Brook Trout fishing at Bear Lake

Spring brook trout on Bear Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 3 to 20 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated good for spring brook trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.

Lake Trout fishing at Bear Lake

In spring, lake trout run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 50 to 120 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 80 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 123 ft, rated prime for summer lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.

Lake Whitefish fishing at Bear Lake

Spring lake whitefish on Bear Lake hold shallow, usually 15 to 45 ft. By summer they slide out to 40 to 90 ft, and by winter most fish are in 25 to 70 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 65 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon covers the summer program.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Bear Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Bear Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 40 to 80 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 65 ft of water that rates good for cisco (lake herring) in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Bear Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 36 ft, rated good for summer smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Bear Lake

Spring rock bass on Bear Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 36 ft, rated good for summer rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

How deep is Bear Lake?

Bear Lake is about 145 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Bear Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, lake trout, brook trout, lake whitefish, rock bass, cisco (lake herring) on Bear Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Bear Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 123 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Bear Lake?

For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.