Bear Lake in Tuolumne County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Bear Lake is a Tuolumne County water, California side. Elevation runs to 7,717 feet. Around 25 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Twain Harte at 22 miles is the nearest place to stop. Modesto is the closest city, 72 miles away. More in the same country: Camp Lake roughly 1.1 miles, Chewing Gum Lake (1.6 miles), Grouse Lake roughly 1.7 miles, Granite Lake (1.8 miles) and Powell Lake roughly 2 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Bear Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Tuolumne County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout, Sacramento sucker, bluegill and brown trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Bear Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 27°F to 58°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That shapes the year on Bear Lake. Fish feed harder before a change in weather than after it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Camp Lake at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Bear Lake before loading the car.