August is often referred to as the "Dog Days of Summer" with a warmer sun and water, long days and few fish. This summer is best described as "unusual, strange and abnormal" for anglers from the ocean to the lakes and rivers for either the abundance of or lack of fish. In Big Bear Lake it was "unusual" this past week. Normally August is a tough month on the lake. It is now shaping up as one of the best August's in recent memory.

"The north shore remains the place to be for shoreline angling, from east of the dam to North Shore Landing," said Steve Raphael, manager of Big Bear Sporting Goods.

Slip Bobbers are needed when fishing on the boulders east of the dam. Farther east a Carolina Rig is best to suspend your dough bait 18 to 24 inches off the bottom.

Trolling for trout has been exceptional according to Curt Dills of Fish Big Bear Charter. From Gilner Point to the dam limits are being caught from the surface to 12 feet down. The Wo family from San Diego limited out on their first ever fishing trip. he trout came to net on Pearl Bikini and Fire Pearl Needlefish. Brian and Alan Kohl from Napa also saw limits come from Needlefish and they both caught 4 pound trout on Rapala Husky Jerks in gold and black. Alan got the bigger of the two at a hefty 4.22 lbs., and Brian's was a near twin at 4.16 lbs.

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