2016 SPRING BEAR LAKE BRATS GATHERING

[Wyo307]

Can someone please explain to me what species you are targeting in bear lake? I live in Wyoming about 2 1/2 hours from Bear Lake and have never fished it. I am considering it but from my google searches everything is just talking about the cisco. I don't see what the big deal is with a 7-9" fish. I do also see that there are some lakers in there but I can get those and bigger ones up here where I live. That only leaves cuts from what I am seeing so how often are you seeing big cuts say 6lb+? Is that all that is in this lake? I just don't see the big appeal so maybe one of you can explain this to me. Thanks

 

[SuperD]

Can someone please explain to me what species you are targeting in bear lake? I live in Wyoming about 2 1/2 hours from Bear Lake and have never fished it. I am considering it but from my google searches everything is just talking about the cisco. I don't see what the big deal is with a 7-9" fish. I do also see that there are some lakers in there but I can get those and bigger ones up here where I live. That only leaves cuts from what I am seeing so how often are you seeing big cuts say 6lb+? Is that all that is in this lake? I just don't see the big appeal so maybe one of you can explain this to me. Thanks

Ryan, big Cutthroat and Lakers.

 

[Wyo307]

How common are the bigger cuts? I don't really see myself driving that far for lakers that I can catch within minutes of the house but I may drive that far for a chance at a 10 pound cut.

 

[AFDan52]

Wyo307 , I have caught a far share of 8-10 lb Cuts at Bear Lake. You can catch these pretty much all year long , the Cisco are only caught in the winter around Late Jan-early Feb. Hope this helps

 

[gonefishing]

Wyo307. We definitely do not go to Bear Lake in the spring for Mack's. It's about the cutt's. If you get their on Friday, I will give you a number to hook up with and we will help you with where and how.

 

[SuperD]

Wyo307. We definitely do not go to Bear Lake in the spring for Mack's. It's about the cutt's. If you get their on Friday, I will give you a number to hook up with and we will help you with where and how.

I was going to say that these gatherings aren't really about the fish at all. 101cheers101

 

[Wyo307]

Thanks for the replys guys. I may end up coming down depending on the weather and what the wife wants to do. If I do come down what type of gear are you guys using to catch the cuts? Just need to make sure that the right stuff is in the boat. I am heading to the Gorge on Saturday so depending on how that goes I may be there next weekend as well instead of coming down to Bear Lake. I looked on my lakemaster chip last night and it looks like there are 4 humps/rock piles in the lake is that where most people concentrate? Sorry for kind of side tracking the thread. I definetely wouldn't mind meeting some of you guys and maybe having a beer or four thumbsup

 

[Bduck]

Spring time is about the cutts as gonefishing stated. Note the regulation on what you can keep when it comes to cutts. Lake trout is also another catch with 12-15lbs commonly caught. Mountain white, cisco, yea even carp. Bear L is a good location for those of us that travel not only as a drive for a day but a gathering for some to meet up, from Ogden its 2hrs, same with some from Idaho or even more. 101rave101 Some will find the time to spend a couple of days extending their stay. We do this twice a year, spring & fall. In the fall its little harder for those to meet with the hunting season but it goes on still for those of us that have hung up our guns. These times of the year have no pressure on the lake with small exception of limited few fishermen. These pics are of cutts, the first one is a nice fatty I caught last December weighing at 10lbs. thumbsup Next is Dallas who was with me with a catch. whistlersmother Note the color of the water in next pic with the cutt having same color variation. Last is Dan thinking about lunch. 101eatdrink101

 

[Wyo307]

Those are some nice cuts! I will have to check with the wife and see if she would want to come down. I have caught more 10-15lb lakers than I can count so that doesn't really excite me very much but I have never caught a cut over 7 pounds. I don't have down riggers on my boat at the moment would that be an issue? I can always use dipsys to get down a ways but how deep are they hanging typically? That frog colored flat fish has been a good lure for years up here where I live. Kind of made my laugh that that is what you caught that fish on. I have one whole box full of just those.

