By Paul Lebowitz

The glistening trout skipped across the still surface of Big Bear Lake. With each jump, the gossamer thread arcing from fish to fishing pole flashed in the brilliant morning sun. For a few moments more the rainbow trout surged wildly to and fro, before finally submitting to the net. Its wide tail, 18 inches behind its blunt nose, testified that this was no recently stocked trout, but a vigorous survivor of a winter under the ice.     

Big Bear Lake is an alpine island in a sea of desert, a piece of the High Sierra transported south. Its waters, rimmed by pine forested peaks, sustain a thriving year-round rainbow trout fishery. Located just a couple of hours above suburbia, Big Bear is a prime place for Southern California’s ocean-going kayak anglers to rinse the salt out while enjoying many of the delights offered by the Eastern Sierras without the day-long drive.

This beautiful lake sits at 7,000 feet. When full, as it is now, it is seven miles long and as wide as one mile across. Strong winds sometimes gust the length of the lake. Fortunately, a series of indented bays along the south shore usually provide a calm refuge. One, Boulder Bay, is an excellent place to launch to fish the west side. North side shore launch spots are located at the Grout Bay Picnic Area, Juniper Point, and the parking turnout at the abandoned Gray’s Landing about a mile east of the dam. Of course, the public launch ramps are available as well.

In fall, the lake is in the midst of its trout fishing season. Action is consistent until cold weather has more Big Bear visitors thinking of racing down Bear Mountain’s ski slopes rather than fishing. In early October, the lake is sometimes murky and green. When that happens, the trout should remain near the surface, where they are easy to target using small minnow shaped hard baits such as the Rapala CD-3 in Firetiger or Black and Chrome.

Once the water clears to its usual sparkling blue, Big Bear’s trout should seek deeper water. Then it will be time to break out the leadcore trolling line, the local bread and butter. The weighted line allows a lure to be presented at a controlled depth without the hassle of a downrigger. It’s a good, simple option for kayakers. Alan Sharp of Big Bear Marina shared his set-up. Spool a light saltwater reel with 18-pound leadcore line. Avoid the lighter 14-pound leadcore; it sinks too slowly. The rig is simple. Tie 50 feet of 8 to 10-pound test monofilament above the leadcore and attach a swivel to the end. Hook 3 to 4 feet of light 4 to 6-pound mono leader onto the swivel, and tie on a trolling spoon. Dick Nite spoons are the preferred weapon, but trout spoons such as Needlefish also produce strikes.

Using leadcore line can be dull if you’re winching in fish with heavy gear. John Cantrell of Cantrell Guide Service knows how to have fun. Cantrell pairs his leadcore reels with light rods, even ones designed for spinning gear. The point is to match the rod to the fish. Use a trout rod for a more sporting battle.

Whichever trolling method you employ, a leisurely paddle is the perfect pace. If using leadcore, start with two colors out and go up to four. Keep moving until you find the fish. Most trout in Big Bear Lake are on the small side, about two to a pound, but a bigger fish could latch onto your bait at any time.

To increase your odds of encountering the larger, holdover trout, troll the shoreline early and late in the day, times when fish cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal.

In springtime the blue lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and the fish are hungry. “Fishing is awesome in April and May. If you can’t catch fish then it’s time to take up golf,” said Cantrell, who suggests starting an early season fishing trip at the shallower east end of the lake. The trout will be there where the water is warmest.

NOT UNLEADED – When trout go deep in Big Bear Lake’s sparkling blue waters, the combination of leadcore line spooled on light saltwater reel and a small trolling spoon is deadly. The weighted line takes the nearly weightless spoon down where the trout swim.

FILLED TO THE RIM AND FULL OF FISH – After the big rains of 2006, Big Bear Lake was filled close to capacity. Over 300,000 trout, crappie, and bluegill were stocked.

BIG BEAR, SOUTHERN TASTE OF THE SIERRAS – Beautiful, pine-lined Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s answer to the High Sierras. The lake, located at a cool 7,000 feet, sustains trout year-round.

PADDLE POWER TROUT – The mainstay of Big Bear Lake trouting is the trolled lure. Fortunately for kayak anglers, there’s no better boat for slow trolling than a quiet paddlecraft. This holdover rainbow fell for a Rapala CD-3.