UDWR Bear Lake Report as of 12/5/2006

[BearLakeFishGuy]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][black]The Bonneville whitefish spawning run is in full swing and the fishing for them is red hot! The whitefish have moved into shallow rocky areas off the shoreline on both the east and west sides of the lake and they can be caught either from boat or from shore. The fish are quite aggressive at this time and they will readily hit lures such as small jigs, small spoons and small spinners. Bonneville whitefish are excellent eating (much better than their river dwelling cousins, the mountain whitefish). Pound-for-pound they fight better than trout. Use a light rod with 4-8 lb test line, the lighter the better. If you are fishing from shore, then chest waders or hip boots allow you to walkout a few extra feet from shore to cast out farther. Make sure to fish the lure right along the bottom. If you are in a boat, then anchor in about 8-10 feet of water and either vertical jig under the boat or make short casts and retrieve your lure so it is right on the bottom. Popular lures include 1/8 once jigs with marabou, twister tails or small tubes; any color will work but black and white are favorite colors or most fishermen. Fish with the jig bumping along the bottom. If you don't snag up on rock occasionally, then you either need to slow down your presentation or move to an area with more rocks! Some anglers also like to cast small spoons such a Little Cleos or #1 sized spinners for them from shore. You can "tip" the lure with a piece of night crawler or meal worm, but it really isn't necessary since the fish are hitting more out of aggression rather than feeding at this time of year. The whitefish limit is a liberal, 10 fish so come up to Bear Lake and try your hand at catching one of the endemic sport species! [/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][black]Anglers are also catching cutthroat trout while fishing for whitefish in the shallow rocky areas. The cutthroat trout move in to feed on juvenile whitefish along with whitefish eggs. Also, jigging in 50-60' of water off the east side around Cisco Beach, Rainbow Cove, and the pump house has been producing some cutthroat trout and lake trout. Also, jigging off the rockpile at Ideal Beach in about 35-40 feet of water jigging with tube jigs tipped with cisco has been working for cutthroat trout. Try to locate fish with your sonar and then anchor and fish by vertically jigging. Fish can be found in just about any depth of water at this time of year so work your way from shallow to deep and keep moving until you find some active fish. Also, don't over look trolling shallow waters along Cisco Beach, North and South Edens, and off the Utah State Park Marina. Fishing is typically better early in the mornings. Troll parallel to shore in 8-15 feet of water using flatfish or rapalas on flat lines. Troll with the lure at least 100 feet behind the boat to minimize the impact of scaring the fish with your boat in this shallow water. [/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 2]The lake level is at 5910.34' and continues to rise. Boats can be launched at the Utah State Park Marina, First Point, Cisco Beach, and Rainbow Cove ramps. The hours of the Utah State Park marina are 6:00am to 9:30pm. The gates are locked after 9:30pm.[/size][/black][/font]
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[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for posting your report Scott. I sure wish I could get up there, hopefully in another week. Are these whitefish the bigger of the two types that are in BL? Is there any difference in the taste of the two types of whitefish?
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[fish1on]

Scott,

You are killing me with all these whitefish reports!

CMON Friday! I can't wait to get back up there...
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[HighUintas]

Do you know if they can be caught from shore on the outside of the marina?
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[bodine11]

Scott, hows the ramp condintions? and is there any problem with ice in the marina. I'd like to go thursday.

Bodine
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[reelfast]

How long will it last? I have the boat just need some help getting it in the water. Wife dont like the cold. Will it last through Christmas?
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[cadresults]

Uinta,

I have had my best luck fishing from shore, from the Marina. Many will probably laugh but I use a small jig and bobber. I use just enough length under the bobber to put it close to the bottom.

I also tip my jig with a meal worm or some other small bait. Many people say bait is not needed. However, many trout are also in these spawning areas feeding during the spawn. I caught a 6-7lb cut "Fishing for whitefish"

It is a great to to hit Bear Lake.
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[fish1on]

[black][size 3]jig under a bobber is my go to setup when I get tired of snagging and tying on new stuff. I have caught whites with a worm only setup right on the bottom much like you would fish for cats as well. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]The marina is also my favorite shore fishing spot, I have caught many fish there and I get to see who is headed out in their boats.[][][/size][/black]
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