Bear Lake Fishing
A Utah natural lake in Rich County.
Pick for lake troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Sizing up Bear Lake before the drive
DWR leaves the acreage of Bear Lake blank; the UGRC layer draws about 70,008 acres of mapped outline in Utah in Rich County. Richmond, about 25 miles away, is the handiest Utah town.
The Blue Ribbon program lists it. The UGRC and DWR launch points give it 7 launches. Statewide limits change here through 2 rule lines.
Outline area from the UGRC Utah Lakes NHD layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not a DWR surface-acre figure), read November 11, 2026. The layer stops at the state line, so this is the Utah part only.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
DWR on Bear Lake
DWR introduces Bear Lake like this:
Bear Lake provides a cold-water sport fishery mainly for cutthroat and lake trout. A Utah or Idaho fishing license is valid on the entire lake. It is located in a beautiful mountain setting and the blue color is produced by suspended carbonates in the water that reflect blue light.
DWR's directions to Bear Lake: From Logan, drive 38 miles east on Highway 89.
DWR records cycling, hand launch, hiking, mountain biking, OHV or 4WD trails, restrooms, swimming and waterskiing at the Bear Lake access points.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
For the lake trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The Bear Lake fish list, per DWR
The abundance words below are DWR's own for Bear Lake: a guide to odds, not a guarantee.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Bonneville whitefish | likely |
| Bear Lake cutthroat trout | likely |
| Lake trout | likely |
| Bear Lake whitefish | possible |
| Bonneville cisco | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
What DWR released into Bear Lake
Hatchery plants at Bear Lake, newest first, from the DWR page.
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat | 18,896 | 7.77 |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat | 4,326 | 7.44 |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat | 13,335 | 7.76 |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat | 19,478 | 7.64 |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat | 17,873 | 7.8 |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Cutthroat | 8,926 | 7.77 |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Lake trout | 21,189 | 5.64 |
| Jun 24, 2025 | Cutthroat | 14,165 | 8.56 |
| Jun 24, 2025 | Cutthroat | 6,882 | 8.74 |
| Jun 24, 2025 | Cutthroat | 27,409 | 8.54 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | Cutthroat | 24,980 | 8.62 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | Cutthroat | 13,452 | 8.47 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
A dated DWR read on Bear Lake
Fishing forecast (September-November): On Sept. 9, the surface water temperature was 65 degrees. Fishing has improved over the past week and should continue to pick up as we head into fall. Fishing has been very good for cutthroat trout and lake trout, and September is one of the best times of year to target large lake trout.
DWR posted this Bear Lake report on Sep 17, 2026.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
Where trailers back into Bear Lake
- 150 South Access Point at Bear Lakehand launch, cycling, hand launch, hiking
- 250 East Loop Access Point at Bear Lakehand launch, cycling, hand launch, hiking
- Bear Lake State Park Boat Rampboat ramp, for small motorized craft, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, covered Picnic ares, cycling, drinking water
- Cisco Beach Boat Ramp at Bear Lakeboat ramp, covered Picnic ares, cycling, fire rings
- First Point Boat Ramp at Bear Lakeboat ramp, covered Picnic ares, cycling, fire rings
- Rainbow Cove Boat Ramp at Bear Lakeboat ramp, covered Picnic ares, cycling, fire rings
- Rendezvous Beach State Park Boat Ramp at Bear Lakeboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by Utah State Parks in the UGRC layer, camp host, covered Picnic ares, cycling
Shore and pier options around Bear Lake
- Franklin Basin Road Bridge Shore Access at Logan RiverLogan River, 13 miles
- Red Banks Campground at Logan RiverLogan River, 14 miles
- USU Forestry Field Statio Shore Access at Logan RiverLogan River, 15 miles
No fee or hour figures for Bear Lake exist in UGRC or DWR records.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
How full Utah's Bear Lake is running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake At State Park Marina Nr Garden City, Ut | 5,911.54 ft lake elevation | Nov 12 3:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 4:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reclamation posts Bear Lake values once a day; the date is shown.
Daily limits in force at Bear Lake
The limits here are from the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, which takes effect January 1, 2027; the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook stays in force through December 31, 2026 and differs only where a row says so.
The Fish Utah page for Bear Lake serves these rule lines, quoted as DWR lists them (DWR marks them updated Jan 21, 2025).
- Limit 2 trout. Limit 30 Bonneville Cisco. Limit 10 Whitefish.
- Anglers may keep snagged Bonneville cisco that are taken through normal, legal fishing activities. Cisco may be taken with a handheld dipnet – net opening may not exceed 18 inches in any dimension. When ice fishing for fish other than cisco, the size of the hole may not exceed 18 inches. Any angler who possesses a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license may fish within both the Utah and Idaho boundaries of Bear Lake. A person may not possess a multipoint hook with a weight permanently or rigidly attached directly to the shank – or a weight suspended below a multipoint hook – unless the hook is on an unweighted dropper line that is at least three inches long. Bear Lake Tributaries – Big Spring Creek and Swan Creek CLOSED April 15 through 6am on the second Saturday in July, artificial flies and lures only.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
Beehive State default limits at Bear Lake
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic grayling (a combined total) | 4 | same | Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
| Whitefish | 10 | same | – |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
On possession, the Utah rule reads, for Bear Lake as anywhere: "Possession limit means, for purposes of this rule only, two daily limits, including fish in a cooler, camper, tent, freezer, livewell or any other place of storage, excluding fish stored in an individual’s permanent residence."
