Upper Bear Lake near Bainbridge: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Upper Bear Lake is one of the Geauga County listings for Ohio. It sits at 1,125 feet above sea level. About 2 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. On size it sits at the modest end of our Geauga County list. Bainbridge sits 3.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The big place round here is Akron, 22 miles distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Upper Bear Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Geauga County include rainbow darter, redfin pickerel, bluegill and johnny darter. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Read Upper Bear Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 70°F and January at 24°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. From about late March to around late December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Upper Bear Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Parking is mapped about 110 yards from the bank. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. Pike mean a wire trace, no exceptions; big spoons and jerkbaits do the searching. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Middle Bear Lake, 0.1 miles out. Check the position on Upper Bear Lake before loading the car.