Idaho Fish Report

Cutthroat and lake trout are feeding mainly on cisco at this time. Several anglers reported good fishing for both species by trolling with downriggers and Rapala-type lures in 5- to 8-inch lengths. Anglers report the best fishing by trolling from South Eden campground northward to the Utah-Idaho state line. Try varying your trolling speeds, but try to average 1.8 to 2.5 mph. Very few anglers are fishing along the west side of the lake because of the recreational boat traffic.

A summer net sampling completed this week found that the majority of cutthroat and lake trout were found very close to the bottom at depths between 85 and 160 feet. In fact, the highest catches of cutthroat came at the deepest depths. Consider releasing large lake trout in order to maintain the fishery. Lake trout grow very slowly and can easily live in Bear Lake for more than 35 years.

The surface water temperature is 71??F, and has likely peaked for the year. You can launch boats at the Utah State Park marina, and off the east side at the 1st Point and Rainbow Cove boat ramps. The courtesy docks are installed at all locations.

If you want to keep a cutthroat trout from Bear Lake, it must have a healed fin clip (usually the adipose fin). If you catch a cutthroat with all of its fins intact -- even if it's tagged -- you must release it.