July 24, 2011
MOON VANISHES BITE REAPPEARS
Just as predicted once the moon waned, the trout got back on track and started to bite again. While the majority of the trout caught recently have come to the net, in the west end of the lake, anglers are still finding trout near the observatory. With surface water temperature at 68 degrees in that area, it is a little surprising, but oxygen levels are good to 23 feet and the trout are still ther
Just as predicted once the moon waned, the trout got back on track and started to bite again. While the majority of the trout caught recently have come to the net, in the west end of the lake, anglers are still finding trout near the observatory. With surface water temperature at 68 degrees in that area, it is a little surprising, but oxygen levels are good to 23 feet and the trout are still there.
Oxygen levels are uniform from the dam to the west ramp, holding at 26 to 29 feet below the surface. Water temperatures range from 65 to 66 degrees in the west end of the lake. Trolling leadcore line at 4 colors has produced limits for anglers working that area. The hot lures remain the same with gold Thomas Buoyants and copper chicken wing Needlefish bringing in most of the fish. A lure that has been very good in the past is starting to get good results once again, purple and pink Dick Nite Spoons are a must for those running leadcore off their reels.
It is unusual for the trout fishing to be this good so far into summer. Take advantage of it while it last, for no one knows how long the strong bite will continue. With a little luck it may not change at all, making for one of the best trout seasons ever.
July 17, 2011
FULL MOON FLATTENS BITE
Up until the full moon on 7/15 the trout bite on Big Bear Lake was very strong. In the afternoon prior to the full moon Brad Bush, San Bernardino was casting a small crank bait on the south shore near the dam, when a trout approximately ten pounds hit the lure fished on 2 pound test. Brad worked the 27 inch trout for 20 minutes, before landing it. Unfortunately the fish was weighed on a less than accurate spring loaded scale a fellow angler let him use.
Once the moon went full the bite died. Full moons in the summer time seem to have a greater impact on the feeding habits of fish than ones in the spring and fall. When a full moon rises, the fish feed during the night in the bright light of the moon, they remain active until mid-morning, and then literally take the rest of the day off.
The best time to wet a line is in the morning. West is best and will continue to be during the heat of summer. Some anglers have hooked trout to three pounds on gold Rapalas fished on the surface before 10 am. Anglers heading out later have picked up a few trout at 2.5 to 4 colors of leadcore on Thomas Buoyants and Needlefish.
Surface lake temperatures range from 66 degrees at the dam to 70 degrees off Juniper Pt. Oxygen levels are good from 26 ft. to the surface in the west and 20 ft. and up in the east.
Look for the bite to improve greatly as the moon wanes in the days to come and the fish get back on a regular schedule.
July 10, 2011
GOOD GOOD MIGRATION
Just like summer it took longer to get here, but the annual migration of our trout to the west has begun. While smaller recently stocked fish can still be found mid lake in the "triangle" most of the acclimated trout have headed further west.
Seeking the cooler waters west, which is two degrees lower than middle and eastern thirds of the lake, the trout have taken up new residence along "Trout Alley" (Metcalf Bay to Boulder Bay South Shore) and all the way to the dam.
Trollers working those areas with leadcore down from 3 to 4 colors, and Neddlefish in copper and nickel finishes have been finding nice holdover trout to 3 pounds with smaller fish in the mix and an occasional big boy to boot.
For bait anglers soaking PowerBait, the only way to go, is to suspend you bait from a slip bobber. Oxygen levels at the dam have diminished below 20 ft., while Papoose Bay is at 29 feet. Adjust your slip bobber at 15 to 20 feet to find the fish.
Not much surface action, except for very early of very late in the day. If you are working the surface, try to find an area where the wind has blown the dead weeds away, if not, your lure will constantly be fouled.
Ed Sullivan, Chino Hills was working a fly/bubble rig near the dam on 6/28 when he got into a nice trout, the 7.37 trout hit a wooley bugger on the surface. Ed was in for a "Really Big Shoo", as the bow put on a 10 minute fight, testing the strength of his 4 pound test line, before coming to the net.
It is time to head west young man and grow old with the fish.
July 2, 2011
NEW BIG BEAR LAKE SMALLIE RECORD
Brad Matz, Big Bear Lake set a new Big Bear Lake record for smallmouth bass on 6/27/11. The 3.50 pound bass beat the previous lake record held by Gary Kalina, Big Bear City. The old record stood at 3.12 pounds and was set less than a year ago on 8/12/10.
Brad is the owner of snaprco.com a company that is famous for inventing the SNAPR, a hook setting device that is sold worldwide. Brad was curious when he arrived at the Big Bear Marina/Big Bear Municipal Water Dist. Official Weigh Station at 5 pm on June 27th. Not sure what the fish would weigh and not allowing himself to contemplate a lake record. Brad said, "Here we go", as he laid the smallie in the scale basket.
As the scale read 3.50 Brad exclaimed, "Wow, that's a nice one...what is the lake record?" As I turned to reveal the lake record board, he couldn't believe his eyes! "Congratulations Brad you have a new lake record!"
Brad was so happy, because not only did he have a new lake record, he caught the record fish on a new jig he is developing for his company Snaprco. The jig is called the Aquatic Predator, and should be a big seller in the bassin' market. The jig is not yet available to bass anglers, but you can bet it will be very soon.
All Big Bear Lake Records can be found at BigBearMarina.com, or stop by the marina and check out the lake record wall of fame. No lake record for bluegill has been established yet, and the crappie record at 1.26 pounds could be an easy one to beat.
June 26, 2011
WATERS WARM, TROUT FISHING STAYS HOT
Even though the surface temperature of the lake has jumped up to 65 degrees across the lake, the trout fishing remains great. Trout Triangle is still producing limits of trout in a short time. Some fish are starting to show in the west end. It is a bit surprising that the trout haven't moved further west yet, but they seem to still like life in the triangle.
Oxygen levels are good except for the bottom. If you are bait fishing, it is time to rig up your slip bobber, to keep your bait off the bottom, where there are no trout and the weeds are thick.
For trollers, leadcore at 3 to 4 colors is still the best way to catch your limit, as it has been all year. Needlefish and Thomas Buoyants in various colors are getting the best results. The trout are in the one plus pound range with a few going to three pounds. Not as many big fish coming in recently, as the majority of the trophy trout stocked for the May Trout Classic have been caught.
Get out on the lake and wet a line before the 4th of July crowd stirs up the water and the fireworks make the trout dive for cover.
June 18, 2011
FLAG DAY IS BIG FISH DAY
What happened on Flag Day 2011? I know we are all proud to be Americans and live in this great country, but can fish feel the same way? Apparently so, every time I turned around another huge fish hit the scales of the official weigh station. The thermometer was the highest it's been since last summer, high pressure was building, the sun was hot and a full moon was rising. Conditions that would make any angler smile, but not always the best for fishing. None of it mattered when first Tom Jordan, N. Hollywood showed up with a 14.11 pound rainbow he caught off Windy Pt. on Berkley Gulp. His is the largest trout brought to the marina this year. The trout was 30 inches long with a girth of 21 inches, a true trophy; Tom plans to have a mount made of it.
Next was Tony Jackson, Big Bear City who just after midnight 6/14 landed the first large channel catfish of the year. The 20.44 pound kitty swallowed a chuck of salmon fished off the east end in the China Gardens area. Tony caught the fish using an antique rod and reel he bought at a garage sale. The only thing new, and most important, was the 12 pound test Maxima he spooled onto the old reel.
The third fish to show its colors on Flag Day was brought in by Cody O'Niel, Joshua Tree. His 10.62 Big Bear Bow hit a trout jig fished near the dam. He too plans to have the fish mounted, but only after he was reassured by his father, that he had never caught a trout that big, and there was a good chance that this would be the biggest trout that Cody may ever catch.
What a great day for Tom, Tony and Cody! Proud Americans, proud fish on a very proud day at Big Bear Lake.
