Fishing Lake Information - Bear River Reservoir

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Bear River Reservoir

Fishing Bear River Reservoir
Lower Bear River Reservoir is routinely stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game with yearling and catchable sized brown trout and rainbow trout. In 2005 the release was 2250 pounds numbering about 5625 brownies. That same year they released 5800 pounds numbering 10,440 rainbow trout. F&G also released 3000 fingerlings of Kamloops Junction Rainbow Trout in the Upper Reservoir. The Bear River Lake Resort stocks trophy-sized rainbows and offers fishing derbies in the Lower Lake. Bear River Reservoir sits at an elevation of 5,850 feet. The lake can be fished year-round because the access road to the resort and the boat launch is plowed. The best fishing time of year is just after ice-out, and on into the late fall. Rainbow Trout is the most abundant fish in the reservoirs. Trolling with a half a night crawler behind flashers and dodgers works well as do Needlefish and Kastmasters. Bank fishing is pretty good nort of the dam in the Little Bear River Cove near the Bear River Lake Resort and the launch ramps. Brown Trout can be found in the deeper water, and the best lures to use are the minnow stickbaits like Rapalas an Rebels. Bait fisherman also do well with mini crawlers and mealworms from a bobber. Mackinaw (Lake Trout) are typically caught in the 25 to 65 foot range using Flatfish, J-Plugs, and Cisco Kid Lures, especially in the deeper water off of the south shore. The Lower Bear River Reservoir receives mostly all of the fishing pressure while the Upper Reservoir offers a secluded, challenge. Some Lake Trout, Kamloops, have been caught in the Lower Reservoir.

Facilities
The Upper Reservoir has to be accessed by lifting light, flatwater paddle boats from the eastern end of the Lower Reservoir. The opportunity is best for hardy paddlers that enjoy a rugged lake mostly to themselves.

The Lower Reservoir is open to all types of water craft and skiing. Prevalent winds make this a nice sail boating opportunity. Improved launch facilities are located near the dam and at the marina operated by the Bear River Lake Resort. An unimproved ramp is also available below Pardoes Point Campground. This is the best launch site for accessing the Upper Reservoir about 2 miles further up the lake.

In addition to facilities at Bear River Lake Resort, camping is available at three-single family and one group Forest Service campground. Except for the group campground, normal season is May 1-November 15.

South of the dam, South Shore Campground offers a total of 22 units: 9 have shorter parking places, 25'-40', that are best suited for tent camping, while 11 have parking places between 40' and 50' that are suitable for trailers and RVs. There are also two units that are walk-in tent camping only. There is piped water and vault toilets, but no showers. The setting is forested on a side hill, above the lake on the uphill side of the main access road that separates the campground from the lake. There are no hook-ups but the Resort does operate a dump station.

Along the southern shoreline, Pardoes Point Campground has 10 tent camping units. Toilets are pit facilities and there is no piped water provided. There are no showers at this facility. Day use parking lies just above the camping sites, and five picnic tables sit at the end of the road near the lake. The setting is forested, and has large trees that are just above the lake.

On the slope above the south side of the lake, the Bear River Group Campground offers 4 different group sites: three with a maximum of 25 people and one can hold up to 50 people. They have vault toilets and piped water. It's in a forested setting but well above and nearly a mile by road from the lake. The campsites are available by reservation only. Normal season is mid-June through mid-September.

On the northern shoreline, Sugar Pine Point is a sunny, scenic, although rustic campground with 8 tent camping spots. There is no piped water, pit toilets, and dirt-road access, but if you're prepared this is a pretty spot just above the lake on a granite point with large pine trees that overshadow the camp sites.

Bear River Lake Resort on the north shore in the Little Bear River cove has 127 units for tents or RVs, including partial hookups with limited electric service, showers and flush toilets. They do have one group site for up to 60 people that is available. They have a playground for kids, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, beach area with no lifeguard, laundromat and a game room. They do have a Café and cocktail lounge area in the main lodge. There are 8 “lodging units”, including trailers used as “cabins”, with a separated bedroom and day bed in the living room. These units are adequate for up to 4 people. They have a full bathroom and a kitchen. The marina offers gas and boat rentals and there is a small store at the resort. No dirt bikes are allowed and ATVs must be stock, with no pipes. Contact 209-295-4868 for information, rates or reservations. In the winter months the Resort is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and offers 60 miles of groomed trails and snow play opportunities.

Lying just a short distance above the Upper Reservoir, the moderately challenging Pardoe Trail, an allowed OHV Route, climbs the rugged ridge that forms the northern boundary of the Mokelumne Wilderness area. A few miles above the reservoirs, the Tangle Foot hiking trail enters the lower elevations on the western boundary of the Mokelumne Wilderness. The trail to Devils Lake is a great excursion at the end of a road best used by high-clearance vehicles.

Bear River Reservoir Group Campground Info

DIRECTIONS:

To Bear River Reservoirs (Lower & Upper)

Drive 40 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88; then go south 2½ miles on Bear River Road. Snow plowing normally accesses only the Bear River Lake Resort and the reservoir near the dam.

ACTIVITIES:

Camping, Fishing, Boating, Paddle Boating, Hiking, Cross County Skiing, Snowmobiling, and swimming. lake.

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