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A male with a fishing jacket holding a large trout while giving a thumbs up and smiling during the Fishin' For $50K event.

Fishing Like A Big Bear Local

Posted: 10/06/26

Whether you're starting out as a fisherman or have years of battling underwater beasts - these local-tips to fishing in Big Bear Lake won't disappoint!

Fishing Etiquette & Sustainable Practices

Don't Leave Your Catch, Give it Away!

Had a very lucky day out on the lake or it's shoreline and don't know what to do with your catch? Well, chances are, others fishing alongside you may be more than happy to be offered a fresh catch.

Only Keep What You'll Eat

While our lake may be large and it's fish plentiful, it's always a good idea to toss back the fish don't need or want.

Not only does catch and release mean less weight in your cooler, it also allows those same fish more time to keep the population steady and healthy.

A fishing line disposal post in Big Bear Lake - the post is on a trail surrounded by trees and includes guide for eating fish

Leave the Shoreline Clean

Ever walk along the lake-side and seen a rogue fishing-line, hooks, bits of snapped rods, or weights washed up on the shore?

If you haven't the wildlife certainly will, and while unfortunate, many animals can get badly injured, choke on, or even die from abandoned tackle.

While some tackle loss is unavoidable, a good fisherman always does their part to take everything they brought back with them when they leave; either for proper disposal at home or at a designated tackle disposal.

Undersized? Toss it Back!

While there is some fish species do not have minimum required legal size for catching; it is often recommended to toss back smaller catches to give them time to become a catch worthy of the record books.

Please note: Some fish like Rainbow Trout are highly sensitive to stress and may not last as long once taken out of the water.

Adhere to the Limits

  • Carp | No size or daily bag limit.
  • Trout | No size limit - daily bag & possession limit of 5.
  • Crayfish | No size or daily bag limit.
  • Bullhead Catfish | no size or daily bag limit.
  • Channel & Blue Catfish | No size limit - daily bag limit of 10.
  • Black Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth) | Minimum size 12" (twelve inches) - daily bag limit of 5.
  • Pan Fish (Bluegill, Sunfish, Crappie, Pumpkinseed) | No size limit - combined bag limit of 25 for all species.
a man holding a freshly caught trout while fishing on a sunny day in Big Bear Lake

How & Where To Store Your Caught Fish

If you're planning on taking a prize catch with you - there's no better way than using a good old fashioned cooler filled with ice.

Fun Fact: Bleeding a fish as soon as possible before storing your fish allows the meat to last longer and prevents it from having a strong fishy taste and odor.

For those competition in a competition; opt to take along an insulated fish bag to keep the fish alive during your trip to the weigh-in.

An overhead view of a cooked Rainbow Trout plated with sauce and vegetables - a wooden table is visible underneath the plate.

Cook Your Catch!

Caught something fresh that you simply can't wait to enjoy?

Now's the time to start the grill or stove at your lodging, setup that campground fire-pit, and get to prepping one of Big Bear's tastiest delicacy.

Bear's Recommendation

  • A simple breaded Catfish deep fried then portioned into sandwiches with a side of coleslaw and a lemon wedge.
  • Grilled Rainbow Trout generously seasoned with a cajun mix of your choice paired with a side of oven baked fries.