June 13, 2011
RAPALA RULE BIG TROUT
Big trout keep hitting the official weigh station scale. Within two days, two beautiful bows came in on Rapalas. Steve Caines from Riverside nailed a 7.69 pound bow off Lagonita Pt. He had a deep diver Rapala out on straight mono. Steve and his fishing buddy Jack had been fishing the lake for three days, when just before the end of their fishing adventure the big trout hit. "What a great way to end our trip. After catching limits for three days we found a big one", Steve exclaimed.
Fishing stories are always interesting, sometimes hard to believe, the next one is funny. Ronald Couture up from Riverside was tied up to the S.S. Relief by the observatory; his fishing buddy Andy needed some relief.
Bored and waiting for Andy, Ronald began casting and retrieving a CD Rapala. On the sixth cast a 10.22 monster bow whacked the Rapala. Ronald realizing he was into a big fish, starting yelling to Andy to hurry up! Ronald needed a net man as urgently as Andy had needed the restroom. Being a good fishing pal Andy came to the rescue and netted the trout. What are fishing pals for?
Moral of the story, take care of your fishing buddy, and he will take care of you.
June 5, 2011
TROUT STAYS STRONG
Luhr-Jensen Needlefish ruled Big Bear Lake this past week. Anglers trolling the lure with leadcore from 2 to 4 colors found the fish with ease. Trout Triangle continued to be the hot spot on the lake, but there was an exception.
Randolph Orozco up from LA was trolling a new UV needlefish in flo-pink on the surface near old Gray's Landing when he hooked and landed a 8.08 Big Bear Bow.
The colors of choice for the needlefish coming out of Trout Triangle were the copper chicken wing, brown trout and what is known as wonder bread. Wonder bread is actually a white-chartreuse crs blue dot needlefish, which unfortunately is no longer carried by Luhr-Jensen, but is still available at some tackle shops.
6/11-6/12 brings "Fishin' for $50K" back to Big Bear Lake. Come on up and take a shot at walking away with $50K, a boat load of great cash and tackle prizes from Berkley, Shakespeare, Pflueger, Rapala, Luhr-Jensen and Flambeau. There are still plenty of trophy trout in the lake too. What do you have to lose?
May 29, 2011
Fabulous Fishing
It's all coming together, the world didn't end last Friday, the moon is waning and Mother Nature is in a better mood too. The fish in Big Bear Lake got the news somehow, and they are very happy.
Curt Dills of Fish Big Bear Charter Service said this is the best year he has ever seen on Big Bear Lake. Curt has been fishing the lake for over 40 years. Last year the master guide caught 3000 trout for his customers during the season. This year his customers have netted 1000 trout and it is still May. Incredible numbers that support what a great trout fishery we have. Dills release rate is over 60% and insures a continued strong fishery.
Harry Jones, local bass master agrees. Harry has been fishing the lake for bass for over 30 years and reports this is the best bassin' he has seen in quite a few year. Jones is working the Eagle Pt. area and bays tossing plastic jigs and worms near docks. He has caught largemouth bass to 4 lbs. and smallmouth bass up to 3 lbs., with a 50-50 mix for both species and a 100% release rate. The bass are still in pre-spawn mode with no evidence of bedding nest being built yet.
Crappie are everywhere. Sheltered near docks around the lake these scrappy little fish are inhaling mini-jigs in a flash. They are also in pre-spawn mode, feeding on everything, with their spots getting bigger and blacker by the day.
With the lake full, new habitat and forage areas exist for the bass and crappie like never before. Submerged willows, weeds and tree roots provide great food sources and areas to spawn and for the fry to hide in as they grow into fingerlings and finally catchable fish.
If this isn't enough to get you and your fishing buddy out on the lake how about the chance to catch a trophy trout from 8 to 12 pounds? The trout from the May Trout Classic are still out there and are hitting the scales daily.
Mario Castelan, Rancho Cucamonga too home a 10.73 pound rainbow trout this past week. The fish bit a ball of PowerBait fished off the North Shore near the dam.
