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Bear Lake

Bear Lake Map

Description:

For the latest Bear Lake fishing report, click here.

Current Conditions:

Last checked for updates: 1/28/2015

Day-Use: 
Open
Surface: 
Open
Launch Ramp: 
Open
Campground: 
Partially Open
High Temp: 
Mid to high 30's
Low Temp: 
Mid to high 20's
Water Temp: 
33.8 degrees as measured in the Bear Lake Marina
Water Level: 
5912.65'
Fishing Conditions: 
Ice Thickness: 
0" - Earliest date of freeze over is December 28. Average date of freeze over is January 27.
Road Conditions: 
Good
Other Information: 
Campfires must be within the metal fire ring at each campsite.

The following facilities are open throughout the winter months and off-season fees are in effect:

Marina: Day Use = $8; Senior Day Use = 4$; and, Winter Dry Camping = $15 per night.

First Point, Cisco Beach, and Rainbow Cove:  Day Use = $5; Senior Day Use = $3; Primitive Camping = $10.

The Rendezvous Beach, South Eden, Rainbow Cove - Bluffs, and North Eden facilities are closed for the winter months.

Logan Canyon snowmobile trail grooming update:

The trails we have groomed:

1/12 - Swan Flat Loop and Beaver Creek.

1/13 - Tony Grove and Franklin Basin.

1/14 - Upper Garden City Canyon and Sinks Road into Hell's Hollow Junction.

1/15 - Tony Grove and Franklin Basin.

1/16 - Swan Flat Loop and Beaver Creek.

1/17 - Beaver Creek.

1/18 - Sinks Road into Temple Flat.

These are the trails we plan to groom:

1/19 - Tony Grove and Franklin Basin.

1/20 - Swan Flat Loop and Beaver Creek.

1/21 - Upper Garden City Canyon and Sinks to Hell's Hollow Junction.

1/22 - Tony Grove and Franklin Basin.

1/23 - Swan Flat Loop and Beaver Creek.

1/24 - Beaver Creek.

1/25 - Sinks Road into Temple Flat.

Bear Lake is one of two main bodies of water left over from the ancient Lake Bonneville. The other one is Utah Lake.

Bear Lake was formed 28,000 years ago by earthquake activity. It is 20 miles long and eight miles wide. Originally, it was called Black Bear Lake, by Donald Mackenzie, explorer for the North West Fur Company, who discovered it in 1819 while scouting for fur-bearing animals. The name was later shortened to just Bear Lake.

The cool, Caribbean-blue waters of Bear Lake are ideal for waterskiing, swimming, scuba diving, and sailing. Anglers enjoy year-round fishing for cutthroat, mackinaw, cisco, and whitefish. Bear Lake State Park offers three recreation areas: Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake Marina, and East Beach.

Bear Lake State Park Rendezvous Beach is named for the famous rendezvous of trappers and Native Americans held in the summers of 1827 and 1828. A thousand or more Indians and mountain men, including Jedediah Smith, attended the gatherings.

East Side/Cisco Beach/South Eden/North Eden/First Point: These primitive areas are located on the east shore approximately ten miles north of Laketown. The terrain is rocky and the water depth drops off quickly to 208 feet.

Cisco Beach is famous for its midwinter fishing with dip nets for the small, seven-inch Bonneville Cisco, a member of the whitefish family. For a week to 10 days every January, swarms of Cisco come close to the rocky shore to spawn. They are easily scooped up by hardy fishermen wading waist-deep in the icy water or through holes in the ice if the lake is frozen.

Bear Lake is home to several native species of fish that are not found anywhere else in the world, including the Bonneville Cisco and the Bear Lake Whitefish, and the Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout. The lake is often referred to as Utah's Caribbean, because of its turquoise blue color. Why is the water so blue? Its beautiful and unique green-blue color comes from particles of calcium carbonate (limestone) that are suspended in the water. Bear Lake is currently listed as one of Utah's flat water 'Blue Ribbon' fisheries.

Bear Lake is located on the Utah/Idaho border north of Cache Valley in Rich County. Its fishery is managed by both states. Click here for a list of rules for the State Park.

Fish Species:

Current Regulations: