Bear Lake Fishing in Larimer County, Colorado

• Overview

  Bear Lake sits within Larimer County in Colorado. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. It covers about 10 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Nearest place of any size is Estes Park, 8 miles away. It is 29 miles to Boulder, the nearest city. Near neighbours include: Nymph Lake lies 0.2 miles on, Dream Lake at 0.6 miles, Lake Haiyaha lies 0.9 miles on, Emerald Lake at 1.1 miles and The Loch lies 1.5 miles on. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Bear Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Records held for Larimer County cover black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, white sucker and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Anyone new to Bear Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 52°F and February near 19°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. The lid tends to go about late May and return around early November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Bear Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Nymph Lake, 0.2 miles away. For Bear Lake in particular, ask before you travel.