Boating Info:

    Launching is free at several ramps on the North shore. You must, however, purchase a boat permit available at most marinas and launch ramps. Some marinas also feature over-night slips. Boat rentals are available at Holloway's Marina and Pleasure Point Marina. Skiing and personal watercraft are allowed.

Fishing Info:

     There are Trout, Bass, Catfish, Carp and Crappie in the lake. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout regularly by the DFG and County hatcheries. The Big Bear Fishing Assoc. also stocks Trophy Sized Trout for contests and special events. Fishing is generally best during the early mornings or late evenings or during the early spring and fall / winter months when the water is too cold for pleasure boaters and skiers. There is No ice fishing allowed on the lake.

Lake Records:

• Rainbow Trout: 14-pounds, 11-ounces
• Catfish: 28-pounds
• Read and Post Big Bear Lake Fishing Reports Here

Comments and Tips:

Big Bear Lake

Posted by steve on July 02, 2000 at 16:12:40:

Big Bear Lake is not a "pay-to-fish" lake, it's "FREE"! It's a huge lake,(six miles in length), in a beautiful mountain/forest setting and it's sunny and mild every day. Serrano Camp Ground, (on the lake), has RV hookups and tent-camp sites with firerings, flush-toilets and hot showers. A word for those seeking trout; first, let me say, Big Bear Lake is a very heavily stocked trout-lake, with several thousand rainbow trout added every week, for shore fishing along the Northshore, from Gray's Landing and west to the Dam are the ideal spots. There is a lot of weed growth along the shoreline, but the weed cutters are working fulltime, so use a bigger weight and put it out there. The prefered method would be to take out a boat and still-fish near the bouy-line at the Dam, using a slip-bobber, or, drift fish or slow-troll deep water, no further east than the telescope. East of the Telescope is considered shallow water, less than 35 feet deep and the trout want to be in or accessable to deep water. For Bass fishing, most any weedy area anywhere along the northshore. Along the southshore; due to the fact that most of the south shoreline is private property, (condos,luxury homes,etc.), you will need a boat to hit the coves and better bass spots along most of the southshore, but try the Eagle Point area and Boulder Bay. Big Channel Cats, (from 5 to 20+ pounds), exist, but are elusive. You're more likely to get bites from smaller Bullheads, (yellow/gold or yellow/green in color), in the under five pound range. Bluegill, Sunfish and Crappie are in the shallows. And, of course, there are tons of big carp everywhere.
Good Fishing!

    If you know something about this area or have some photos that you'd like to share, please E-mail and I'll post it here!