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-2), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident.
License prices as printed in the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8 (the 2026 guidebook prints the same prices; checked against the DWR fees page), read November 11, 2026.
Two-state licensing at Bear Lake
If you have a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license—whether you are a resident or nonresident—you may fish both the Utah and Idaho portions of the lake, as long as you follow the angling regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing. It is your responsibility to know and follow each state’s laws and rules for Bear Lake. REMINDER: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit each day.
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 23 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
Bear Lake on the Blue Ribbon list
Utah's Blue Ribbon program includes Bear Lake, per DWR.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Bear Lake (DWR last updated the page Jul 14, 2020), read November 11, 2026.
The Utah record list and Bear Lake
| Species | Weight or length | Year | Place as DWR prints it | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville cisco | 3.2 oz. | 2026 | Bear Lake | catch and keep |
| Bonneville whitefish | 4 lbs. 8.96 oz. | 2018 | Bear Lake | catch and keep |
| Bear Lake cutthroat trout | 31" | 2021 | Bear Lake | catch and release (length) |
| Bonneville whitefish | 23 ¼" | 2009 | Bear Lake | catch and release (length) |
Utah state record fish as DWR lists them (records page), read November 11, 2026.
Bear Lake next to area reservoirs
Third Dam – Logan River tops this list at 6 acres, per DWR.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake | about 70,008 acres of mapped outline in Utah | Rich County | 7 | 6 | |
| Garden City Pond | 5 miles southwest | 3 acres | Rich County | 0 | 2 |
| Laketown Reservoir | 13 miles south | 4 acres | Rich County | 0 | 2 |
| Third Dam – Logan River | 26 miles southwest | 6 acres | Cache County | 0 | 3 |
| Second Dam – Logan River | 28 miles southwest | 2.99 | Cache County | 0 | 3 |
| First Dam – Logan River | 29 miles southwest | 11 | Cache County | 0 | 3 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
In Utah close to Bear Lake
Backup Utah lakes when Bear Lake is slow
- Garden City Pond5 miles southwest
- Laketown Reservoir13 miles south
- Third Dam – Logan River26 miles southwest
- Second Dam – Logan River28 miles southwest
- First Dam – Logan River29 miles southwest
Bait shops worth a detour before Bear Lake
- Bear Lake State Park Marinamarina, Garden City, 4 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 99 E 1400 Nbait and tackle shop, Logan, 31 miles
- Fish Or Starvebait and tackle shop, Logan, 31 miles
- Round Rocks Fly Fishingfly shop, Logan, 32 miles
- Rainy's Flies & Suppliesbait and tackle shop, Logan, 33 miles
- Ideal Beach Marinamarina, Rich County
Where to sleep when fishing Bear Lake
- Richmond25 miles
- Smithfield28 miles
- Hyde Park28 miles
County write-ups naming Bear Lake
- Rich Countyseat: Randolph
Piscifun reels and line to pack for Bear Lake
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Wasatch and red rock water near Bear Lake, on camera
Photo: Devin Stein, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Paul Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Christopher Eugene Lee, Public domain
Photo: Andrey Zharkikh, CC BY 2.0
Clearing up Bear Lake ahead of time
Where would I base a trip to Bear Lake?
Head for Rich County; the nearest Census town, Richmond, is about 25 miles away.
What surface area does Bear Lake cover?
DWR prints no acreage; the UGRC outline is about 70,008 acres of mapped outline in Utah.
Does Utah have a ramp at Bear Lake?
7 launches serve it, 150 South Access Point at Bear Lake among them.
What can a Utah angler catch at Bear Lake?
The DWR species list gives bonneville whitefish, bear Lake cutthroat trout, lake trout and bonneville cutthroat trout.
What limits does Utah set at Bear Lake?
Read the 2 rule lines in the limits band before keeping a fish.
Does fishing Bear Lake call for a Utah license?
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident. Under-12 anglers are exempt.
Which shore points line Bear Lake?
No shore or pier point is on file.
Where do Utah anglers stock up before Bear Lake?
Bear Lake State Park Marina, about 4 miles away tops the Utah list.
Where is the elevation reading for Bear Lake?
Values in the level band name their agency and day.
Has Bear Lake been stocked lately?
DWR shows 22 stocking rows, latest May 5, 2026 (cutthroat).
Has Bear Lake produced a Utah record?
A 3.2 oz. bonneville cisco from Bear Lake is on the DWR list, year 2026.
Did DWR rank Bear Lake Blue Ribbon?
DWR lists it as a Blue Ribbon fishery.
Hitch the Utah trailer for Bear Lake
License prices and both guidebook editions are on the Utah license page.