Muskellunge Stocked · 16 plants · last October 2025 Best: dawn, dusk Bear Lake fishing
Bear Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye and Muskellunge on a natural lake. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Northern Pike, and 4 more. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in June and October. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Crappie, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, and Bluegill.
- Last stocked
- October 2025
- Muskellunge
- Plants on record
- 23
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 2 (+10 also recorded)
- Average size
- 5.8 in
- Elevation
- 1,316 ft
Fish at Bear Lake
Muskellunge Stocked · 16 plants · last October 2025 Best: dawn, dusk 
Walleye Stocked · 7 plants · last June 2023 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide Sunfish Confirmed present
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Crappie species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide
Brown Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Brown Bullhead species guide Grass Pickerel Confirmed present
Bear Lake provides angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge and several species of panfish. Species found here include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, yellow perch, and brown bullhead. Over 70% of the Bear Lake's shoreline is wetland, which provides excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish. (dec.ny.gov, accessed October 5, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Bear Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2020.
Fish stocked in 2011
2,850
Fish stocked in 2012
550
Fish stocked in 2013
2,850
Fish stocked in 2014
550
Fish stocked in 2015
2,850
Fish stocked in 2016
550
Fish stocked in 2017
2,865
Fish stocked in 2018
550
Fish stocked in 2019
2,880
Fish stocked in 2021
3,894
Fish stocked in 2022
83,010
Fish stocked in 2023
2,850
Fish stocked in 2024
550
Fish stocked in 2025
550
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.3 in | report |
| October 2024 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.5 in | report |
| October 2023 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.5 in | report |
| June 2023 | Walleye | 2,300 | 1.3 in | report |
| October 2022 | Muskellunge | 410 | 9 in | report |
| July 2022 | Muskellunge | 5,000 | 1.5 in | report |
| May 2022 | Muskellunge | 77,600 | 0.5 in | report |
| October 2021 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.8 in | report |
| June 2021 | Walleye | 3,344 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 2019 | Muskellunge | 550 | 9.1 in | report |
| June 2019 | Walleye | 2,330 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 2018 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.4 in | report |
| October 2017 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.6 in | report |
| June 2017 | Walleye | 2,315 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 2016 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.7 in | report |
| October 2015 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.5 in | report |
| June 2015 | Walleye | 2,300 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 2014 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.6 in | report |
| October 2013 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.2 in | report |
| June 2013 | Walleye | 2,300 | 1.5 in | report |
| October 2012 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.8 in | report |
| October 2011 | Muskellunge | 550 | 8.1 in | report |
| June 2011 | Walleye | 2,300 | 1.7 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Stockton
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping, dock
Kettle lake north of the Village of Stockton; about 70% of its shoreline is wetland. DEC hand launch with a wheelchair-accessible dock and a small lot on Bear Lake Road; DEC data also lists a marina with boat rental. Oxygen runs low below 12 to 15 feet from June to September.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.
About Bear Lake
Anglers should note that the lake experiences oxygen depletion below depths of 12 - 15 feet from June-September. (dec.ny.gov, accessed October 5, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Bear Lake?
Fishing Bear Lake usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 16 of 23 plants on record, ahead of Walleye. Muskellunge was last stocked October 2025, averaging 7.6 in. Walleye was last stocked June 2023, averaging 1.5 in. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, and Yellow Perch, plus 6 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Bear Lake stocked?
Last stocked October 2025. It is stocked about 1.5 times a year since 2011, most often in June and October. No plants recorded in 2020.
How big are the fish stocked at Bear Lake?
Stocked fish average 5.8 in. Muskellunge average 7.6 in. Walleye average 1.5 in.
How do you get on Bear Lake?
There is a boat ramp and it is ADA accessible. The nearest town is Stockton. Facilities include camping and dock. Kettle lake north of the Village of Stockton; about 70% of its shoreline is wetland. DEC hand launch with a wheelchair-accessible dock and a small lot on Bear Lake Road; DEC data also lists a marina with boat rental. Oxygen runs low below 12 to 15 feet from June to September.