Bear Lake Bear Lake has open water and there are still a few pieces of ice floating around, so be cautious while boating. Launching access is available at the Utah State Park marina, First Point and Rainbow Cove boat ramps where the ramps are free of ice and snow and courtesy docks are in the water. There is still about 6 to 12 inches of snow on the ground at Bear Lake. Fishing for cutthroat trout and lake trout has slowed down near the rockpile. However, anglers are still able to catch some fish. The hot spot has been on the east side of the lake off the Pump House, Second Point and along Cisco Beach. Some anglers are trolling and some are jigging, but both methods are working well. When jigging, start in depths of 30 to 70 feet depending on the location. When jigging for trout try using tube jigs or swim baits in 1/2- to one ounce sizes and 3 to six inches long tipped with cisco, sucker meat or Gulp minnows. Reliable colors are white, green and chartreuse. Anglers who have been trolling are doing well using minnow-type lures, flatfish and a dodger with a squid. Troll with the lures off downriggers close to bottom, but also watch your sonar for suspended fish that may also be active at this time of year. Since the water is still very cold, sometimes trolling flat lines far behind the boat with crankbaits can also be very productive. Remember the trout limit is two fish. You can keep cutthroat trout with a healed fin clip. Cutthroat trout with all fins intact must be released immediately.