May 21, 2011
BIG HOLIDAY WEEKEND ON TAP
Finally the weather is improving and the Memorial Day weekend is upon us. Highway 330 (the front side) will be open for the holiday weekend (5/27-5/30) then close again for continued repair. The fishing has been outstanding! Trout Triangle in front of the marina has been kicking out a lot of trout. Trout are hitting a variety of Needlefish at 3 to 4 colors of leadcore. Surface action is heating too, flat lined mono trolling Thomas Buoyants and Rapalas has gotten some great results. Water temperatures are holding in the low fifties, perfect for trout. Trout fishing has improved in the West end too. Bait anglers are still find trout along the North Shore from Stanfield all the way to the dam. PowerBait is the way to go.
Joe Doyel (father) and Nathan Doyel (son) from Bloomington, have a great fishing story to share the rest of their lives. Dad caught a 11.50 lb. trout trolling a gold Thomas Buoyant near the dam and son caught a 9.75 lb. beauty on the same lure 2 hours later in Trout Alley. Two trophy trout in two hours on the same lure, amazing!
May 16, 2011
Mother Nature just keeps kicking our butts. We knew going into the 29th May Trout Classic that the weather could be a little tough, but 15 to 25 mile an hour winds with heavy fog and snow just didn't seem possible. It was and sprinter just won't go away. As daylight dawned on the second day of the Classic, you could not see across the lake. The wind churned the waters up so much, and with snow blowing about, it reminded me of how Lake Erie looks in the winter. Not fit for man or beast, we closed the marina and left the lake to a half dozen boats (what were they thinking?) and Lake Patrol. A disappointed Jason Hall summed it up, "What can you do?" Nothing!
364 anglers participated in this year's Classic. A small turn out unfortunately, but these anglers and the thousands before them in the last 29 years have helped to stock the lake with 224,500 pounds of trout at a cost of $553,000.00! What a great effort by the Hall family to enhance our fishery. Most only fished on Saturday. Due to the light fishing pressure on Sunday, only two spots changed from Saturday's weigh-in, 5th place in the adult division and 3rd place in the juniors. The big winner with a 9.10 pound trout was Jack Storti of Westlake Village, Jack walked away with $1875.00 for his catch. Local Big Bear City angler David Marshall took second place with an 8.78 pound trout worth $1275.00. Third place was claimed by another local Bob Mc Grew from Fawnskin with an 8.37 pound trout good for $900.00. In the junior division (12-15 yrs.) Cody Hemsley from Fontana took top honors with his 2.39 pound trout. Pee-wee division (5-11 yrs.) was claimed by Michael Torres from Orange with a 2.59 pound rainbow. The majority of the large fish were caught on Berkley PowerBait while drift fishing or Luhr-Jensen Needlfish trolled with leadcore, all tried and true methods.
There are plenty of trophy trout cruising the waters of Big Bear Lake. Don't let the opportunity to catch one pass you by. Wet a line from shore of boat and you too could go bendo on a big bow. Tight lines and good fishing to you and yours.
May 8, 2011
May 14 and 15 will bring us the 29th Jim Hall Memorial Trout Classic. Jason Hall has ordered $8000 of trophy sized trout for the event. Jason says the mix of fish will included trout from 13-15 lbs., a large number of trout from 6-8 lbs., and balance running 2-4 lbs. The event is open to 525 anglers and as of May 8th has 330 entered. This is a great trout tournament and the granddaddy of tournaments on the lake. Don't miss out on your chance to catch a huge trout and possibly walk away with cash and prizes.
Trout fishing is excellent now. Bob Miller of Big Bear City who fishes the lake at least 4 times a week reports trout from 2 to 3 pounds hitting jointed Rapalas fished on the surface with straight mono. Bob is also scoring quick limits of trout around 1.5 lbs. These fish are hitting Needlefish in brown trout and copper chicken wing patterns that are trolled at 3 to 4 colors of leadcore.
The hot spot on the lake is "Trout Triangle." The triangle is right in front of the marina and and runs form Lagonita Pt., to the Observatory and then to Eagle Pt.
