Bear Lake fishing

Fishing at Bear Lake has Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 1990, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout and Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

December 2, 2024

Plants on record

56

Since 1990

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

29

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How Bear Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of June. In 2024 it was December 2, 2024, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023.

About 1,933 reported fish per acre, 5th most of 9 lakes in Delta County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Banana Lake (0.7 mi) and Gooseneck Lake (2.4 mi) were stocked more recently. Banana Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Bear Lake

Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Brook Trout. Brook Trout accounts for 53 of 56 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and one more.

Around the dates Bear Lake is stocked, Open-Meteo's 2016-2025 archive puts mean air temperature at 48.3°F in October, 34.9°F in November, 37.8°F in April, 62°F in June. That is air temperature at these coordinates, not water temperature. Open-Meteo

Brook Trout 53 plants
Plants
53 of 56
Last stocked
December 2, 2024

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 2 plants
Plants
2 of 56
Last stocked
June 16, 1997

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 56
Last stocked
June 16, 1997

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,9001990
  • 3,1501991
  • 4,6001992
  • 2,6001993
  • 3,3001994
  • 3,0001995
  • 4,9561996
  • 2,8981997
  • 3,0001998
  • 3,0001999
  • 1,9002000
  • 2,3002001
  • 2,5002002
  • 2,0742003
  • 1,6972004
  • 1,6952005
  • 2,0002006
  • 1,4972007
  • 1,9402008
  • 2,6642009
  • 4402010
  • 1002011
  • 2002012
  • 852014
  • 1002016
  • 1012018
  • 702019
  • 1052020
  • 552022
  • 1162024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 56 plants Showing 56 plants

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
December 2, 2024 Brook Trout 116 – report
November 28, 2022 Brook Trout 55 – report
December 21, 2020 Brook Trout 105 – report
November 26, 2019 Brook Trout 70 – report
October 26, 2018 Brook Trout 101 – report
November 18, 2016 Brook Trout 100 – report
October 23, 2014 Brook Trout 85 – report
December 3, 2012 Brook Trout 200 – report
November 8, 2011 Brook Trout 100 – report
October 13, 2010 Brook Trout 148 – report
October 13, 2010 Brook Trout 292 – report
November 5, 2009 Brook Trout 299 – report
November 5, 2009 Brook Trout 299 – report
April 24, 2009 Brook Trout 69 – report
April 24, 2009 Brook Trout 399 – report
April 24, 2009 Brook Trout 1,598 – report
November 25, 2008 Brook Trout 100 – report
November 25, 2008 Brook Trout 200 – report
April 28, 2008 Brook Trout 42 – report
April 28, 2008 Brook Trout 1,598 – report
April 19, 2007 Brook Trout 1,497 – report
November 21, 2006 Brook Trout 600 – report
April 17, 2006 Brook Trout 1,400 – report
April 20, 2005 Brook Trout 1,695 – report
April 27, 2004 Brook Trout 1,697 – report
November 26, 2003 Brook Trout 88 – report
November 26, 2003 Brook Trout 59 – report
November 20, 2003 Brook Trout 230 – report
May 12, 2003 Brook Trout 1,697 – report
October 16, 2002 Brook Trout 500 – report
June 25, 2002 Brook Trout 300 – report
May 15, 2002 Brook Trout 1,700 – report
September 26, 2001 Brook Trout 600 – report
May 31, 2001 Brook Trout 1,700 – report
June 5, 2000 Brook Trout 100 – report
June 5, 2000 Brook Trout 100 – report
April 19, 2000 Brook Trout 1,700 – report
October 5, 1999 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
June 17, 1999 Brook Trout 400 – report
October 29, 1998 Brook Trout 3,000 – report
October 20, 1997 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
June 16, 1997 Brook Trout 2 – report
June 16, 1997 Brown Trout 35 – report
June 16, 1997 Rainbow Trout 261 – report
October 15, 1996 Brook Trout 3,000 – report
June 25, 1996 Rainbow Trout 1,956 – report
October 17, 1995 Brook Trout 3,000 – report
November 2, 1994 Brook Trout 3,000 – report
May 27, 1994 Brook Trout 300 – report
October 6, 1993 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
October 1, 1992 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
June 29, 1992 Brook Trout 2,000 – report
October 8, 1991 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
June 13, 1991 Brook Trout 550 – report
October 8, 1990 Brook Trout 2,600 – report
May 31, 1990 Brook Trout 1,300 – 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.

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