Bear Lake fishing
Bear Lake was last stocked on May 5, 2026 with 36,557 cutthroat trout (7.7 in. average), according to the Utah DWR fish stocking report. It is a lake in Rich County, Utah, listed by DWR as a Blue Ribbon Fishery. From 2021 to 2026, DWR stocked 764,336 fish here, the most of 8 stocked waters in Rich County.
Recent stockings at Bear Lake
- May 5, 202636,557 cutthroat trout, 7.7 in. average
- May 4, 202637,351 cutthroat trout, 7.7 in. average
- April 28, 20268,926 cutthroat trout, 7.8 in. average
- Nov. 12, 202521,189 lake trout, 5.6 in. average
- June 24, 202548,456 cutthroat trout, 8.6 in. average
- June 23, 202538,432 cutthroat trout, 8.6 in. average
Newest first, from the Utah DWR stocking report. Full stocking history.
Bear Lake facts
- Last stocked
- May 5, 2026 (189 days ago): 36,557 cutthroat trout
- Stockings in 2026
- 6 (82,834 fish): 82,834 cutthroat trout
- County
- Rich County
- DWR program
- Blue Ribbon Fishery
- Stocked since 2021
- cutthroat trout and lake trout
- Likely catch (DWR)
- bonneville whitefish, cutthroat trout and lake trout
- Average size stocked
- 7.0 in. (2021 to 2026)
- County rank
- Most fish of 8 stocked waters in Rich County since 2021
- Name in DWR report
- BEAR L
- Nearest water
- Garden City Pond, 5.3 mi
- Rules
- Water-specific rules in the 2026 guidebook
Latest fishing report
Fishing has been getting better for about a week and should keep improving into fall, with lake trout and cutthroat trout both very good; September is among the top months for big lake trout. The surface water was 65 degrees on Sept. 9. Anglers are taking fish by trolling and jigging, with the rockpile close to Ideal Beach and the stretch from Utah State Park Marina north to Fish Haven named as the best spots. For trolling, DWR suggests flatfish, flasher-and-squid combinations or jointed Rapalas at depths of 65 to 100 feet; begin around the 65-foot mark and keep dropping deeper until you hit active fish. As the water cools, lake trout move toward shore to spawn, so shore fishing and shallow trolling and jigging should get better.
The lake level has fallen roughly 4 feet this year. The Rainbow Cove and Cisco Beach ramps are open, but DWR recommends four-wheel drive for launching because of the low lake level. The limit on trout is two fish, and DWR says the fin clip rule for cutthroat trout no longer applies, so any cutthroat can be kept within that limit.
Our summary of the Utah DWR fishing report dated Sept. 17, 2026, in our own words. Read the original on DWR Fish Utah.
Bear Lake stocking report, last 12 months
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 4,326 | 7.4 in. |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 13,335 | 7.8 in. |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 18,896 | 7.8 in. |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 17,873 | 7.8 in. |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 19,478 | 7.6 in. |
| April 28, 2026 | Cutthroat trout | 8,926 | 7.8 in. |
| Nov. 12, 2025 | Lake trout | 21,189 | 5.6 in. |
Source: Utah DWR fish stocking report. Stocking data fetched Nov. 10, 2026; newest record dated Nov. 19, 2026. DWR posts stockings after they happen and does not publish schedules.
Bear Lake stocking profile
- First record in the DWR report: April 16, 2002. Since then DWR has logged 474 stockings here in 25 different years, 4,857,444 fish in all.
- Species stocked 2021 to 2026, by share of fish: cutthroat trout 86% (655,536 fish) and lake trout 14% (108,800 fish).
- Busiest months in the record: April (62% of records) and May (27% of records).
- Stocked fish averaged 7.0 in. from 2021 to 2026 (per-record averages ranged from 4.9 to 8.7 in.). The yearly average was 6.5 in. in 2021 and 7.9 in. in 2025.
- Fish stocked 2021 to 2026: 764,336, the most of 8 stocked waters in Rich County and 13th of 1,076 statewide.
- Nearest other water with a page: Garden City Pond, 5.3 mi away.
- Other water with this name: Bear Lake (G-7) in Summit County, 92.9 mi away. DWR lists them as separate waters (DWR water ids IV405 and II535).
Computed from Utah DWR stocking records (fish counts and average lengths as DWR reports them). Past stocking is history, not a schedule.
When is Bear Lake stocked?
Based on DWR stocking records, 2021 to 2025. Stocked in 5 of those 5 years.
2025 stocking: 7 records, first on May 21, last on Nov. 12.
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. This is past stocking, not a promise. How we read patterns.
