11-13-2003, 10:06 PM
UDWR BEAR LAKE FISHING REPORT 11/13/2003
Spectacular! That about sums up the fishing report for lake trout this past week on Bear Lake. The fishing pressure hasn’t been extremely high, but the fishermen who braved the cold have been tearing it up. One group of fishermen reported boating over 30 fish one day last weekend alone. Even with catch and release fishing which many anglers practice, there is going to be some mortality, so if a fish has been overplayed or is hooked deeply, it may be wise to consider keeping the fish for eating rather than just letting it die and letting seagulls eat it. Remember the trout limit on Bear Lake is only two trout, any combination (cutthroat trout or lake trout). By far the most popular and one of the best spots to fish have been on the “rockpile”. Fishermen are jigging with ½ to 3/4 ounce tube jigs tipped with cisco meat in 30-35 feet of water right on the bottom. Some nice cutthroat are also being taken using this same method. The lake trout run should just about be over with and both lake trout and cutthroat trout should begin to feed heavily on cisco and whitefish and become more spread out in the lake
Trolling off the Utah State Park marina and off Cisco Beach has also been producing some nice fish. Downriggers set just off the bottom with flatfish or rapalas are the lures of choice. Try trolling parallel to shore where the water drops off from 20 feet to about 100. Be careful using downriggers along this area since the cannonballs can easily snag in the rocks and cause you to lose your whole set up. Other options include using leadcore line or monofilament with a rubber core sinker about 5-6 feet in front of the lure instead of downriggers. Again, flatfish in the U-20 and larger sizes and rapalas in the #13 size are the best producers.
Casting from shore at the State Park marina has slowed down for lake trout, but the cutthroat trout fishing should begin to improve. Try #4 and #5 spinners, spoons, or even crankbaits. Whitefish and cutthroat trout will tend to come in along areas where lake trout spawned to feed on eggs. Also, the Bonneville whitefish should begin spawning during the last week of November and the fishing for them should be good until mid-December. This is an excellent opportunity to fish for a unique whitefish found only in Bear Lake. Pound for pound these whitefish fight better than trout and can run anywhere from about 1-3 pounds. They are excellent eating and don’t have the heavily developed intermuscular bones that their cousins that live in the rivers (the mountain whitefish) do. They are easily caught by casting 1/16 to 1/8 ounce jigs along rocky shoreline areas. Also, the cutthroat trout and lakers will move in with these whitefish to feed on them and their eggs, so you have a good chance at catching a nice trout to go along with the whitefish.
All sizes of boats can be launched from the Utah State Park marina, and as of November 13, Utah Power has begun letting in water from the Mud Lake/Bear River at the north end of the lake so the lake will slowly begin to rise. The weather has melted much of the snow in the valley and the boat ramps are clear, but at this time of the year one mountain storm can put down a foot of snow in just a few hours. Be advised that the Utah State Park will not be plowing the boat ramp at the marina since it is too steep for the plow. You may consider bringing some rock salt or sand just in case you cannot get your truck and boat back up a snowy or icy ramp. Smaller boats may be launched off the shore at several points around the lake, however, a 4-wheeled drive vehicle is recommended and drivers should be aware of deep snow and some soft sand. The new “low water only” concrete launching ramp along South Cisco Beach has been a good spot to launch smaller boats in that area. The concrete only goes to the water’s edge right now, but it will make launching boats a lot easier on the east side of the lake during low water conditions since both the Rainbow Cove and First Point Ramps are currently dewatered. Fishing at this time of the year on Bear Lake can be ret hot on the right days and we encourage you to enjoy it, but first of all make sure you have a boat and motor that can handle some rough water, make sure you’re properly dressed for rapidly changing weather conditions and use common sense when venturing away from the boat ramp.
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Spectacular! That about sums up the fishing report for lake trout this past week on Bear Lake. The fishing pressure hasn’t been extremely high, but the fishermen who braved the cold have been tearing it up. One group of fishermen reported boating over 30 fish one day last weekend alone. Even with catch and release fishing which many anglers practice, there is going to be some mortality, so if a fish has been overplayed or is hooked deeply, it may be wise to consider keeping the fish for eating rather than just letting it die and letting seagulls eat it. Remember the trout limit on Bear Lake is only two trout, any combination (cutthroat trout or lake trout). By far the most popular and one of the best spots to fish have been on the “rockpile”. Fishermen are jigging with ½ to 3/4 ounce tube jigs tipped with cisco meat in 30-35 feet of water right on the bottom. Some nice cutthroat are also being taken using this same method. The lake trout run should just about be over with and both lake trout and cutthroat trout should begin to feed heavily on cisco and whitefish and become more spread out in the lake
Trolling off the Utah State Park marina and off Cisco Beach has also been producing some nice fish. Downriggers set just off the bottom with flatfish or rapalas are the lures of choice. Try trolling parallel to shore where the water drops off from 20 feet to about 100. Be careful using downriggers along this area since the cannonballs can easily snag in the rocks and cause you to lose your whole set up. Other options include using leadcore line or monofilament with a rubber core sinker about 5-6 feet in front of the lure instead of downriggers. Again, flatfish in the U-20 and larger sizes and rapalas in the #13 size are the best producers.
Casting from shore at the State Park marina has slowed down for lake trout, but the cutthroat trout fishing should begin to improve. Try #4 and #5 spinners, spoons, or even crankbaits. Whitefish and cutthroat trout will tend to come in along areas where lake trout spawned to feed on eggs. Also, the Bonneville whitefish should begin spawning during the last week of November and the fishing for them should be good until mid-December. This is an excellent opportunity to fish for a unique whitefish found only in Bear Lake. Pound for pound these whitefish fight better than trout and can run anywhere from about 1-3 pounds. They are excellent eating and don’t have the heavily developed intermuscular bones that their cousins that live in the rivers (the mountain whitefish) do. They are easily caught by casting 1/16 to 1/8 ounce jigs along rocky shoreline areas. Also, the cutthroat trout and lakers will move in with these whitefish to feed on them and their eggs, so you have a good chance at catching a nice trout to go along with the whitefish.
All sizes of boats can be launched from the Utah State Park marina, and as of November 13, Utah Power has begun letting in water from the Mud Lake/Bear River at the north end of the lake so the lake will slowly begin to rise. The weather has melted much of the snow in the valley and the boat ramps are clear, but at this time of the year one mountain storm can put down a foot of snow in just a few hours. Be advised that the Utah State Park will not be plowing the boat ramp at the marina since it is too steep for the plow. You may consider bringing some rock salt or sand just in case you cannot get your truck and boat back up a snowy or icy ramp. Smaller boats may be launched off the shore at several points around the lake, however, a 4-wheeled drive vehicle is recommended and drivers should be aware of deep snow and some soft sand. The new “low water only” concrete launching ramp along South Cisco Beach has been a good spot to launch smaller boats in that area. The concrete only goes to the water’s edge right now, but it will make launching boats a lot easier on the east side of the lake during low water conditions since both the Rainbow Cove and First Point Ramps are currently dewatered. Fishing at this time of the year on Bear Lake can be ret hot on the right days and we encourage you to enjoy it, but first of all make sure you have a boat and motor that can handle some rough water, make sure you’re properly dressed for rapidly changing weather conditions and use common sense when venturing away from the boat ramp.
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