12-01-2004, 10:10 PM
Bear Lake Fishing Report
[size 3]Updated Wednesday, December 1, 2004[/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The surface water temperature is 40 F and the lake is completely open water, with the exception of the Utah State Park marina which is partially frozen (see update below). There is currently approximately 10" of snow on the ground around the lake.[/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The Bonneville whitefish are now spawning and the fishing is red hot. A limit of 10 fish can be caught in as little as 2 hours' time. With the low water conditions the fishing from shore has been as good as fishing from boats since there is only a few feet of rocks that are in the water along Cisco Beach before the bottom drops off into very deep water. The best luck has come along the Bear Lake State Park marina and off Cisco Beach. Whitefish spawn close to shore along rocky areas in water 3-20 feet deep. Pound-for-pound Bonneville whitefish fight better than trout and they taste excellent when taken from the cold waters of Bear Lake. The Bonneville whitefish also lack the strong intramuscular bones that are present in the mountain whitefish typically found in rivers, which make them easier to fillet and eat. A good choice of lures to use for whitefish are small jigs (1/16-1/8 oz.) fished close to the bottom. Small vertical jigging spoons, such as kastmasters and Swedish pimples have also been very effective. Finally, small spoons and spinners (#1 or #0 in size) have also been working well. Make sure to fish the lures as close to the bottom as possible. Tipping lures with a small piece of worm has produced good results. The fast fishing should continue to through the first couple of weeks of December and peak around Dec 10th or so. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]Fishing for cutthroat and lake trout has been fair. Most anglers are either trolling or jigging in 60-80 feet of water. When trolling, anglers have been using rapalas and spoons. When jigging, anglers have been using tube jigs tipped with cisco meat. Good spots to try at this time of year include the "rockpile", Cisco Beach and 1st and 2nd Points. Keep varying your speed or move to different locations until you find some active fish. A good sonar unit can make a big difference in helping you to locate fish.[/size]
[size 3] [/size][#ff4040]The Bear Lake State Park marina froze earlier this week, even with the deicers running. As of today (Dec 1st) boats cannot be launched here. [/#ff4040]The only place to launch is from the shore around the edge of the lake. There is 10" of snow around the lake and anglers should shore launch at their own risk, since there are many areas with deep drifted snow and other hazards along the lakeshore. [#ff4040]The concrete boat ramp at Cisco Beach was extended two weeks ago, but is currently not useable since there is a sizeable drop off at the edge of the new concrete. This issue is being resolved as quickly as possible, but it still may not be useable by this coming weekend.[/#ff4040]
[signature]
[size 3]Updated Wednesday, December 1, 2004[/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The surface water temperature is 40 F and the lake is completely open water, with the exception of the Utah State Park marina which is partially frozen (see update below). There is currently approximately 10" of snow on the ground around the lake.[/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The Bonneville whitefish are now spawning and the fishing is red hot. A limit of 10 fish can be caught in as little as 2 hours' time. With the low water conditions the fishing from shore has been as good as fishing from boats since there is only a few feet of rocks that are in the water along Cisco Beach before the bottom drops off into very deep water. The best luck has come along the Bear Lake State Park marina and off Cisco Beach. Whitefish spawn close to shore along rocky areas in water 3-20 feet deep. Pound-for-pound Bonneville whitefish fight better than trout and they taste excellent when taken from the cold waters of Bear Lake. The Bonneville whitefish also lack the strong intramuscular bones that are present in the mountain whitefish typically found in rivers, which make them easier to fillet and eat. A good choice of lures to use for whitefish are small jigs (1/16-1/8 oz.) fished close to the bottom. Small vertical jigging spoons, such as kastmasters and Swedish pimples have also been very effective. Finally, small spoons and spinners (#1 or #0 in size) have also been working well. Make sure to fish the lures as close to the bottom as possible. Tipping lures with a small piece of worm has produced good results. The fast fishing should continue to through the first couple of weeks of December and peak around Dec 10th or so. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]Fishing for cutthroat and lake trout has been fair. Most anglers are either trolling or jigging in 60-80 feet of water. When trolling, anglers have been using rapalas and spoons. When jigging, anglers have been using tube jigs tipped with cisco meat. Good spots to try at this time of year include the "rockpile", Cisco Beach and 1st and 2nd Points. Keep varying your speed or move to different locations until you find some active fish. A good sonar unit can make a big difference in helping you to locate fish.[/size]
[size 3] [/size][#ff4040]The Bear Lake State Park marina froze earlier this week, even with the deicers running. As of today (Dec 1st) boats cannot be launched here. [/#ff4040]The only place to launch is from the shore around the edge of the lake. There is 10" of snow around the lake and anglers should shore launch at their own risk, since there are many areas with deep drifted snow and other hazards along the lakeshore. [#ff4040]The concrete boat ramp at Cisco Beach was extended two weeks ago, but is currently not useable since there is a sizeable drop off at the edge of the new concrete. This issue is being resolved as quickly as possible, but it still may not be useable by this coming weekend.[/#ff4040]
[signature]