Big Bear Lake - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

fishingfiend · 04-18-2012, 09:40 AM

I got an opportunity to chill/fish Big Bear Lake Friday - Monday. Of course I'll be bringing my yak with me. However, I've never fished Big Bear lake and I'm in need of tips/pointers/advice on how to catch some of them trout up there!

Any advice from the crew at BWE will be greatly appreciated!

If anyone is planning to yak Big Bear this weekend, hit me up for some budding boating. We have a lakefront house rented in the Boulder Creek area with private dock access. Reports are indicating that the trout are up in the shallows to spawn. Is this like the SandBass spawn in the flats? Does it imply WFO bite if I can find them?

Thanks in advance!

mtnbykr2 · 04-18-2012, 11:00 AM

heard it was a little tough getting the yak in there, maybe check with the
cabin owner so you don't have any surprises when you get there...good luck up there

Yakin · 04-18-2012, 01:33 PM

So you know you need a stamp yo fish big bear lakr its 45 for the whole year or if the sheriff stop you they will kick you out

YakMedic · 04-18-2012, 04:37 PM

You do need to get a boat permit for your kayak to be on the lake. Its $15 a day or $45 for the season as yakin already posted. The lake is ran by the Big Bear Municipal Water District and they do enforce it. I've been kicked off the lake twice, they have private patrols that do check your vessel for the pass.

Otherwise the bite from what I've heard has been great, I know the action was hot on the trout before the last storm rolled in but I haven't heard any news since then. As far as tactics go, its standard trout fishing. Anything shiny works, spinners, kastmasters all work. Troll small Rapalas in 12-20ft of water until you start to find them then work your spinners or mini-jigs.

Have fun but be wary of the boaters and the wind

fishingfiend · 04-18-2012, 06:25 PM

Thanks guys! I didn't know about the permit for yaks. I'll be on the water 4 days, so that's already a year pass. They got me.

I'll throw the standard assortment of light tackle at them. Thanks!

lgdpt · 04-19-2012, 10:14 AM

The marina will be closed (every time I go in the winter it is). You wouldn't be able to get a sticker anyways. Also this time of year you may have to break through ice around the edges of the lake to get out.... It usually melts by mid day. Just go out and enjoy...

Slipbobber with a nightcrawler.

Troll needlefish with leadcore

Powerbait 3 feet off the bottom

04-18-2012, 09:40 AM	#1
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	Big Bear Lake I got an opportunity to chill/fish Big Bear Lake Friday - Monday. Of course I'll be bringing my yak with me. However, I've never fished Big Bear lake and I'm in need of tips/pointers/advice on how to catch some of them trout up there! Any advice from the crew at BWE will be greatly appreciated! If anyone is planning to yak Big Bear this weekend, hit me up for some budding boating. We have a lakefront house rented in the Boulder Creek area with private dock access. Reports are indicating that the trout are up in the shallows to spawn. Is this like the SandBass spawn in the flats? Does it imply WFO bite if I can find them? Thanks in advance!

04-18-2012, 11:00 AM	#2
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	heard it was a little tough getting the yak in there, maybe check with the cabin owner so you don't have any surprises when you get there...good luck up there __________________

04-18-2012, 01:33 PM	#3
Yakin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Bernardino, CA Posts: 913	So you know you need a stamp yo fish big bear lakr its 45 for the whole year or if the sheriff stop you they will kick you out __________________ Remember There are Many Fish in the Sea MEANS MORE TO EAT!!!

04-18-2012, 04:37 PM	#4
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	You do need to get a boat permit for your kayak to be on the lake. Its $15 a day or $45 for the season as yakin already posted. The lake is ran by the Big Bear Municipal Water District and they do enforce it. I've been kicked off the lake twice, they have private patrols that do check your vessel for the pass. Otherwise the bite from what I've heard has been great, I know the action was hot on the trout before the last storm rolled in but I haven't heard any news since then. As far as tactics go, its standard trout fishing. Anything shiny works, spinners, kastmasters all work. Troll small Rapalas in 12-20ft of water until you start to find them then work your spinners or mini-jigs. Have fun but be wary of the boaters and the wind

04-18-2012, 06:25 PM	#5
fishingfiend Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 196	Thanks guys! I didn't know about the permit for yaks. I'll be on the water 4 days, so that's already a year pass. They got me. I'll throw the standard assortment of light tackle at them. Thanks!

04-19-2012, 10:14 AM	#6
lgdpt Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CA Posts: 43	The marina will be closed (every time I go in the winter it is). You wouldn't be able to get a sticker anyways. Also this time of year you may have to break through ice around the edges of the lake to get out.... It usually melts by mid day. Just go out and enjoy... Slipbobber with a nightcrawler. Troll needlefish with leadcore Powerbait 3 feet off the bottom