May 1, 2011
It has been a tough week for fisherman and boaters on Big Bear Lake. High winds that just got stronger throughout the week, became ridiculous over the weekend. With the waters white capped and the wind blowing from all directions, most boats stayed in their slips.
Those that braved the churned up lake still caught trout as they found shelter from the wind in bays and behind points. Bait boys bundled up like Eskimo, fishing PowerBait in Papoose and Boulder Bays filled their stringers with nice holdover trout in the one to two pound class.
For trollers the toughest thing for them was keeping control of their boats. Four colors down on leadcore was still the magic for them. Some fish were caught at two colors as the water temperatures begin to rise. Needlefish and Rapalas are still the lures of choice for trolling. Before the chilly air blew them away, a hatch of various insects started and the trout became more active on the surface. Look for the bugs to return with better weather and the trout rocketing out of the water like little marlin.
Kaelee Haggerty, a local Big Bear Lake nine year old got in a good day of trolling before the winds came. Fishing with mom and dad she landed a six and a half pound rainbow, while trolling mid lake between the Observatory and Lagonita Pt.
April 23, 2011
The trout fishing is so good on Big Bear Lake; fisherman are getting more hits than Google! From boat or shore anglers are catching quick limits of trout in the one to two pound range. Larger fish are starting to show as the brood stock comes out of spawn. Bait anglers are seeing fish from 5 to 8 pounds on PowerBait, off of Grout Bay and Boulder Bay. Fishing off the North Shore remains steady from Stanfield Cutoff to Juniper Pt. Trollers working “Trout Triangle” defined by Eagle Pt., Lagonita Pt. and the Solar Observatory are getting limits in an hour. Leadcore down 3 to 4 colors with Needlefish and Rapalas in tow works the best. Remember to troll slowly. Five year old Kayla Knoob from Fountain Valley landed a 7.94 lb. Big Bear Bow. The fish hit rainbow PowerBait in the mouth of Boulder Bay before Grandpa could get the other lines out.
April 17, 2011
Mother Nature just can’t seem to make up her mind. Just when it looked like winter was over and spring had sprung, Big Bear went back to winter. Now we are back to spring! So what to call this time of year? How about "Sprinter?" A mixed bag of weather between winter and spring is what you get in Big Bear this time of year. As we cleared the snow once again, anglers got back on the water with great results. Trollers working leadcore at 3 t o4 colors saw limits in a hurry. The trout are in the one to two pound class and hit Needlefish in a variety of colors. Brass, copper and nickel back spoons all worked, regardless of the color pattern. Rapalas in various colors and styles are getting the job done too. It doesn't seem to matter as these hungry trout inhale anything that is trolled SLOWLY.Bait anglers working the North Shore at Juniper and Windy Points; continue to get limits too. It's all about GARLIC, Powerbait, nightcrawlers, GULP attractant, your mamma's meatballs, just as long as it's garlic. Richard Garber from Huntington Beach landed a nice Big Bear Bow fishing the shore off Windy Pt. The 4.88 pound trout inhaled a PowerBait cocktail made up of rainbow and garlic.
April 7, 2011
Well just when we got off to a great start of the 2011 season, Mother Nature changed her mind about winter being over. With high winds and accumulating snow, it just isn't a very good time to go fishing. I’m sure Mother Nature will get back to spring soon. Hang in there and look for more updates soon.
April 3, 2011
The season got off to a good start with a full lake, full of fish. The marinas and launch ramps are open. Trollers found the trout holding in the East end of the lake from Eagle Pt. to Stanfield Cutoff. With water temperatures a chilly 40 degrees on the bottom and 42 degrees on the surface the trout are staying in shallower water that warms in the sunlight. Trolling slowly is important during the early part of the season. Leadcore trolled at 3 to 4 colors accounted for the best catches. Luhr Jensen Neddlefish and Thomas Buoyant spoons in fire pearl and pearl bikini patterns caught limits of trout in the one to three pound range.Bait anglers working the shore from Juniper Pt. to Stanfield Cutoff continued to do well. Fishing off the bottom with PowerBait and nightcrawlers in garlic scent produced limits. Cast your bait 25 to 30 feet from shore and vary your leader length from 1 to 3 feet. Once you find the zone the fish are feeding in adjust the distance and depth of your bait to catch more fish.It's time to hit the water, wet a line and watch your rod go bendo!
