for when it floods in the area or in bouts of unusually large rain and snowfall.

The lake was primarily used by the Tachi tribe of the Yokuts, who built reed boats in order to fish. American settlers moving west gradually changed the ecosystem when they realized the effectiveness of the Tulare lake for use in irrigation. Over time the settlers built multiple dams and diverted rivers into canals. During a three-month period in the late 19th century, the Tulare fishing industry shipped over 70, 000 lbs of fish, making the water body an important part of the local economy

Today the lake is now composed of a series of canals used to help irrigate the farms in the region. However, despite the downsizing of the once great lake, a variety of fish still remain flowing down from the neighboring connected lakes.

All About Fishing in Tulare Lake Canal, CA

Despite how Tulare Lake ended up through years of agriculture, the marine wildlife of the lake is seen through its extensive canal system which is now a hotspot for recreational fishing. A multitude of fish species can be found when sailing through the canals The most popular fish species caught in the area are the white, channel, and blue catfish, as well as the largemouth bass. When fishing for catfish, it’s recommended to use bait that appeals to their strong senses. That means using stink bait in order to seduce them with the smell or using freshly cut-up live bait. Largemouth bass can be caught using artificial bait such as jigs, crank baits, and jerk baits.

Another fish that can be found in the Tulare Canals is the redear sunfish. Live baits such as nightcrawler worms and even leeches are also popular when fishing them. As the sunfish is a bottom-feeding species, try to let your sinkers go down about 5-10 seconds after casting them. After letting them sink, reel in the line about an inch or two and then wait for the fish to take your bait.

In general most of the fish found in the area can provide quite a challenge. It never hurts to bring heavy gear as well as gloves that have a lot of friction. The largemouth bass and blue catfish specifically won’t spook easily but will put up a good fight. The channel catfish have very sharp fins and are slippery so be careful when handling them. When fishing in the area a good 7-8 ft. rod with a weight range of about 5 or 6 will do the trick.

Fishing Seasonality

When fishing for redear and bass, it is best to visit the area around April to July in the Summer. The redear breeds and spawns in the warmer temperatures, which in turn is the best time to catch them. The different types of catfish found in the area can be caught all year long. 

Fishing Seasonality

When fishing for redear and bass, it is best to visit the area around April to July in the Summer. The redear breeds and spawns in the warmer temperatures, which in turn is the best time to catch them. The different types of catfish found in the area can be caught all year long. 

All About Fishing in Tulare Lake Canal, CA

Despite how Tulare Lake ended up through years of agriculture, the marine wildlife of the lake is seen through its extensive canal system which is now a hotspot for recreational fishing. A multitude of fish species can be found when sailing through the canals The most popular fish species caught in the area are the white, channel, and blue catfish, as well as the largemouth bass. When fishing for catfish, it’s recommended to use bait that appeals to their strong senses. That means using stink bait in order to seduce them with the smell or using freshly cut-up live bait. Largemouth bass can be caught using artificial bait such as jigs, crank baits, and jerk baits.

Another fish that can be found in the Tulare Canals is the redear sunfish. Live baits such as nightcrawler worms and even leeches are also popular when fishing them. As the sunfish is a bottom-feeding species, try to let your sinkers go down about 5-10 seconds after casting them. After letting them sink, reel in the line about an inch or two and then wait for the fish to take your bait.

In general most of the fish found in the area can provide quite a challenge. It never hurts to bring heavy gear as well as gloves that have a lot of friction. The largemouth bass and blue catfish specifically won’t spook easily but will put up a good fight. The channel catfish have very sharp fins and are slippery so be careful when handling them. When fishing in the area a good 7-8 ft. rod with a weight range of about 5 or 6 will do the trick.