Big Bear Lake is the place to be during the month of May in Southern California. Trout fishing is excellent, bucket mouth bass are busy and the smallies are heading to spawn. The DFW stocked the lake the past two weeks. With the addition of the fresh trout, the holdovers have come alive. While the stockers are in the ten to twelve inch class, the holdovers are running from two to three pounds of hard fighting bows. The May Trout Classic (May 17-18) will add even more large trout to the lake.


Big Bear Charter Fishing Guide Matt Keller has been working trout alley and the mouth of Boulder Bay this past week with great results. CD Rapalas, in brook trout and gold fluorescent red, along with X-Rap Rapalas in the rainbow trout finish, have landed limits when trolled on leadcore or off a down rigger at ten to twenty feet. "Old School" flashers and crawlers, trolled at the same depth, are also putting fish on the stringer.


Largemouth Bass are very active pre-spawn, holding off points in fifteen feet of water. Best baits are drop shotted Robo Worms and skirted crayfish jigs. The bass are also showing along docks all over the lake. Smallmouth bass have moved on and off beds due to chilly weather, but are now setting up in the back of bays for spawning. Crappie and bluegill remain sluggish, but should come on strong as the weather continues to improve.


Upcoming Fishing Events in Big Bear Lake

May 17: Aaron's Bass Tournament Championship Series Info: 800-475-3166
May 17 & 18:Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic Info: 909-585-4007
June 7 & 8:Fishin' for $50K Info: 800-424-4232


Big Bear Lake Marinas

Big Bear Marina, 500 Paine Ct.: 909-866-3218
Captain John's Marina, 39369 North Shore Dr. (Hwy. 38)
Holloway's Marina & RV Park, 398 Edgemoor Road: 909-866-5706
Pine Knot Marina, 439 Pine Knot Ave.: 909-866-7766
Pleasure Point Marina, 603 Landlock Landing Road: 909-866-8455
North Shore Landing, 38573 Northshore Drive: 909-878-4386