Big Bear Lake Fishing

Big Bear Lake is Southern California's largest recreational lake and home to one of the area's most successful trout fisheries. You might also catch bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and carp. Although, you'll be catching nothing without a permit.

If you plan on taking a vessel out on the waters, first visit the Municipal Water District for a boating permit. A separate fishing permit is also required. However, there are traditionally two days a year when fishing is free.

The Fish I Caught Was Thiiis Big . . .

The lake is stocked regularly throughout the year by the California Department of Fish and Game, so fish are plentiful. To keep the lake stocked with fish, they use a "put and grow" system that plants smaller fish in the waters and lets them grow in the lake. Large fish are planted each spring by private hatcheries to attract visitors for the annual trout derbies. You are free to keep what you catch, but there are limits. There are also parts of the lake that are restricted, so be aware.

Anglers can cast from shore in two areas, near the dam and along Stansfield cutoff, and this is popular in the spring. As the lake heats up and the fish head to deeper waters, the more popular option is to go out on a boat. Four marinas serve the lake, and several charter companies rent boats by the hour or the day. You can, of course, launch your own boat, though the upper size limit is a 26 footer. Trolling is allowed anywhere on the lake and is especially popular in summer.