07-15-2004, 08:18 PM
Bear Lake Fishing Report
[size 3]Updated Thursday, July 15, 2004 [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The surface water temperature is 66 F. The cutthroat trout run is over for the year and the large, adult cutthroat which haven't eaten for the last month during their spawning season, have started to feed again. The fishing has been good this past week, however there haven't been many fishermen on the "big pond". Don't overlook Bear Lake at this time of year. Yes, there are a lot of jet skiers and water skiers on water in the middle of the day, but there are still 90 square miles of water and most of the popular fishing areas are not used by the recreationists, with the exception of the "rockpile" area due to its location directly in front of the Ideal Beach/Blue Water Beach Resort areas. Fishing for cutthroat trout has been good off the east side anywhere from Val's Pump north to the Idaho State Park. The best luck has been on small spoons (triple teasers, kokanee kings, etc.) trolled at 60-70 feet near the bottom using downriggers. Some other good spots to try are off the South Eden and North Eden canyon mouths. In the early mornings there is usually a canyon breeze which will blow insects (mainly hoppers) out onto the surface of the water. Try using lures that imitate grasshoppers (spoons, rapalas, and F5-F7 flatfish work well) and try trolling them on long lines near the surface. Pay attention to surface for feeding fish and try trolling along areas where you see "lines" of floating debris. Sometimes you can even catch fish by casting right on the surface of the water in the early mornings or late evenings. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The best bet for lake trout at this time of year is by still-fishing whole cisco along the bottom in relatively deep water. Start around 70 feet and work out to 120 until you find active fish. Lake trout are relatively lethargic at this time of year and spend a lot of time sitting on the bottom in the cold water. Since they are not very active you may have to keep moving in order to put your bait right in front of their noses. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]Other typically productive spots at this time of the year are off the mouth of Swan Creek and from the Bear Lake Stat Park marina south to the Azure Cove marina. The entire lake, including the mouths of tributaries are now open to fishing. Anglers launching at the Bear Lake State Park marina have 7 launching lanes, a new vistor's center, a fish cleaning station, and additional bathrooms/showers. Anglers can also launch small boats off the low-water boat ramp at Cisco Beach and a dock is now provided at this site. This ramp is paved, but there is no protection from the wind and the concrete does not extend very far into the water. Use at your own discretion.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]
[size 3]Updated Thursday, July 15, 2004 [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The surface water temperature is 66 F. The cutthroat trout run is over for the year and the large, adult cutthroat which haven't eaten for the last month during their spawning season, have started to feed again. The fishing has been good this past week, however there haven't been many fishermen on the "big pond". Don't overlook Bear Lake at this time of year. Yes, there are a lot of jet skiers and water skiers on water in the middle of the day, but there are still 90 square miles of water and most of the popular fishing areas are not used by the recreationists, with the exception of the "rockpile" area due to its location directly in front of the Ideal Beach/Blue Water Beach Resort areas. Fishing for cutthroat trout has been good off the east side anywhere from Val's Pump north to the Idaho State Park. The best luck has been on small spoons (triple teasers, kokanee kings, etc.) trolled at 60-70 feet near the bottom using downriggers. Some other good spots to try are off the South Eden and North Eden canyon mouths. In the early mornings there is usually a canyon breeze which will blow insects (mainly hoppers) out onto the surface of the water. Try using lures that imitate grasshoppers (spoons, rapalas, and F5-F7 flatfish work well) and try trolling them on long lines near the surface. Pay attention to surface for feeding fish and try trolling along areas where you see "lines" of floating debris. Sometimes you can even catch fish by casting right on the surface of the water in the early mornings or late evenings. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]The best bet for lake trout at this time of year is by still-fishing whole cisco along the bottom in relatively deep water. Start around 70 feet and work out to 120 until you find active fish. Lake trout are relatively lethargic at this time of year and spend a lot of time sitting on the bottom in the cold water. Since they are not very active you may have to keep moving in order to put your bait right in front of their noses. [/size]
[size 3] [/size]
[size 3]Other typically productive spots at this time of the year are off the mouth of Swan Creek and from the Bear Lake Stat Park marina south to the Azure Cove marina. The entire lake, including the mouths of tributaries are now open to fishing. Anglers launching at the Bear Lake State Park marina have 7 launching lanes, a new vistor's center, a fish cleaning station, and additional bathrooms/showers. Anglers can also launch small boats off the low-water boat ramp at Cisco Beach and a dock is now provided at this site. This ramp is paved, but there is no protection from the wind and the concrete does not extend very far into the water. Use at your own discretion.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]