What fish are at Bear Lake?

Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 14 of 34 plants on record, ahead of Bluegill and 4 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked June 30, 2024. Bluegill was last stocked June 30, 2023. Sunshine Bass was last stocked June 30, 2018. Crappie was last stocked June 30, 2015. 2 more species are on the stocking report.

Bear Lake fishing

Fishing at Bear Lake has Channel Catfish, Sunshine Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and Threadfin Shad on the stocking report. It is stocked about 2.1 times a year since 2009, most often in June. Species guides list dusk and night for Channel Catfish, dawn, dusk, and night for Crappie, and dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill.

Last stocked

June 30, 2024

Plants on record

Since 2009

Species recorded

Elevation

123.7 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Bear Lake?: Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 14 of 34 plants on record, ahead of Bluegill and 4 more. Channel Catfish was last stocked June 30, 2024. Bluegill was last stocked June 30, 2023. Sunshine Bass was last stocked June 30, 2018. Crappie was last stocked June 30, 2015. 2 more species are on the stocking report.
When is Bear Lake stocked?: Last stocked June 30, 2024. It is stocked about 2.1 times a year since 2009, most often in June. The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of June. In 2024 it was June 30, 2024, about when it usually is. No plants recorded in 2019.
Which lakes near Bear Lake were stocked more recently?: Hurricane Lake (6.7 mi), Karick Lake (11.2 mi), Yellow River (14.4 mi), Twin Hills Park Lake (17.3 mi), and Blackwater River (20.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Hurricane Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Threadfin Shad, and Redear Sunfish, Karick Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and Threadfin Shad, Yellow River is also stocked with Sunshine Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish, Twin Hills Park Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish, and Blackwater River is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Sunshine Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish.

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How Bear Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the last week of June. In 2024 it was June 30, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2019.

Hurricane Lake (6.7 mi), Karick Lake (11.2 mi), Yellow River (14.4 mi), Twin Hills Park Lake (17.3 mi), and Blackwater River (20.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Hurricane Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Threadfin Shad, and Redear Sunfish, Karick Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and Threadfin Shad, Yellow River is also stocked with Sunshine Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish, Twin Hills Park Lake is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish, and Blackwater River is also stocked with Channel Catfish, Sunshine Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish.

Fish at Bear Lake

Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish accounts for 14 of 34 plants on record, ahead of Bluegill and 4 more.

Channel Catfish 14 plants

Plants: 14 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Channel Catfish guide.

Bluegill 8 plants

Plants: 8 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2023

Seasons and rigs are on the Bluegill guide.

Sunshine Bass 5 plants

Plants: 5 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2018

Crappie 4 plants

Plants: 4 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2015

Seasons and rigs are on the Crappie guide.

Threadfin Shad 2 plants

Plants: 2 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2021

Redear Sunfish 1 plant

Plants: 1 of 34
Last stocked: June 30, 2015

Seasons and rigs are on the Redear Sunfish guide.

Fish stocked per year

4,5002009
2,7002010
6,5132011
19,7642012
50,6002013
4,6852014
22,8022015
17,9512016
4,0382017
41,0002018
20,1552020
11,8112021
11,3602022
22,6102023
5,9002024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 34 plants Showing 34 plants

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
June 30, 2024	Channel Catfish	5,900	–	report
June 30, 2023	Channel Catfish	110	–	report
June 30, 2023	Bluegill	22,500	–	report
June 30, 2022	Bluegill	11,360	–	report
June 30, 2021	Threadfin Shad	7,500	–	report
June 30, 2021	Channel Catfish	4,311	–	report
June 30, 2020	Channel Catfish	4,855	–	report
June 30, 2020	Bluegill	15,300	–	report
June 30, 2018	Sunshine Bass	2,000	–	report
June 30, 2018	Bluegill	39,000	–	report
June 30, 2017	Sunshine Bass	2,000	–	report
June 30, 2017	Channel Catfish	2,038	–	report
June 30, 2016	Channel Catfish	1,891	–	report
June 30, 2016	Threadfin Shad	5,000	–	report
June 30, 2016	Bluegill	500	–	report
June 30, 2016	Bluegill	10,560	–	report
June 30, 2015	Crappie	10,000	–	report
June 30, 2015	Channel Catfish	2,802	–	report
June 30, 2015	Redear Sunfish	5,000	–	report
June 30, 2015	Bluegill	5,000	–	report
June 30, 2014	Channel Catfish	2,481	–	report
June 30, 2014	Sunshine Bass	2,204	–	report
June 30, 2013	Crappie	47,800	–	report
June 30, 2013	Channel Catfish	2,800	–	report
June 30, 2012	Crappie	5,830	–	report
June 30, 2012	Channel Catfish	4,124	–	report
June 30, 2012	Channel Catfish	4,280	–	report
June 30, 2012	Sunshine Bass	3,530	–	report
June 30, 2012	Bluegill	2,000	–	report
June 30, 2011	Crappie	5,350	–	report
June 30, 2011	Channel Catfish	1,163	–	report
June 30, 2010	Channel Catfish	2,700	–	report
June 30, 2009	Sunshine Bass	2,000	–	report
June 30, 2009	Channel Catfish	2,500	–	report

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Species stocked here

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