Bear River Noob

[stocktondunkley]

I’ve got a little experience fishing the Bear. Couple things I have noticed. As for bait I would use worms for both catfish and carp, and carp chunks for catfish. Early spring is good fishing, however, the sloughs (areas of still water that are filled by the river) are by far the best. The warmer water temps invite a lot of fish (cats, carp, bass, and walleye) to come on in. Come the end of May, they get too warm for everything but carp. Summer months are best fished in wide, slow moving portions of the river. When you fish a slough, I tie my hook directly to the line and leave my bail open. Fish have a tendency to drop whatever they were eating if they feel tension. In the river, a big bank sinker (1-2oz) with about two feet of leader is what I recommend. And for bait, don’t be afraid to use a solid chunk of carp, the catfish are not shy.

Good Luck!.