Chris Perez an avid lake angler from Sugarloaf brought in a New Lake Record Channel Catfish on 6-19. The fish was weighed and certified at the Big Bear Lake Official Weigh Station. The catfish weighed a hefty 27.03 lbs. Chris caught the big whisker fish on the east end of the lake using a night crawler. Catfish have not been planted in the lake for quite sometime, so this "native" fish has been plying the waters of Big Bear Lake for a long time. Chris is now eligible for gift certificates and fishing products from Eagle Claw and Big Bear Marina.

Surface water temperatures continued to rise this past week, making it a little tougher on trout anglers to find the bows. Temperatures are now in the mid 60's and an abrupt oxycline has developed at 30 ft. Bait anglers targeting the rainbows should use a slip bobber rigged at 15 to 30 feet. Baited with Nitro dough and night crawlers for good results. Trollers using leadcore are going down to 3 and 4 colors to find the fish biting on cooper finished Needlefish. Surface action has improved when the wind is up, try CD Rapalss in rainbow and silver 80 to 100 feet behind the boat for the best action. It is time to start working the west end of the lake from Windy Pt. to Boulder Bay as the trout have setup summer residence in that area.

If you are "trouted-out" at this time, try going after the Summertime species of panfish, bass and catfish. Lake Records have not been established for Crappie, Bluegill, or Small and Largemouth Bass. Jigs, spinners, rattle cranks, plastics or a good old night crawler will work on these fish, and you too could have a Lake Record.

Big Bear Marina is proud to announce that we are the first OFFICIAL WEIGH STATION on Big Bear Lake. New LAKE RECORDS will be established! Bring your BIG FISH and QUALITY LIMITS to the marina for weigh-in and be eligible for monthly prizes.

BIG BEAR LAKE FISHING EVENTS 2008

OCTOBER TROUTFEST**OCTOBER 4 & 5----Western Outdoor News 949-366-0030