Bear Lake stocking history by year
| Year | Records | Fish | Avg. length | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 82,834 | 7.7 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2025 | 7 | 115,215 | 7.9 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2024 | 3 | 122,287 | 6.9 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2023 | 3 | 112,058 | 6.6 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2022 | 4 | 126,427 | 6.7 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2021 | 7 | 205,515 | 6.5 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2020 | 9 | 219,157 | 6.9 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2019 | 7 | 206,039 | 6.8 in. | Lake trout, Cutthroat trout |
| 2018 | 10 | 198,519 | 6.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2017 | 9 | 199,214 | 6.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2016 | 9 | 220,239 | 7.0 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2015 | 35 | 256,499 | 6.3 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2014 | 11 | 212,026 | 7.0 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2013 | 10 | 139,462 | 8.4 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2012 | 12 | 252,359 | 6.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2011 | 10 | 177,349 | 6.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2010 | 29 | 356,963 | 6.2 in. | Cutthroat trout, Rainbow trout |
| 2009 | 32 | 224,995 | 6.9 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2008 | 34 | 171,303 | 7.5 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2007 | 40 | 267,165 | 6.1 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2006 | 41 | 206,821 | 7.3 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2005 | 35 | 215,966 | 6.2 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2004 | 40 | 180,519 | 7.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2003 | 39 | 190,085 | 7.7 in. | Cutthroat trout |
| 2002 | 32 | 198,428 | 6.8 in. | Cutthroat trout |
All stocking records 2021 to Nov. 10, 2025 (23)
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 27,409 | 8.5 in. |
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 6,882 | 8.7 in. |
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 14,165 | 8.6 in. |
| June 23, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 24,980 | 8.6 in. |
| June 23, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 13,452 | 8.5 in. |
| May 21, 2025 | Cutthroat trout | 7,138 | 7.2 in. |
| Nov. 13, 2024 | Lake trout | 15,187 | 5.5 in. |
| May 1, 2024 | Cutthroat trout | 5,716 | 7.1 in. |
| April 30, 2024 | Cutthroat trout | 101,384 | 7.1 in. |
| Nov. 21, 2023 | Lake trout | 17,058 | 5.7 in. |
| May 9, 2023 | Cutthroat trout | 50,825 | 6.8 in. |
| May 8, 2023 | Cutthroat trout | 44,175 | 6.8 in. |
| Nov. 14, 2022 | Lake trout | 19,263 | 6.0 in. |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat trout | 28,014 | 6.8 in. |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat trout | 23,490 | 7.1 in. |
| May 9, 2022 | Cutthroat trout | 55,660 | 6.8 in. |
| Nov. 15, 2021 | Lake trout | 36,103 | 4.9 in. |
| May 12, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 28,213 | 6.8 in. |
| May 12, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 6,764 | 6.8 in. |
| May 11, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 12,460 | 6.8 in. |
| May 11, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 56,115 | 6.8 in. |
| May 10, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 12,460 | 6.8 in. |
| May 10, 2021 | Cutthroat trout | 53,400 | 6.8 in. |
Fishing rules
- Trout limit: 2.
- Bonneville cisco that get snagged during normal, legal fishing may be kept.
- Bonneville cisco may be taken with a handheld dipnet whose opening is no more than 18 inches in any dimension; when dipnetting through the ice, hole size is not limited.
- Ice fishing for anything other than cisco: hole no wider than 18 inches.
- A valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license is good on both the Utah and Idaho sides of the lake (license details on p. 8).
- Up to two poles are allowed on all open parts of the Utah side; using more than one pole on the Idaho side follows Idaho rules.
- No multipoint hook with a weight fixed directly to its shank, or with a weight hanging below it, unless the hook sits on an unweighted dropper line at least three inches long.
From the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook, in our own words. Rules can change mid-year: check wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks before fishing. See statewide limits.
Access and facilities
- Other activities
- Cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, OHV or 4WD trails, Swimming, Waterskiing, Wildlife watching
- Boating
- Hand launch, Boat ramp, Fuel, Pump-out
- Facilities
- Restrooms, Covered picnic area, Drinking water, Fire rings, Showers, Electrical hookups
- Camping
- Primitive tent camping, RV camping, Camp host
- Accessible
- Restrooms, Showers, Trails/shoreline paths
Facility list from DWR Fish Utah. Check with the land manager before you go; facilities close seasonally.
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"Often stocked around now" heads-ups come from past records only, never a promise. We use your email only for these alerts. Privacy.
Bear Lake questions
When is Bear Lake stocked?
DWR does not publish stocking schedules. Past records show Bear Lake was stocked in early May (4 of the last 5 years) and mid November (4 of the last 5 years). The most recent stocking in the DWR report is dated May 5, 2026.
What fish are in Bear Lake?
DWR lists bonneville whitefish, cutthroat trout and lake trout as likely catches and bear lake whitefish and bonneville cisco as possible. Since 2021 DWR has stocked cutthroat trout and lake trout.
Are there special fishing rules at Bear Lake?
Yes. The 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook lists rules for this water, summarized on this page. Check the guidebook and DWR updates before fishing.
Stocking: Utah DWR fish stocking report, fetched Nov. 10, 2026. Size, program, species and facilities: DWR Fish Utah. Location: Utah DWR, USGS NHD. Rules: 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook. Page built Nov. 10, 2026. Found an error? Tell us. Verify rules with DWR before fishing.