Gate is past milepost #12 from this direction, or take Highway 94 east to Honey Springs Road to Lyons Valley Road, turn right, 1.7 miles to gate. Parking is extremely limited.
Rating
Barrett Lake is a 9.5 in my book.
Big Bear Lake
by Jeff Solis
Located in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers some of the best early- and late-season trout fishing in Southern California. Summer still produces some fast and furious trout fishing but also throws three- to five-pound bass into the mix.
At 3,015 surface acres, Big Bear has approximately 70 miles of rocky shoreline, points, and coves. Using a float tube is the best way to cover the most water, with a full sink or sink tip line to get your streamer pattern or beadhead nymph down. If you’re looking to take trout on dry flies and emerger patterns, the east end of the lake is the best place to be in the spring. As the water warms, try some of the sheltered bays, such as Boulder Bay or the area near the dam.
Big Bear Lake also has numerous areas distinguished for their grassy shorelines, lily pads, submerged logs, and other fish-attracting structures favored by the lake’s bass population. The walking or wading angler can easily access these spots, and a well-presented leech pattern or surface popper will often result in a jolting strike.
To reach Big Bear Lake, take Interstate 10 east from San Bernardino to Highway 30. Go north on 30 until it forks with Highway 330. Continue north on 330 until it ends at Highway 18, turn right, and proceed to the lake.
The city of Big Bear Lake has grown steadily over the last 30 years and is now a destination for hunters, hikers, skiers, horseback riders, and golfers, as well as anglers. With all of these attractive activities, Big Bear Lake is a great place for anglers to spend a weekend with the whole family!
Healthy rainbows abound. Photo by John Sherman.
Types of Fish
Trout, bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
Midges, mayflies, damselflies, game fish fry, and shad.
Equipment to Use
Rods: 5–7 weight, 8–9 feet in length.
Reels: Standard click or disk drag.
Lines: WF double-taper floating for dries. Full sink or sink tip for streamers and nymphs.
Leaders: 4X to 6X, 7–9 feet in length.
Wading: Can be very productive. Wear chest-high waders and boots.
Flies to Use
Dries: Renegade #14–18, Parachute Adams, Adams #14–20, Griffith’s Gnat #16–20, Roy’s Special Emerger #18–20, Looping Callibaetis #16.
Nymphs: Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Beadhead Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince #10–18, Brassie #12–20.
Streamers & Poppers: Woolly Worm or Bugger #2–12, Zonker #6–10, Matuka, Muddler Minnow #4–10, Light Spruce Fly #6–12, foam or deer hair poppers #2–10, Clouser Minnow #1/0–6, assorted dragonfly and leech patterns #2–8.
When to Fish
Spring, summer, and fall.
Seasons & Limits
Open year-round. There is no limit on bluegill, and you can keep 25 crappie, 5 trout, and 5 bass at least 12 inches in length. Check current regulations for other limits and restrictions.
Nearby Fly Fishing
Santa Ana River and Bear Creek.
Accommodations & Services
Plenty of camping can be found around the lake, and numerous motels are in the area. There are many stores on the north and south shores, including some that rent fishing boats, canoes, ski boats, and jet skis.
Rating
With a variety of cover to explore, Big Bear Lake rates an 8.
Big Pine Creek
by Kate Howe
Fly tyer and all-around international angler Kate Howe used to live in these parts and provided the information here. She was particularly fond of this small water because of the constant fly fishing challenge and because it always made her want to come back for more. Big Pine Creek’s glacier-fed waters wind 15 miles from lakes at the foot of Palisade Glacier to the creek’s confluence with the Owens River. The creek’s upper reaches are full of Ice Age cobblestone, with waters of a glacial blue-green tint. Down the mountain, small freestone rocks and sand replace the cobblestones. On the valley floor the creek becomes a high-desert meadow stream with undercut banks and a sand-and-rock bottom.
The brown trout of Big Pine Creek are wild and live up to that reputation. Most average around 8 to 12 inches. Daily, some angler is surprised with a 16-inch or better brown. Stocked rainbows and Alpers trout also add to the mix in the creek.
Dry fly fishing on Big Pine Creek can be nonstop in summer, after spring runoff when the water temperature has risen and the hatches stabilize. Nymphing always produces trout and, depending on water depth and cover, usually the bigger fish of the day. A dry fly fished with a dropper is an awesome combination and streamer fishing can be fantastic, giving the angler an opportunity to probe deep pools and undercuts for dominant fish in prime holding water.
Navigating the creek can be tough, with lots of brush to negotiate and rocks to climb over. These areas, however, can produce the best action, since many anglers don’t take the time to investigate them. For the less athletic, there are also easily accessible areas just a short hike from the parking areas.
The town of Big Pine is five hours north of Los Angeles on Highway 395. The fishing starts right in town, with more access on Glacier Lodge Road (going west). Access to the eastern section of the creek is via a dirt road off Highway 168.
Tumbling section of Big Pine Creek. Photo by Don Vachini.
Types of Fish
Wild brown trout and stocked rainbows.
Known Hatches & Baitfish
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