 

[smokepoles]

There are lots of options that'll get fish at BL beside downriggers, especially this time of year when the water is cold top to bottom and the sculpin should be in shallow to spawn. I'm thinking of coming and fly fishing with streamers early and them maybe do some jigging or long lining. Pic is of grandson lost December from shore. He outfishes me as well from there as from a boat golucky

 

[Bduck]

Ice off occurred near 2wks ago now. Storms have hampered my travels lately over the mountain to get into Bear L from my end for some pre-fishing prior to gathering. Weather is starting to shape up now but still pending. The frog pattern is a fall favorite but will also work this time of year. There are other colors & patterns that work too this time of year. The water is still cold and you shouldn't have to go very deep. The dipsy diver should do the job for you. There are a few of us that will be more than happy to get you in the right areas. We start gathering for the potluck at Garden City state park about 3pm same place we launch from. By 2pm I'll be coming off the lake securing my boat for travel and getting setup for some chow at the north end of park at the pavilion located near some restrooms.

 

[Wyo307]

Thank you everyone for the help I will try to convince my wife to go or at least let me go by myself. I am itching to use the new boat anyways so this is as good of an excuse as any. Has anyone ever targeted the sculpin to use for bait? We have brook stickleback in our streams that we routinely get to use as bait for lakers and they are similar to the bear lake sculpin. Just curious. Also are there any special regulations for bear lake that I should know about before I head down there?

 

[Bduck]

Utah requires you to fill out AIS questionnaire at the launch site daily or you can take their on line test that's good for a year, one copy goes on the dash of your launch vehicle & a copy in your boat. There is no fee involved for this. I know its seems like a pain but no more for me doing for other states, especially going thru an inspection crossing borders. Utah DNR personnel may approach you at launch site to follow up with questions to determine if inspection needs to be done or they may not but they do check if AIS is displayed or will cite if not. Idaho requires a decal($$$) like Wyoming on boats. Most who fish Bear L stay on the Utah side. A non-resident license or 3 or 7day permit is required which you can use on Idaho side & visa versa. Native cutthroats must be released. Cutts with clipped fins are keepers with limit of 2. If you have a vhf radio we will be on ch69.

http://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2016_pdfs/2016_fishing_low.pdf
Pg 8 Fishing licenses
Pg 24 Fishing specific waters

 

[mtncat1]

no live bait use in utah sorry

 

[mtncat1]

There are lots of options that'll get fish at BL beside downriggers, especially this time of year when the water is cold top to bottom and the sculpin should be in shallow to spawn. I'm thinking of coming and fly fishing with streamers early and them maybe do some jigging or long lining. Pic is of grandson lost December from shore. He outfishes me as well from there as from a boat golucky
View attachment 8470

that's one happy kid smoke thanks for sharing

 

[Bduck]

Reports are coming in from the Bear, the cutts are playing. One report indicates other boaters getting their catches. AFDan is on the water this week and awaiting his reports.

 

[Bduck]

Heard from AFDan today. High winds of 20-30mph hampered his day of getting on the water. He also informed me of all docks & slips have been removed with new replacements awaiting install. However, courtesy launch docks still in place. On the east side first point not launch able yet. Courtesy dock is in at Rainbow with some damage to dock from winter. No other courtesy docks have been placed in at other launch sites. Saturday is still a go. See you at Bear. signfishinsignfishin

 

[AFDan52]

Well , today has to be one of my best days on Bear Lake . Pam and I got on the water around 12:00 pm , we launched on the East Side. I went to Rainbow Cove , but the dock had been pulled from the water. I talked to a DWR officer and he told me that he had pulled it out of the water to repair it and as of now it is back in the water . But we ended up launching at the South End of Cisco Beach, not a great choice but doable. We fished in 60 feet of water at 1.5 - 1.8 mph , we caught 6 fish all Cutthroats ranging from 2lbs to 5 lbs. and all were released to fight another day. The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a great day fishing with just a hint of wind. Also met up with Gonefishing and Saltrunner this afternoon , looking forward to Saturday.

 

[liketrolling]

I'm on the way up should be their about 4:30 tonight. Hope I don't get lost. it will be my first time at BL.
look for a tracker boat and a red GMC Truck
I'm coming alone I ask 3 guys to go but all backed out
I think I will sleep in my Truck.
If some one wants to fish in my boat they can
Robert

 

[AFDan52]

liketrolling, we have tow rigs parked at the Marina both 5th wheels. They are Gonefishing and Saltrunner, you will see their rigs as you pull into the marina.