2,000+
Residents
2,690 ft
Residents
300+
Days of Sunshine
5 miles+
From Lake Isabella
History of Bodfish
Named after George Homer Bodfish, an early settler in the region, Bodfish and the surrounding area is home to about 22,000 people in the greater Kern River Valley community including Bodfish, the Kern River, Lake Isabella, and Kernville.
The area was known for mining, ranching, and its proximity to the Kern River. Today, it carries a small-town charm that still reflects the pioneering spirit of its founders.
Bodfish serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation, with world-class whitewater rafting, fishing, and camping opportunities. The community maintains its character while welcoming visitors who come to experience the valley's natural wonders.
The Kern River
On May 1, 1776, Padre Garces, a Spaniard from Aragon, is said to be the first European known to have visited the Kern River. Accompanied by two Mojave Indian guides, he arrived at a Yokuts village where he saw "a great river which made much noise and whose waters (were) crystalline, bountiful, and palatable."
The Kern is California's third-longest river and flows approximately 164 miles from the high plateau west of Mount Whitney to Lake Buena Vista southwest of Bakersfield. The upper Kern (the river flowing into Lake Isabella) is reported to be one of California's best trout streams. The lower Kern (the river flowing out of Lake Isabella) is the steepest river west of the Mississippi.
Narrow and relatively shallow, the Kern descends 75 feet in the course of a mile in some stretches. Professional rafters consider a 60-foot-per-mile drop to be steep. The river is known as the most dangerous river in California and provides some of the finest raft-able white water in North America.
Hydroelectric power, a small dam-and-turbine generator, was completed on the river in 1890. There are now six hydroelectric plants on the Kern.
Lake Isabella
Construction on this man-made reservoir began in March, 1948, and was completed in 1954 to provide Bakersfield with water. Today, the Lake is said to normally contain around 11,000 acres of surface water surrounded by 38.6 miles of shoreline.
Lake Isabella is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports, drawing visitors from across Southern California to enjoy its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.
Local Facts & Highlights
Location
Nestled in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of Kern County, California
Population
A close-knit community of approximately 2,000 residents
Established
Rich history dating back to the early mining days of California
Our Community Mission
Bodfish.org exists to strengthen the bonds within our community by providing a central hub for news, events, and local business connections. We believe that by staying connected and supporting one another, we can preserve the unique character of Kern Valley for generations to come.