Big Bear Fishing

Rainbow Trout

Big Bear Lake
Fish Report

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by ALAN SHARP
BIG BEAR MARINA
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BIG BEAR LAKE

Fish Report

September 13, 2009

Trollers are scoring a few fish at 2.5 colors of leadcore on nickel and pearl back Needlefish. Bait anglers using PowerBait or nightcrawlers suspended from a slip bobber are also getting a few. Trolling with leadcore line or bait fishing with a slip bobber is the only way to go this time of year. Oxygen levels are still good from 33 feet and up at the dam, 30 feet at Papoose, and 23 feet at the the West ramp and observatory. Water temps dropped a degree from 67 to 66 degrees, trout fishing should improve as the moon wanes and the lake continues to cool due to shorter days and chilly nights. Clarity is at 6 feet so you need to present your bait or lure from 10 to 20 feet below the surface..

Sarah Davidson of Covina landed a nice Big Bear Bow near old Gray's Landing just before sunset. The fish hit a ball of orange PowerBait.

Big Bear Lake is a NEW LAKE. Trout fishing is good in the summer months when it was usually slow, and slower during the spring and fall when it is usually good. Large and small mouth bass, crappie and catfish have reestablished themselves after years of decline. What created the NEW LAKE? The Big Bear Municipal Water District is in the middle of a five year plan to eradicate prolific undesirable aquatic vegetation and allow the desirable plants to grow. They have planted crappie, bluegill and smallmouth bass in large numbers. Shocked and removed thousands of tons of carp. Habitat and aquatic zones have been created to support the fishery. The changes are evident and will continue as the lake transitions from the weed choked put and take trout lake that it was to a well balanced NEW LAKE.

Big Bear Marina is proud to announce that we are a Berkley Pro Shop! We will have a full line of Pure Fishing Products that includes Berkley, Pflueger, All Star, Stren, Penn, Abu Garcia, Spiderwire, Fenwick, Mitchell, Shakespeare and all of the PowerBait and Gulp Alive baits.

September 6, 2009

The full moon and heavy holiday boat traffic has slowed the trout bite this week. Trollers are scoring a few fish at 2.5 colors of leadcore on nickel and pearl back Needlefish. Bait anglers using PowerBait or nightcrawlers suspended from a slip bobber are also getting a few. Trolling with leadcore line or bait fishing with a slip bobber is the only way to go this time of year. Oxygen levels are still good from 33 feet and up at the dam, 30 feet at Papoose, and 23 feet at the the West ramp and observatory. Water temps dropped a degree from 67 to 66 degrees, trout fishing should improve as the moon wanes and the lake continues to cool due to shorter days and chilly nights. Clarity is at 6 feet so you need to present your bait or lure from 10 to 20 feet below the surface..

Sarah Davidson of Covina landed a nice Big Bear Bow near old Gray's Landing just before sunset. The fish hit a ball of orange PowerBait.

June 21, 2009

The Summer Solstice has arrived and the fishing on Big Bear Lake is hot! While the trout and cat fishing remains good, the bass and crappie have come on strong. Anglers are taking crappie in the bays near shore on mini-jigs, plastic grubs and mealworms. Both large and small mouth bass are hitting spinner and buzz baits tossed along rock covered jetty's and near docks all over the lake. Please release these fish unharmed into the lake, as many are full of eggs that will enhance the fishery for years to come. The panfish are great fun and easy for young anglers to catch the excitement of fishing. A clip on bobber attached three feet above a #6 size baitholder hook with a mealworm or piece of nightcrawler is all you need. There is nothing better than to watch that bobber dance on then disappear under the water, accompanied by the surprised shouts of glee from a young angler.

Water temperatures and oxygen levels remain good from the Observatory west to the dam for rainbow trout. Trollers are finding the fish at 3 colors of leadcore, with a few coming on the surface. Bait anglers from shore or boat need to start using a slip bobber rigged to 20 feet as oxygen levels are below 5 parts per million on the bottom now. Catfish continue to be caught in the east end of the lake on the sandy bottom, using mackerel, shrimp and stink baits.

Jordan Eash of Long Beach and Sugarloaf , CA landed a 2.86 and 7.11 pound pair of trout will fishing with GULP along the North Shore East of the dam.

Greg Hipwell of La Verne, CA a regular on the lake, took a 14.14 pound Catfish on GULP Catfish Dough in the wee hours of the morning near Eagle Pt.

May 30, 2009

TWO LAKE RECORDS IN TWO DAYS!

What a great Memorial Weekend on Big Bear Lake! On May 24th, Erin Dominguez of Trabuco Cyn. set a new lake record for Rainbow Trout when she landed a 18.69 lb. beautiful bow. Erin was fishing along the south shore near the dam when the huge trout inhaled a nightcrawler. Wrapped in a blanket Erin cradled the fish in her arms as she arrived at the weigh station.

The very next day, Kevin Bremer from Fontana came to the weigh station with a monster Channel Catfish! Kevin's new lake record weighed in at 27.82 lbs. Kevin was fishing off of Gilner Pt. at 12:30 a.m. when the big cat was hooked on a hot dog of all baits! So....the cat bit the dog, but the dog caught the cat! Last weeks report noted that the "catfish bite should go off soon", boy did it ever!

Erin and Kevin will receive a Shakespeare rod and reel combo, PowerBait and a 2 hour pontoon rental from Berkley and Big Bear Marina.

"Fishin of $50K" has brought 720 anglers to Big Bear Lake this weekend. All are in search of that one tagged trout that is worth $50,000.00, more news to follow, next week.

A lot of large trout that were raised in pens over the winter have been released and are being caught from boat and shore on PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Trollers are finding the trout at 3 to 4 colors with assort Needlefish and Rapalas behind. Small and Largemouth Bass are beginning to nest all around the lake and can be taken on crankbaits, spinners and spoons along the shoreline. Crappie are active in the East end of the lake and being caught on Gulp Waxies and meal worms.

Big Bear Marina is the Official Weigh Station on Big Bear Lake! Bring your trophy catches in and be eligible for monthly Berkley Pro Shop prizes! Stop by and have your picture and catch reported to the fishing media throughout Southern California.

May 10, 2009

Spring got passed over this week as summer time temperatures of 70 degrees warmed the valley and the lake. Trollers going down three plus colors, with various lures and patterns in tow did well as they worked "Trout Triangle" (Eagle Pt. Observatory and Lagonita Pt.). The western two thirds of the lake remained slow for trolling, but look for it to improve as the water temperatures rise. Clarity is at 12 feet and the main reason the fish are holding at levels below that.

Shore fishing remained good as the pink meat holdovers showed along the North Shore on PowerBait and nightcrawlers from Stanfield Cutoff to Juniper Pt. Drift fishing the middle of the lake, or anchored off the points using the same technique will get you in on the bite. See the Tackle Tips section on this site for more info on how to bait fish the lake, in the spring..

The Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic is all set for May 16 and 17. 425 anglers will compete for cash prizes. Trophy sized Rainbow Trout will be released for this event and provide good fishing for the entrants and the public on that weekend and for weeks to come.

Lowell Linder of Glendora gets a big "that a boy" for his 1lb. 13oz. trout he caught while trolling in front on the marina. Lowell's fish hit our number one all time lure, a red dot frog Needlefish.

Big Bear Lake has a new trout tournament this year. "Fishin' for $50K" will be held 5/30/09-5/31/09. The event is sponsored by The Big Bear Lake Resort Association, Berkley, Rapala, Luhr-Jensen, Flambeau, all of the marinas on the lake, Big Bear Marina, Holloways, Pleasure Point, Pine Knot Landing, Capt. John's Marina and The Big Bear Municipal Water District. Information and registration is available at www.bigbear.com or 1-800-4-BIGBEAR.

October 11, 2008

BIG BEAR LAKE RECORD ESTABLISHED FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS

Pam Kalina of Big Bear City has the lake record for largemouth bass! Pam was fishing off of Juniper Pt. on 10/8 when the 5.90 lb. bucketmouth inhaled a firetiger Rapala. Pam and her husband Gary have been catching hundreds of smaller bass in the past few weeks, and Pam felt the difference when this bass hit, after a good fight, the fish was landed and brought to the marina. Pam did release the healthy bass after the weigh in. The largemouths in Big Bear Lake are derived from a northern strain of bass and do not grow as big as the Florida of Texas strain familiar to bass anglers in Southern Calif. and warmer climates. Congratulations Pam! Pam will receive a gift certificate for a pontoon rental from the marina, an Eagle Claw rod and reel, and assorted bass lures.

Rainbow Trout fishing is still tough on Big Bear Lake. With temperatures in the low 20's and 40's this weekend look for the lake to finally turn over, the algae to die off, clarity to improve and all the fish stocked in the last week to go on the chew. There are a lot of trophy sized fish plying the waters of Big Bear Lake. After the Santa Ana winds die down, be sure to hit it hard in the weeks to come, before winter weather settles in, and score your share of big fish.

Don't forget about the other species available on the lake. Crappie, bluegill, redear, smallmouth bass are out there. Lake records have not been established for these species. Catch one of the above and bring it to the official weigh station for your chance at a lake record.

September 28,2008

Rainbow Trout fishing continued to improve this past week on Big Bear Lake. Water temperatures are uniform from top to bottom and the lake will eventually turnover as night time temperatures continue to cool. Oxygen levels have improved as an algae bloom has pumped more oxygen into the water during the day. The trout have stayed down in the western third of the lake and did not migrate east as anticipated. Lead core trollers going down to 3 colors have seen fish to 2 and a half pounds. Needlefish in nickel and brass bikini have gotten the majority of the fish, with the red and gold Buoyant doing well also. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged at fifteen to twenty feet with Nitro and Nightcrawlers suspended below have also gotten in on the quality fish while anchored or drifting the lake.

It's all about Troutfest as 1000 anglers hit the waters of Big Bear Lake in search of trophy sized trout, tagged fish worth tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, and greatest total weight of trout caught during the 2 day event. The event is sold out. If you didn't get in, come up after the event and land yourself a trophy trout. The fishing will be great for weeks to come!

Dan Marshall of Sugarloaf battled a 22 lb.12 oz. channel cat for 20 minutes while fishing the east end. Dan was soaking shrimp when the big cat hit at 9:30 p.m. In the nights before he lost several large cats when his too light line snapped as the big kitties took a big run.

Don't forget about the other species available on the lake. Crappie, bluegill, redear, small and large mouth bass are out there. Lake records have not been established for these species. Catch one of the above and bring it to the official weigh station for your chance at a lake record.

September 21, 2008

Rainbow Trout fishing remained fair this past week on Big Bear Lake. Water temperatures are uniform from top to bottom and the lake will soon turnover as night time temperatures continue to cool. Higher oxygen levels near the observatory have the trout migrating east and they should go off as the water temperatures lower. Lead core trollers going down to 3 colors have seen limits of fish to 2 pounds. Time of day is less important now that boating pressure has fallen off and oxygen levels have improved. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged at fifteen to twenty feet with Nitro and Nightcrawlers suspended below have also gotten in on the quality fish while anchored or drifting the lake.

Large and small mouth bass are showing at the observatory. Try pitching plastics and small spinners with a grub attached. The large mouths are running in the 4 lb. range with the smallies going up to 2 lbs. Catfish remain active on the east end and are going for mackerel and shrimp and stink baits.

Don't forget about the other species available on the lake. Summertime species of crappie, bluegill, redear, small and large mouth bass are out there. Lake records have not been established for these species. Catch one of the above and bring it to the official weigh station for your chance at a lake record.

September 13, 2008

September 6, 2008

Rainbow Trout fishing continues to improve on Big Bear Lake. A DFG plant of quality bows from one and a half to two pounds has improved the bite. While putting a green sheen on the water an algae bloom has increased oxygen levels and provided forage for the fish. Water temperatures are uniform from top to bottom and the lake will soon turnover as night time temperatures continue to cool. Lead core trollers going down to 3 colors have seen limits of fish to 2 pounds. Time of day is less important now that boating pressure has fallen off and oxygen levels have improved. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged at fifteen to twenty feet with Nitro and Nightcrawlers suspended below have also gotten in on the quality fish while anchored or drifting the lake.

Isaac Estrada, 10 yrs. old, took his dad Marc fishing recently on Big Bear Lake. According to Marc it was the best fishing experience he had ever had on the lake. The Estrada's came up from Mission Viejo and hit the observatory early in the morning. Pitching plastics they caught several largemouth bass and to their surprise also caught smallmouth bass up to two pounds. Below is a photo of Isaac and his awesome smallie.

August 24, 2008

Rainbow Trout fishing did improve this past week on Big Bear Lake Lead core trollers going down 2 1/2 half to 3 colors have seen limits of fish to 2 pounds. The best time to fish is early and late, in the western third of the lake. The top water action has been dead, with all the trout hitting nickel back spoons in 12 to 15 feet of water. Water temperatures and the oxycline are uniform from top to bottom which means the fish are scattered and lethargic. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged at fifteen to twenty feet with Nitro and Nightcrawlers suspended below have also seen some limits when drift fishing from a boat or sitting on the shore. Patience is a virtue during the summer on Big Bear Lake. Conditions will improve as the water cools and boating pressure slows.

Large and Small mouth Bass have been hitting topwater poppers and small spinners fished near docks in the shallows of Mallard and Papoose Bay. Catfishing remains good in the east end. Anglers soaking shrimp, mackerel, or stink baits have had singing drags.

August 10, 2008

It's the dog daze of summer and the rainbow trout bite on Big Bear Lake is spotty at best. Water temperatures and oxygen levels remained the same in the western third of the lake and the fish are there, they just aren't on the bite. The fish that are coming in are being caught in the late afternoon and early evening. Leadcore trollers going down two and a half to three colors with small spoons in bright rainbow trout patterns and nickel backs have landed the majority of the trout. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged at fifteen to twenty feet with Nitro and Nightcrawlers suspended below have seen a few too.

Catfishing remains good in the east end. Fish off the bottom with shrimp, mackerel, or stink baits for singing drags and bent rods.

July 26, 2008

Good news for trout anglers on Big Bear Lake this past week. The fish our back on the bite. Oxygen levels have improved throughout the water column, and the fish have established themselves in the western third of the lake. Curt Dills of Fish Big Bear Charter Service reported 35 trout caught during a trip on 7/25. WOW! The trout are more active in the late afternoon than in the morning as oxygen levels actually improve during the day.

For trollers the magic is from the west ramp to the dam, with spoons in nickleback working the best at three colors of lead core. Bait anglers using a slip bobber with dough baits and night crawlers suspended at fifteen feet are feeling the love along the north shore too.

Catfishing remains good in the east end. Fish off the bottom with a #4 baitholder hook below a sliding egg sinker with shrimp, mackerel, or stink baits attached to get in on the nocturnal action.

July 6, 2008

Trout fishing improved this past week, as the fish settled into their new territory. Anglers that shore fished from Windy Pt. to the dam, as well as, anglers drift fishing the same area landed quality fish with some limits reported. A slip bobber setup is a must. The fish are holding in ten to twenty five feet of water and will hit doughbaits and night crawlers fished in that zone. Trollers working the same area, at two to two and a half colors also got in on the action. The top producing lures off the week were Helgy's, Thomas Buoyants and the all-time number one Big Bear Lake lure the red-dot frog Needlefish.

Big Catfish continued to show all along the east end. Nitro Biscuits, shrimp and mackerel fished off the bottom resulted in catches of fifteen to twenty pound whiskerfish. Dan and Tyler Zayas of La Verne once again showed their catfish expertise by landing 18.82 lb. and 20.62 lb. kitties off their favorite spot, Eagle Pt.

If you are "trouted-out" at this time, try going after the Summertime species of panfish, bass and catfish. Lake Records have not been established for Crappie, Bluegill, or Small and Largemouth Bass. Jigs, spinners, rattle cranks, plastics or a good old night crawler will work on these fish, and you too could have a Lake Record.

June 28, 2008

It was all about catfish this past week on Big Bear Lake...big cats...really big cats. With water temperatures in the high sixties throughout the east end of the lake the big whisker fish are on the chew. Tyler Zayas a 5 yr. kid landed a humongous 22.82 lb. kittie. Tyler and his dad Dan were soaking Nitro Catfish Biscuits off of Eagle Point. Both were sound asleep at 4:30 am when they awoke to the sound of a singing drag, as the the big cat took line, in the dark of night. With a little help from dad, Tyler landed the fish after a twenty minute battle. Good job Tyler!

Rainbow Trout fishing got even tougher this past week. With water temperatures rising and oxygen levels lowering at the dam, the trout seem a little confused as they migrate west. A lot of fish have been metered off Boulder Bay, but they won't go on the bite. Look for conditions to improve as the fish acclimate to their new neighborhood. Drift or still fishing with Nitro and nightcrawlers from twenty to thirty feet is the best bet for bait anglers. Trollers should go down three and four colors and present a variety of Rapalas and Neddlefish in different color patterns for a shot at the bows.

June 15, 2008

Water temperatures rose this past week and the lake has turned over. With surface temperatures in the low sixties and bottom temperatures in the high fifties, the lake is now in its summertime mode. Oxygen levels have risen to 33 feet at the dam, 36 feet at Papoose Bay and the west ramp, while the observatory is at 33 feet. What does all this mean? "Go West" is the direction the trout are heading for their annual migration to deeper, cooler water.

Slip bobbers for trout bait anglers is a must now that the trout are holding between 15 and 30 feet. Nitro dough and nightcrawlers presented this way have caught limits. Trollers using leadcore are going down to 3 and 4 colors to find the fish biting on cooper finish Needlefish. Surface action has slowed with the rising temperatures.

Big Trout of the week honors go to George Elliot of Apple Valley who weighed-in a 6.45 pound bow. The fish hit a CD-7 Rapala at 4 colors off of Windy Pt.

Summertime species of panfish, bass and catfish are getting active with the rising water temperatures. Take a kid out to the shore with a clipon bobber and worm rigged to their rod and watch their faces light up as scrappy panfish make the bobber dance then disappear under the surface.

June 8, 2008

Rainbow trout fishing remained strong on Big Bear Lake this past week. With surface water temperatures holding in the 58 degree range from east west quality limits of trout were the rule. Josh Cavaliere of Lake Elsinore and coworker Adam Cole of Highland caught quality fish within 15 minutes of each other at the dam. Josh and Adam were using a slip bobber setup with Eagle Claw Nitro as the bait. Josh's trout tipped the scales at 6.91 lbs. while Adam's fish weighed 6.32 lbs.

Trollers with leadcore at 3 to 3.5 colors had the best catches with Needlefish in nickel bikini and copper chicken wing. Flat lining CD Rapalas was less effective. The majority of the fish continue to hold off the observatory to Windy Pt. Look for the trout to move further west as the water warms .Bait anglers with a slip bobber setup with Nitro and nightcrawlers suspended at 12 to 20 feet will get the best results.

Smallmouth bass are being caught on spinner and chatter baits with the fish going to 2 pounds. Largemouth bass are hitting jigs and plastics as they enter their pre-spawn mode.

May 25, 2008

Crazy spring weather that saw snow, rain, hail, fog and high winds come to Big Bear Lake, could not keep avid anglers away, those who showed, were rewarded with quality limits and Big Fish. Top fish of the week was brought in on 5/25 by Darren Etem of Huntington Beach who landed the fish on the south shore near the dam while soaking a night crawler on 2 lb. test. Without a net to land the Big Bear Bow, Darren wedged the large fish in the rocks and grabbed it up in a hurry. Father and son team Dave and Jared Van Hosen of Juniper Hills, CA landed 6.65 lb. and 4.61 lb. respectively while fishing with orange glitter Powerbait just east of the observatory on 5/20.

The fishing will remain strong into June, with a lot of trophy sized fish plying the waters of Big Bear Lake. Don't miss out on the chance at one of these beautiful bows. The fish are up and holding in the top 10 feet of the water column. Trollers flatlining CD Rapalas or fishing them 2 colors down on leadcore are doing well. Bait anglers with dough baits and nightcrawlers suspended 10 to 15 down are also seeing a lot of action. The bows are still holding in the middle of the lake with Lagonita Pt. to the observatory producing well. The surface water temperature is holding at 58 degrees an at that temperature the fish will remain in that area until the temperatures rise and the fish start moving west.

May 17, 2008

The Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic, got off to a great start today! Rainbow Trout from 5 to 7 pounds hit the scale on the first day of the two day event. Anglers scored the fish from boat and shore, trolling and bait fishing. Conditions were ideal with air temperatures reaching 77 degrees and the surface water temperature at 57 degrees, the fish and anglers loved the balmy day. CD-07 Rapalas and Thomas Buoyant topped the hot lures of the day. Greg Boll and I, owners of Big Bear Marina landed the current 2nd and 4th place fish in the Classic. Greg's fish weighed in at 6.81 pounds and mine was 5.21 pounds. Greg's trout hit a Rainbow Rapala, flatlined on mono, while mine took a red and gold Bouffant at two colors of leadcore.

May 11, 2008

Big Bear Lake trout fishing continued to be excellent this past week as surface water temperatures held at an ideal 54 degrees. Shore anglers working the north shore from Windy Pt. to the dam can still fish off the bottom using a sliding egg sinker system with a 2 to 4 foot leader. Nitro bait and inflated night crawlers have worked the best, as oxygen is plentiful from top to bottom. Trollers using lead core at 2.5 to 3.5 colors with Needlefish in the bikini pattern and Rapalas in rainbow and fire minnow pattern have been working the middle of the lake from Windy Pt. to Papoose Bay scoring limits of holdover trout to 3 pounds.

In honor of Mothers Day five yr. old Cody Hipwell of LaVerne and his sister Josie remain our photo choice this week. Cody landed a 6.46 lb. Big Bear Bow while trolling a flatlined CD Rapala in Rainbow Trout pattern off of Eagle Pt. Josie caught a 2 lb. rainbow that had a tagged dorsal fin, part of the October Troutfest in 07'.

Large trophy sized rainbow trout will be stocked in the lake this week as part of the Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic. In addition to numerous cash and tackle prizes for the 425 entrants, several fish reared in pens over the winter could break the lake record of 14.68 lbs. set during the 1995 Classic. Look for these fish to be caught next weekend and in the weeks to come.

May 4, 2008

Trout fishing on Big Bear Lake went wide open this weekend! Trollers went 2 to 3 colors down with any kind of Rapala in tow saw limits of holdover trout within a half hour! Limits came out of virtually every area of the lake. "Trout Triangle" defined by Eagle Pt., the Observatory and Lagonita Pt. still turned out a lot of fish. With surface temperatures in the 54 degree range and oxygen plentiful the Big Bear Bows are loving it. You can throw your tackle box at these fish now and get your limit of pound and a half to two pound trout easily on your favorite lure. Shore anglers working the north shore from Windy Pt. to the dam have also seen limits soaking Nitro bait and inflated night crawlers on two to four foot leaders.

Five yr. old Cody Hipwell of LaVerne landed a 6.46 lb. Big Bear Bow while trolling a flatlined CD Rapala in Rainbow Trout pattern off of Eagle Pt. on 5/1 (photo below). His sister 7 yr. old Josie Hipwell brought in a 2 lb rainbow on 4/25 that had a tagged dorsal fin that was part of the October Troutfest in 07'. No big prize for Josie, but both of the "fishin kids" received Eagle Claw goody bags. Way to go Cody and Josie!

April 27, 2008

Trout fishing on Big Bear Lake improved this week as high pressure built rising the surface water temperature to 51 degrees. With the bottom water temperatures the same as the top and oxygen levels high threw out the water column the fish are scattered throughout the lake. "Trout Triangle" defined by Eagle Pt., the Observatory and Lagonita Pt. remains the most productive area. Trollers with leadcore down to three colors with Rapalas in firetiger and chartreuse colors, as well as, Needlefish in fire pearl, and red dot frog have scored easy limits. Keep an eye on the areas around Metcalf Bay and Windy Pt as large schools of trout are showing there and should go on the bite soon. Shore anglers working the north shore from Juniper Pt. to the dam have also seen limits soaking Nitro bait and inflated night crawlers on two to four foot leaders.

Greg Long of Yucaipa weighed in a 5.09 pound rainbow at the Big Bear Lake Official Weigh Station on 4/25. Greg's fish was taken near the west ramp on a CD-7 fire tiger Rapala (photo below).

APRIL 20, 2008

Fishing conditions on Big Bear Lake really took a turn for the worse this past week. With strong winds coming from every direction on the compass, cooler air temperatures and a full moon, the trout bite slowed down. Add a slow snow melt that is keeping the water at 46 to 48 degrees, it makes for a difficult transition from winter to spring for the lake and the fish. Anglers braving the chilly conditions have found the trout scattered and down deep. Lead core trollers are going down three to four colors, with Rapalas working the best. Shore anglers are finding the bite erratic too, as the winds muddy the waters close to shore.

Look for the bite to come back, as the moon wanes, air and water temperatures rise, and the zonal flow of west to east prevailing wind returns.

Big Bear Marina is proud to announce that we are the first OFFICIAL WEIGH STATION on Big Bear Lake. New LAKE RECORDS will be established! Bring your BIG FISH and QUALITY LIMITS to the marina for weigh-in and be eligible for monthly prizes.

APRIL 13, 2008

The trout fishing on Big Bear Lake continues to be wide open! Limits are the rule for trollers, as well as, bait anglers. Surface water temperatures are holding in the 48 degree range and the trout are coming out of spawn. Anglers soaking dough baits and inflated night crawlers from the shore or boat, using a sliding egg sinker and varied leader lengths from one foot to four feet have done well along the Northshore. Trollers have had to work a little bit harder as the fish are moving daily and the lures and colors they are biting also seems to change daily. "Trout Triangle" is the most consistently producing area (Eagle Pt.-Observatory-Lagonita Pt.-Big Bear Marina). Fish are being caught on the surface down to three colors of leadcore. Needlefish in the fire pearl pattern and Rapalas in the fire tiger and fire minnow patterns have done well. The bite will remain hot for weeks to come.Look for other species to start showing as the water continues to warm and they come out of their winter slumber. Big Bear Marina is proud to announce that we are the first OFFICIAL WEIGH STATION on Big Bear Lake. New LAKE RECORDS will be established! Bring your BIG FISH and QUALITY LIMITS to the marina for weigh-in and be eligible for monthly prizes.

March 30, 2008

Big Bear Marina is proud to announce that we are the first OFFICIAL WEIGH STATION on Big Bear Lake. .New LAKE RECORDS will be established! Bring your BIG FISH and QUALITY LIMITS to the marina for weigh-in and be eligible for monthly prizes.

The season has started off with a bang for the few anglers on Big Bear Lake! While shore anglers have been scoring nice holdover Rainbow Trout on inflated nightcrawlers and Nitro baits, now the trollers are in on the action too. Big Bear Marinas launch ramp is the only public launch ramp open now, and with rental boats available the lake is starting to buzz with the sound of outboard motors.

Surface water temperatures are at 48 degrees and with plenty of oxygen from top to bottom the fish are everywhere. Trolling the top with CD Rapalas has worked well with Hot Mustard Muddler the hot color of the week. Leadcore trolled at 2 colors with Brass and Nickel Bikini Neddlefish in tow has done well too.

Look for the trout fishing to just keep getting better, as the water warms and the larger fish get out of spawn mode, and go on the chew.