Home Articles Camper's Corner On the Road

The Fish are Biting in Big Bear Lake
Rate it! Votes (7) | Comments (1) By Cheri Sicard Photos: Mitch Mandell Posted July 12th, 2008 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California, by John Robinson, (2006, Wilderness Press)	San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, USA -- The fishing is fine in Big Bear Lake, an alpine lake about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. One of a select few California lakes to be planted with trout on a regular basis, Big Bear Lake receives about 150,000 to 200,000 pounds of trout per year from the Department of Fish and Game.

While the fishing is great here year round, spring is exceptional. According to John Cantrell owner of Cantrell's Fishing Guide Services, "If you can't catch fish in Big Bear in spring, you'd best take up golf!"

Cantrell claims the fish practically jump onto your hook in springtime no matter if you fish from the shoreline or from a boat in the middle of the lake.

Perhaps that's true but this writer suspects that is has a lot to do with Cantrell and partner Cliff Fowler's talents as anglers. Several locals I spoke with claimed the pair's abilities to find fish are uncanny. Cantrell concurs that it is a very rare day indeed that their boat, the Less Stress II, returns without a catch.

John and Cliff have a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of fishing and an intimate familiarity with every inch, nook, and cranny of Big Bear Lake and going out with them will definitely give you a more in-depth fishing experience. No matter what time of year, they know the where their prey are likely to be lurking, and how to lure them onto their hooks.

A fishing trip with John and Cliff will not only likely yield results, you'll learn a ton in the process that will help your fishing overall. Along the way you'll be well entertained by this affable duo's jokes and friendly banter. They also have the only guide service in Big Bear that offers a covered boat, a huge benefit on ultra sunny days. The Less Stress II can also be completely enclosed, giving guests the ability to fish while staying inside the heated pontoon boat during the colder days of spring or autumn.

Summertime ConsiderationsOf course staying warm is not a problem in summer when tourists flock to the seven mile long alpine lake, but according to Cantrell and Fowler summer presents the most challenges for anglers. "As the water gets warmer, the fish get lazier," says John, "you're best off fishing early in the morning or late in the evening in summertime, avoid mid day."

Cantrell advises summertime shoreline fishermen to head towards the Big Bear dam where the water temperature remains cooler, otherwise with 23 miles of shoreline, you'll never be at a loss for an easy and scenic place to fish from shore.

From a culinary perspective, the trout in Big Bear Lake are outstanding. A relative of the salmon, wild trout have a sweet delicate flavor and pale pink flesh. "There's absolutely no comparison between this fish and the nondescript white fleshed trout you buy in the supermarket," says Cliff Fowler. After cooking and consuming our catch, we heartily agree.

In addition to the great trout action, Big Bear Lake has both large and small mouth bass, as well as catfish, crappie, pumpkinseed and bluegill.

"This is one of the only places in Southern California where you can enjoy a genuine alpine fishing experience," said Loren Hafen, owner of Holloway's Marina. "Why travel five or six hours to the Sierras when you can get the same quality of trout fishing here in Big Bear Lake?"

Fishermen looking for boat rentals are amply served by Holloway's and four other marinas that offer fishing and pontoon boats. Licenses and tackle can also be purchased at the marinas.

Two public boat launch ramps on the North Shore are set to open from early April through November.

Big Bear Anglers Insider Tips
If you've caught fish but don't feel like cooking (or if your cabin doesn't have a kitchen), no problem! Take your catch over to the Old Country Inn on Big Bear Blvd., where they'll be happy to cook up for you and serve it to the table.

Be sure to tune in to local radio station KBHR (93.3 FM) when in town. Besides being one of the best and most enjoyable local radio stations we've ever encountered (and we here at FabulousTravel.com are road trip junkies who have traversed the country countless times), Cliff Fowler also hosts a regular show that lets listeners know where the biggest fish are biting at any given time.

A great place to buy bait and get some fishing advice is, believe it or not, Big Bear Donuts. Owner Ric Nelson is an avid angler who knows the ins and outs of the lake he fishes nearly every day, so be sure to stop in for some fish tales and tips. Oh, and they make the best donuts in Bear Valley too.

Practicalities
As of this writing in 2007, a fishing license will set you back $12.00 for the day or $37.00 for the season.

Cantrell's Fishing Guide Services usually run from April through October, weather depending. They get the poles ready, set them up with the proper lures, and find the fish for you. You get to reel them in. Whether you've never fished before in your life or are an experienced angler, you're sure to have a great time spending some time on the lake with John Cantrell and Cliff Fowler. You can find John and Cliff at the Pine Knot Landing. For more information or reservations call 909-585-4017 or visit their website at www.bigbearfishing.net.

The Old Country Inn is located at 41126 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, 92315. Phone them at 909-866-5600 or visit their website at www.OldCountryInn.net.

For more information about Big Bear, to book accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, visit the Big Bear Resort Association's website at www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR.

Trout Fishing On Big Bear Lake Written by: Eliot Brown Saturday, 02 August 2008

I just recently marked my 30th year living in Southern California and, as one of my hobbies, always enjoyed salt water fishing. I've always wanted to try fishing in fresh water, but, for whatever feeble excuses, never did it until recently. I finally took the plunge and with the expert guidance of John Cantrell(of Cantrell Guide Service), I experienced what trout fishing is all about on Big Bear Lake(Ca). I was told beforehand that John knows his stuff - as in where every little nook, cranny, and sweet feeding spot there is on the lake. I added my name to the list of believers as evidenced by me reeling in just under a half dozen wild rainbow trout - the largest measuring 17". John and his mate (his son on this day) cleaned the fish for me before we docked and, later, I smoked the trout using applewood chunks - what a great flavor ! I'm well acquainted with the wonderful taste of freshly caught salt water fish and can now say the same for freshly-caught fresh water trout. I'm truly excited looking forward to the next time I'm out on Big Bear Lake with John. A knowledgeable, nice guy with a good sense of humor, spending a morning or afternoon fishing with him is, I confidentally feel, going to be memorable. Eliot Brown Tarzana, Ca

You must be a registered member to leave a comment. So why not sign up now?