Bear River Reservoir Lower fishing

Fishing at Bear River Reservoir Lower is on a reservoir, stocked with Mixed Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. It is stocked 3 times in 2026, most often in June and July. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

August 30, 2026

Plants on record

3

Species recorded

1

Elevation

5,781.1 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Bear River Reservoir Lower?
Fishing Bear River Reservoir Lower is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout. Mixed Trout was last stocked August 30, 2026. Brown Trout (Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release)) and Rainbow Trout (Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release)) are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Bear River Reservoir Lower stocked?
Last stocked August 30, 2026. It is stocked 3 times in 2026, most often in June and July.
How do you get on Bear River Reservoir Lower?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Pioneer, CA. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock. A 710-acre PG&E hydro reservoir in Eldorado National Forest, 40 miles east of Jackson via Highway 88. South Shore (22 sites, first come first served) and Bear River Group campgrounds both charge a fee and sit on the water, and Bear River Lake Resort runs a marina. Open about May 15 to Oct 15.

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Pioneer, CA
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, dock

A 710-acre PG&E hydro reservoir in Eldorado National Forest, 40 miles east of Jackson via Highway 88. South Shore (22 sites, first come first served) and Bear River Group campgrounds both charge a fee and sit on the water, and Bear River Lake Resort runs a marina. Open about May 15 to Oct 15.

Sources: nrm.dfg.ca.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , bearrivercampground.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , bearrivercampground.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026 , bearrivercampground.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , bearrivercampground.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , fs.usda.gov, accessed September 23, 2026

Fish at Bear River Reservoir Lower

Fishing Bear River Reservoir Lower is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout.

Mixed Trout 3 plants
Plants
3 of 3
Last stocked
August 30, 2026

Stocking history

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
August 30, 2026 Mixed Trout – – report
July 19, 2026 Mixed Trout – – report
June 7, 2026 Mixed Trout – – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes