Big Bear Lake

Set in California, United States, Big Bear Lake is a reservoir that holds the typical mix of warm-water and cool-water species you'd expect for the area. Anglers fishing Big Bear Lake usually focus their effort on transitions: the edges of weed beds, points that stick out into deeper water, and the shaded sides of any inflow. Early morning and the last hour of light tend to be the most productive windows on a body of water this size.

Location

34.2533, -116.9219 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutLargemouth bassSmallmouth bassCommon carpChannel catfishSteelhead

Fishing Techniques

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Largemouth bass

  Vary your retrieve speed and lure presentation until you find what the bass are keying on, as their preferences can change daily based on weather and water conditions.

• For Smallmouth bass

  Focus your fishing efforts around rocky structures, ledges, and areas with current, as smallmouth bass prefer these habitats.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Big Bear Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Big Bear Lake, make sure your licence covers California, United States and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in California

See all fishing spots in California →

Other Fishing Regions in United States