Well, it was just a matter of time. Just 11 days after Fishin' for $50K was completed on Big Bear Lake, the tagged trout that was good for $50K was reeled in by Kenny Tanaka, 13 years old, of Thousand Oaks, CA. Kenny landed the trout while on a charter trip with Cantrell Guide Service on June 19. The tagged trout hit a Needlefish trolled near the dam. While Kenny did not receive the $50,000, he did receive assorted gifts and prizes from The Big Bear Visitors Bureau. Kenny had not heard of the derby until after his catch, but he plans to enter it next year.

Trout anglers are finding an up and down bite on the lake. Trollers using crawlers and flies in the early hours of the day are finding fish at one to two colors. As the sun hits the surface the trout are going deeper at three to four and hitting Needlefish. The trout are concentrated from Windy Point to the dam. Shore anglers continue to soak crawlers and dough bait hung from slip bobbers in the same area along the North Shore with decent results.

Bass action has slowed a bit. The smallies have been elusive while the largemouth has been sitting on beds in a defensive mood. Crappie and bluegill are also hard to find as one day they like a spot and the next cannot be found. Hide and seek spots for these species include; Mallard and Boulder Bays, Eagle Point and Marina Point.


Big Bear Lake Marinas
-Big Bear Marina, 500 Paine Ct.: 909-866-3218
-Captain John's Marina, 39369 North Shore Dr. (Hwy. 38)
-Holloway's Marina & RV Park, 398 Edgemoor Road: 909-866-5706
-Pine Knot Marina, 439 Pine Knot Ave.: 909-866-7766
-Pleasure Point Marina, 603 Landlock Landing Road: 909-866-8455
-North Shore Landing, 38573 Northshore Drive: 909-878-4386