Lake Ming
- Size
- 104 acres
- Boat permit
- Kern County, $60/year + CA sticker
- Sailboats only
- 2nd full weekend; Tue/Thu after 1:30 p.m.
- Not allowed
- Jet skis, inflatables, swimming
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Restrooms
About this lake
Lake Ming is a 104-acre Kern County lake in Kern River County Park, about 10 miles northeast of Bakersfield off the Alfred Harrell Highway.
On the water
Every boat needs a Kern County boat permit ($60 a year) and a California sticker, and must launch at the designated ramps. Only sailboats are allowed on the second full weekend of each month and on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1:30 p.m.; motorboats can use the lake at other times. Jet skis and inflatables aren't allowed. Waterskiing is confined to designated areas, runs counterclockwise, and needs an observer 12 or older with an orange flag. Hot boats can test and tune only on Thursdays from 8 to 11 a.m. with a permit. The lake closes about 35 days a year for organized boating events.
Fishing and swimming
Fishing is allowed year-round from the shore only. Swimming is prohibited, and water skiers can get an itchy rash from parasites in the untreated water.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Take the Alfred Harrell Highway northeast from Bakersfield to the Lake Ming Road exit (13375 Lake Ming Road).
Boat permit
Buy a Kern County boat permit before launching; permits go on sale each November. Boats also need a current California Mussel Fee Sticker.
- Event closures
- About 35 days a year
- Parks office
- 661-868-7000
What's here
Launch
Boat launching ramps
Sailing
Sailboat-only days each week and month
Fishing
Shore fishing year-round
Restrooms
Restrooms and drinking fountains
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- All boats need a Kern County boat permit ($60, January 1 to December 31) and a California sticker; launch only at designated sites; sailboats only on the 2nd full weekend each month and Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1:30 p.m.; no jet skis or inflatableskerncounty.com ↗
- Waterskiing in designated areas only, counterclockwise, with an observer 12 or older; tow ropes 100 feet maximumkerncounty.com ↗
- Fishing only from the shoreline; swimming prohibitedkerncounty.com ↗
- Hot boat testing and tuning only on Thursdays 8 to 11 a.m., with a permit from the Parks officekerncounty.com ↗
- Registered boats used in fresh water must display a current Mussel Fee Sticker on the hull next to the registration stickerdbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
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