Trollers are scoring a few fish at 2.5 colors of leadcore on nickel and pearl back Needlefish. Bait anglers using PowerBait or nightcrawlers suspended from a slip bobber are also getting a few. Trolling with leadcore line or bait fishing with a slip bobber is the only way to go this time of year. Oxygen levels are still good from 33 feet and up at the dam, 30 feet at Papoose, and 23 feet at the the West ramp and observatory. Water temps dropped a degree from 67 to 66 degrees, trout fishing should improve as the moon wanes and the lake continues to cool due to shorter days and chilly nights. Clarity is at 6 feet so you need to present your bait or lure from 10 to 20 feet below the surface.

Sarah Davidson of Covina landed a nice Big Bear Bow near old Gray\'s Landing just before sunset. The fish hit a ball of orange PowerBait.

Big Bear Lake is a NEW LAKE. Trout fishing is good in the summer months when it was usually slow, and slower during the spring and fall when it is usually good. Large and small mouth bass, crappie and catfish have reestablished themselves after years of decline. What created the NEW LAKE? The Big Bear Municipal Water District is in the middle of a five year plan to eradicate prolific undesirable aquatic vegetation and allow the desirable plants to grow. They have planted crappie, bluegill and smallmouth bass in large numbers. Shocked and removed thousands of tons of carp. Habitat and aquatic zones have been created to support the fishery. The changes are evident and will continue as the lake transitions from the weed choked put and take trout lake that it was to a well balanced NEW LAKE.

Big Bear Marina is the Official Weigh Station on Big Bear Lake! Bring your trophy catches in and be eligible for Berkley Pro Shop prizes! Stop by and have your picture and catch reported to the fishing media throughout Southern California.

Please submit your fish pictures and stories to [email protected].