Big Mike's 'Reel' Fishin'

The mission of the District is to stabilize the level of Big Bear Lake for recreation and wildlife

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July 7, 2014

The objective of our fishing report is to provide our lake users with up-to-date information and to help our anglers on what's working where and when. It is important for everyone to remember that fish have minds of their own and everyday is not going to be the same as the last, but being flexible is vital to consistently catching not just consistently fishing. It is also important to remember that the person providing this information is a fisherman himself and sizes and weights vary slightly from the truth depending on how many times the story has been told.

We have seen trout fishing come and go for the last three months; some days are good and some not so much. However it is not for the lack of trying. We have put quite a few loads of trout from District stockings and DFW has shown, on occasion, to give us a few more. Still the baiters on the shore are catching in early morning and late evenings with dough baits and troller's are toughing it out with the usual; I think Rapalas are leading the way but followed by a close second is the needle fish. Of course lead core is on the tap to find the sweet spot. Keep an eye on the limno because soon it will matter.

The water has been giving me fits with some algae showing and then it starts to clear and the wind blows hard for a few days and here we go again with tough clarity. I see the satisfaction starting again so let’s hope the weather stays down enough to let this baby layer so we can leave the nutrients down on the bottom for a while. This will help with water clarity and give the lake a moment to be normal for a bit. Not a normal year!

Bass are pounding the plastics and with some nice size fish showing up. Hold on to them just long enough for a picture and back in for another day. It is not uncommon to see a couple holes in the mouths of the big ones.

Crappie have vanished as they do this time of the year. I have seen some guys find them suspended and put a hurt on them but it is tough to find the bat cave they are hiding in.

Bluegill fishing is on the rise in Big Bear (maybe cuz we’ve stocked a MILLION of them) and are doing what they should which is bite a worm on a hook. Seeing good numbers on stringers fishing on docks and rocks and around the weed beds is the ticket.

The Carp Round-Up was epic with 123 of the nicest carp killers one could ask for. We had a great time and gave out half of Bass Pro shop, who I might add was our super sponsor this year. Every kid under 16 went home with a dyno prize and most everyone else left with something besides the smell of carp on their shoes.

Big Mike’s ‘Reel’ Fishin’

Historical Fishing Reports

August 1, 2013
May 9, 2013

FISHING TIP OF THE WEEK

BIG MIKE’S LIMNO 101 click here!

When bluegill fishing, it’s best to use two to four-pound-test line in most situations. Bluegills have incredible eyesight and can see fishing line. You'll get far more bites on small diameter line. But a big bluegill will break your line if you lift him out of the water. The best thing to do is to net the big bluegill instead. It's no fun when a trophy bluegill gets away.

Dean Linne caught the biggest fish of the weekend 11.77lbs.