Big Bear Lake Early April Rainbow Trout Fishing

Fishing Big Bear lake in April had been hot!

With the success my brother and I had just experienced I thought I would head back to the lake my next day off.  I checked the forecast and it was looking like a great day for fishing.  The sun was shining and it was much warmer than the previous time out.  The snow was melting and completely gone from the South shore as well.  The snow was melting and pouring off the hills into the lake.  

I had arrived early but only a few fish were interested in biting and action was kind of slower than usual.  As the day progressed the melt water from the snow started to run off into the lake.  With all the construction going on with the new bridge being built there was a lot of dirty water running into the lake.  Right at my feet there was this large dust plume developing in the water and extending out from shore.  I couldn't see into the water at all.  As time passed I started to see fish splashing right next to the shore in the muddy water.  The fish were going crazy in this murky water.  They were like sharks prowling in the ocean for unsuspecting prey.  They were so close to shore though I had trouble presenting a jig to them.  

I set up a bobber with a very short line about 24 inches long and tied on a small hook.  I had some american sliced cheese with me and decided to try some.  I know, cheese, how elementary!  Sometimes the most simple techniques produce fish and you should never get too old to go back to the methods that worked when you were a kid.   

I left the bobber sit a few feet off shore and started casting a jig with a Berkley Power Nymph in grey along the shore where I could see fish splashing in the water.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that my bobber had disappeared.  I reached down and grabbed the other rod and set the hook on a feisty rainbow trout.  After setting up again I soon had my jig rod bent over with a large rainbow that had inhaled the Berkley Power Nymph.  The Rainbows stayed very active through the day and I kept catching fish after fish.  

I noticed a fish that was splashing and splashing by my feet.  It seemed odd that he was staying there for so long.  I finally reached down into the murky water and grabbed a hold of some old fishing line.  I could feel the fish tugging on this line.  It turns out he was snagged on the fishing line.  I pulled the fish in and untangled him.  After unraveling the trapped fish I set her free to live another day.  She is pictured below struggling in the muddy water.

I ended up taking a limit of rainbows home for some excellent eating and to share with some good friends

Big Bear Lake Rainbow Trout Fishing the end of March

Headed back to Big Bear Lake for some more Rainbow Trout Action!  

Started on the North Side of the dam and only caught one rainbow trout on a slip bobber with a night crawler at 12 feet down.  I looked over to the other side where I had fallen into the water a few weeks earlier.  The snow had now melted back and was no longer hanging out over the water looking slightly less dangerous.  I could hear the fish calling, so I decided to pack things up and head over to the other side.

I made my way down the snowy embankment carefully with my fishing gear and got into a somewhat safe position to be fishing from. Once in position I rigged up a couple of slip bobbers and night crawlers with varying depths anywhere from 8-15 feet in depth.  A short time elapsed before the bobbers started systematically disappearing and I pulled in a few nice fat rainbows.  It was a beautiful sunny day and once again caught my limit of big rainbows for the smoker.  Yum, love smoked rainbow trout!  Will post how I make smoked rainbow trout a little later.

TIP FOR THE DAY!  If the fish down seem to be biting well on the slip bobber try varying the depth.  Also cast that float as far out into the lake as you can to get it where the hungry fish are waiting!  Good Luck out there.

No near death experiences this time to share about.

EXTREME FISHING - Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Spring has arrived in Southern California and one of the most exciting fishing opportunities to be found is the Fabulous Rainbow Trout Fishing starting in MARCH and going right on through MAY.  Starting usually in the first few weeks of March the large spawning rainbow trout will start to find there ways to the streams that run into the lake.  While fishing for these fish in or near the streams is illegal you can usually find them close to the shore around the lake.  They will swim by looking for any trickle of water running into the lake.  I've even seen them leap out of the water right onto the rocks where a small trickle was entering the lake.

One of the best ways to catch these fish is using a yellow and white mini jig or crappie jig.  Use a light action rod with four pound test and a 1/32nd ounce jig.  Cast it out and let it sink down for ten seconds.  Then slowly reel it in with a small bouncing action.  Wait for the rainbows to chase this presentation right to shore and hold on.  Strikes can be violent and sometimes really soft, so pay attention.  Tipping the crappie jig with a meal worm sometimes helps.

There I was early in the morning standing on the side of the lake.  I could see fish swimming near the shore, but they really weren't that interested.  It was a slow morning and I only ended up landing one fish, so I decided to try the other side of the lake.  There was a huge snow pile on the other side that was still overhanging the water.  It looked pretty dangerous which was good for me because no one else was fishing there.  I went around to the other side and slowly worked my way down the mound of snow.  I toed my foot holds one at a time on this steep bank and carved out a platform for myself to stand on.  I then created steps down closer to the water to net any possible fish I'd catch.

Turns out that I made an EXCELLENT choice as my bobber vanished within a few moments of casting it out.  I had a slip bobber rig out with a night crawler sitting from 12-15 feet down in the water column.  The fish kept coming and it was turning out to be an excellent day fishing.

THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!    As I was making my way down the steps the snow drift broke off and I fell into the FRIGID WATER up to my waist.  I was now stuck waist deep with nothing but a shear cliff of snow and ice above me to try to climb out on.  I clawed my hands into the snow and with all my strength pulled myself out of the water.  To this day I have no idea how I was able to pull myself out.  Check the pictures out.

It wasn't too cold out so I just kept on fishing and dried off slowly.  Caught my limit of 5 nice rainbow trout and released a few more to grow up for another day.  We'll Chalk that one up for another crazy adventure with the Fishing Doctor!

My Fishing Platform on the Snow Bank

 Where I fell in and the chunk that fell in with me.  Notice the angle, straight down!

The Days Great Catch Well Worth the Effort!