Bear Lake

About Bear Lake
Located on the Utah/Idaho border, Bear Lake is 20 miles long, between 5 and 8 miles wide and covers approximately 70,000 surface acres. Averaging 84 feet deep Bear Lake is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah. At an elevation of 5,990 feet, Bear Lake freezes irregularly providing ice fishing opportunists on average of half the winter seasons. Bear Lake contains a high content of dissolved minerals, which reflect blue light creating a spectacular turquoise color.

Bear Lake is known for producing trophy Cutthroat Trout boasting a 19 lb state record on the Idaho side. Cutthroat are regularly caught in the 2 to 5 lb range with some falling in the 8 to 10 lb range. Although less abundant, Lake Trout are commonly caught on the 10 to 15 lb range and some 20 lb Lakers are caught every year. Other target species include Bear Lake Whitefish, Bonneville Whitefish and Bonneville Cisco. The Bear Lake Sculpin is another small inhabitant and is an important forge for target species in the lake.

Effective fishing tactics include trolling and jigging from boats and can be done throughout the year although the winter and spring months are the most productive. Ice fishing can be very productive when safe ice exists. Ice does not usually become solid until mid to late January.

How to Fish
Trolling - Use large Rapalas, Flatfish and Spoons in black, silver, blue, pearl or chartreuse. Choose lures that imitate Cisco or Whitefish. Using sonar to locate the depth of your target species. In general active fish can be found in 40 feet of water or deeper during the summer months, 30 to 40 feet in the fall and winter months, and throughout the water column during the spring. Generally speaking you will identify Cutthroat Trout suspended higher in the water column as apposed to Lake Trout which are easily identified by their close proximity to the bottom in 50 to 100 feet of water. It is always best to troll your presentation just above your active fish than to run below. Down Riggers, Leaded Line and Divers can be used to achieve the necessary depth and pop-gear and dodgers can be used for attracting fish to your presentation. Vary your speed until you identify that which is most effective. In general Lake Trout prefer 1.5 to 2.5 MPH while Cutthroat prefer a bit faster speeds.

Jigging - Use 3 to 4 inch tube jigs or curly tailed grubs tipped with a Cisco tail or sucker meat. Jigging is very effective through the ice or from a boat when the weather is calm. An ideal jigging presentation will hold horizontal in the water so position your weighted jig hook in such a way that you achieve balance even with the bait applied. It is best to work the bottom in 30 to 60 feet of water where break lines or structure is present.
   
Where to Fish

• Cisco Beach on the East Side
• North Eden on the East Side
• First and Second Points on the East Side
• The Rock Pile off of Ideal Beach (41° 54’ 49.90” N by 111° 22’ 21.70” W)
• The Mouth of Swan Creek 
• The New Rock Piles off of Swan Creek
• Cisco (41° 58’ 5.80” N by 111° 23’ 40.90” W)
• Cutthroat (41° 58’ 11.20” N by 111° 23’ 43.70” W)
• Sculpin (41° 58’ 17.50” N by 111° 23’ 45.90” W)
• Whitefish (41° 58’ 25.10” N by 111° 23’ 47.90” W) 

Fishing Regulations

• A valid Utah or Idaho fishing license is valid on the entire lake.
• There are no size restrictions for any fish on Bear Lake.
• During the winter fishing season, ice holes should not exceed 18 inches in diameter.
• Those anglers dip-netting for Bonneville Cisco have no restrictions on hole diameter.
• Hand-held dip-nets may be used to fish for Bonneville Cisco year-round, but the diameter of the dip-net must not exceed 18 inches in diameter and must be a hand held dip-net.
• Daily possession limits are 30 Cisco, 10 Whitefish and 2 Trout in any combination.

Map & Location