Fishing on Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California's premier freshwater fishing destinations, regularly stocked with rainbow trout and home to healthy populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, blue catfish, bluegill, crappie, and common carp. The lake's 7-mile stretch and 23 miles of shoreline provide ample room for both boat and shore fishing.

Spring and fall are peak seasons for trout fishing, when cooler water temperatures bring fish closer to the surface. Summer is prime time for bass fishing, especially early morning and late evening near rocky points and submerged structures. Shore fishing is productive from several public access points, and boat rentals — pontoons, fishing boats, and kayaks — are available at Holloway's Marina, Pleasure Point Marina, Big Bear Marina, and Captain John's Fawn Harbor & Marina. Boat rentals generally run $40–$150 per hour depending on the craft.

For local expertise, guided fishing trips are available through operators like Fish Big Bear — a 2-hour pontoon trip for up to 6 people runs $370, and a 3-hour trip is $480 (plus a $15-per-angler BBMWD fish restocking fee). A California fishing license is required for anyone 16+ and can be purchased online at dfg.ca.gov or at Holloway's Marina before your trip. Note that no live bait is permitted, and as of 2026 all vessels must pass a mandatory Quagga Mussel Inspection at a BBMWD station before launching. The annual Fishin' for 50k Trout Derby in June draws anglers from across the region — five tagged fish are released, each worth $10,000.