The past week has shown a slight upswing in the bite action for the trout at Big Bear Lake. Trailers are still producing the most fish at the West End of the lake in depths of 6 to 12 feet in a little triangle between The Mooring buoys the floating outhouse and Papoose Bay. Water temps are 71 degrees at the surface West to East and only dropping to 68 degrees at 30 to 50 feet but that is way below optimum oxygen levels. That is why Stephen Raphael at BBSG and his team of "Fishin' Guys" are encouraging the use of a slip bobber.

Except for a few hours early morning when the trout are chasing Needlefish and a few other spoons the majority of fish being brought to net have gone after a Nightcrawler suspended by slip bobber.

Shore line anglers at the west end of BBL near the dam are using the slip bobber and a Nightcrawler with some success. Fishing Salmon Egg Peach Power Bait mixed with a Garlic attractant is also bringing in some of the 'Bows feeding near the shore in the early morning and late evening hours.

Bass and Pan Fish are still scarce. But Small Mouths that are holed up in deep water submerged rock structure between old Ski Beach and Kidds Cove on the west end, the mouth of Metcalf Bay and near the rock jetty near Pine Knot Marina are falling prey to a wacky Rigged Houdini Yamasenko using the "drop shot" technique. Matt Delucia caught 3 in that area.

With summer break still in effect for most schools, families are taking advantage of the recreational boating, water skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing on Big Bear Lake. This makes it difficult to troll without someone or something running over troller's leadcore and flashers. As a troller, try to find a less popular area of the lake and make sure you are flying a white trolling flag.

A few "Blue Cats" have come in near Windy Point during the overnight hours. Chicken Livers and Mackerel seem to be the "fare of Choice". While Nightcrawlers work well pretty much anywhere along the shoreline for catching the "Bull Heads".

Call Stwve and the "Fishin' Guys" at Big Bear Sporting Goods for the latest and most accurate reports on lake and fishing conditions.