Big Bear Lake Fishing Report 2024 [Tips, Fishing Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

Big Bear Lake – Summer Fishing update

Hello, fellow anglers! Here’s your summer fishing report for Big Bear!   It’s a doozy, so buckle up…

Water Temperature:

The average water temperature during the summer months can range from the mid-60s to low 70s. 

Water Clarity:

Water clarity can vary, due to recent storms and wind, but reports say it’s been relatively clear with a visibility of 4+ feet.

Trout Fishing 

As with most trout, during the summertime trout prefer the coolest water the lake can provide that is just above the thermocline. And in Big Bear Lake anglers commonly report the thermocline being approximately 30-45 feet deep. 

The easiest way to catch these silvery fish is to troll with a downrigger. 

If you don’t have a downrigger, that’s okay, your lures should be trolled slowly at around 2-3 colors on a lead core line with a light leader. 

Trolling with lures such as small spoons and inline spinners can be effective. 

Now if the lake level is low anglers need to concentrate toward the western 2/3 to 1/2 of the lake when trolling for trout.

Shoreline Anglers

The best locations for shore fishing for trout are typically the deeper water areas around the lake’s perimeter.

The bank fishermen, you have a couple of options to fish for trout…

Option 1)

First option is you can use a slip bobber set at around 12 feet deep. 

The first thing you need to do is thread on 3-4 small bobber stops (yes, I like to use multiple stops because it prevents it from sliding up and down the line inadvertently).   Pull the bobber stops up the line to around twelve feet.

Next, thread on your sliding bobber.  

Next, thread on a small 1/16 oz tungsten bullet weight.

Then, tie on a small swivel onto your main line.  

Then, using 3-5 feet of 4-pound fluorocarbon line, tie one end to the swivel. 

Then, using the free end, tie on a #16 or #18 tiny treble hook. 

Then, its time to make a small-size ball of PowerBait and smoosh it around the treble hook.    

Important: Since you’re fishing below the bobber, make sure you use only enough to cover the hook, otherwise PowerBait will make the hook float up. 

Last, dip the ball of PowerBait into the water. If it sinks you’re in business. 

Option 2) 

Option two is to make a Carolina rig and float the PowerBait off the bottom. 

Using a braided leader line thread on a ¼-ounce tungsten bullet weight and then a swivel. 

Then, tie on 3-5 feet of 4-pound fluorocarbon line to the other end of the swivel. 

Then, tie on a #16 or #18 tiny treble hook.  

Then, make a marble sized ball of PowerBait and smoosh it around the small treble hook. 

Last, gently put the rig in the water to test and make sure your hook floats with the PowerBait around it.  If it floats, you’re in business. 

Bass Fishing:

According to fellow anglers, they suggest using topwater baits early in the morning or late in the evening, as well as fishing with soft plastics or jigs around structure during the day.

When it comes to specific baits, they recommend trying the Strike King KVD Squarebill, Rapala Shad Rap, and Lucky Craft Pointer for reaction-style fishing.

For finesse-style fishing, the Zoom Trick Worm, Roboworm Straight Tail Worm, and Yamamoto Senko are solid choices.

If you’re looking for good locations to catch bass, they suggest trying Boulder Bay, Eagle Point, Metcalf Bay, Stanfield Cutoff, and Grout Bay. These areas are known for their clear water, structure, and depth.