February 14, 2011
THE 2011 SEASON IS COMING!!!
GOOD NEWS!!!
Due to the epic rain in December 2010 Big Bear Lake is full! Look for the fishing to be better than ever with areas of the lake now under water, making for new habitat and forage. We plan to open on or before April 1st. Keep on eye on this site for the official start of the 2011 season. In the mean time; Tight Lines and Good Fishing where ever you fish!
October 8, 2010
Troutfest 2010 is in the books. The weather was better than the past few years, but the trophy fish stocked for the event just didn't want to go on the bite. A week later the trout are starting to show. Oxygen levels and water temps are good east to west and top to bottom. The fish are being caught on PowerBait and nightcrawlers along the shore line and by trollers working a variety of lures from 2 to 3 colors of leadcore.
As long as the weather holds, the fishing will be good. Come on up and land yourself a big trout before they and the weather leave us.
This will be the last report for the 2010 season. Hope you all have a good one. Tight lines and good fishing.
September 12, 2010
COOL NIGHTS = GOOD FISHING!
Cool nights have made the water temperatures drop and the trout are loving it. With temps in the mid 60's across the lake and from top to bottom, the trout are hitting a variety of Needlefish and Rapalas from the surface down to 12 feet. When the wind is up the surface action on Rapalas has been working well, with no wind, leadcore at one and a half to two and a half colors with Needlefish in tow has produced limits. For bait anglers, drift fishing with a slip bobber rigged to the depth of 8 to 12 feet with PowerBait floating behind will get the job done. The fish are holding from Windy Pt. west to the dam. Look for them to start heading east towards "Trout Triangle" as temps continue to drop and oxygen levels increase for uniform conditions throughout the lake.
Catfish and carp fishing has slowed as the shore cruisers are heading off to deeper water.
Bass and panfish continue to hit small spinners and jigs pitched near weed beds and structure.
Western Outdoor News TroutFest is only three weeks away. Be sure to get in on this great event, if you haven't already. For more info go to WONews.com
August 28, 2010
MOON WANES TROUT SHINE
Trout fishing was pretty slow during the first part of the week as the full moon lit up the lake. By the end of the week as the moon waned the trout fishing improved greatly. A surface bite down to 10 feet is working in the early and late hours of the day. As the sun gets high the fish are holding from 10 to 15 feet down. CD Rapalas up top, and Needlefish or Dick Nite spoons down are putting the fish in the boat. Limits are common with trout from 1 to 3 pounds coming in.
Catfish remain active on the sandy bottom of the lake, for nocturnal anglers using hotdogs, shrimp, mackerel and stinkbaits. Large and small mouth bass are hitting small spinners and jigs fished near docks and rocks. Crappie and bluegill are also chewing on minijigs tipped with mealworms or nuggets.
August 15, 2010
NEW SMALLIE RECORD/FAT CATS PROWL
Gary Kalina aka “Bass Assassin” from Big Bear City established a new Big Bear Lake record for Smallmouth Bass! Gary's 3.12 lbs. bass hit an orange crank bait off the Solar Observatory on 8/12. Gary's wife Pam is the current Largemouth Bass Lake Record holder with a 5.90 fish! What a great angling couple!
Trout fishing remains fair on the lake. Oxygen levels have stabilized from the dam to the West ramp at 26 feet and up. With clarity at 7 feet, the trout are holding in the top 12 to 20 feet. Trolling leadcore at 2.5 to 3 colors with Dick Nite Spoons and Needlefish is working the best. Bait anglers with slip bobbers rigged to the same depth are finding fish on the drift, using PowerBait.
Big Catfish are starting to show. Jeremy Northam from Lake Forest brought in a pair of fish hitting the scales at 24 and 17 lbs. Jeremy caught the fish along the North Shore east of Forest Turn. Both the fish inhaled a hot dog offered up at 1:oo am on 8/9.
