Bear Lake fishing

Fishing at Bear Lake has Walleye, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Crappie, and 2 more on the stocking report. 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 and Northern Pike.

Last stocked

October 1, 2025

Plants on record

23

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

5.8 in

Elevation

1,316 ft

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes
Facilities
camping

A 114-acre Chautauqua County lake with a marina, boat rental, and campsites; DEC also lists a separate hand-launch access point on the north shore.

Sources: shore_notes , access , facilities , fishing_notes

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How Bear Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of June. In 2025 it was October 1, 2025, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2020.

Fish at Bear Lake

Fishing Bear Lake is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 16 of 23 plants on record, ahead of Walleye.

Muskellunge 16 plants
Plants
16 of 23
Last stocked
October 1, 2025
Average length
7.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Walleye 7 plants
Plants
7 of 23
Last stocked
June 1, 2023
Average length
1.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Fishing Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a lake located by McKeever, New York, and it provides various fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to find brook trout in its waters. Additionally, fish species present in the lake include white sucker, sunfish, and brown bullhead. Access to Bear Lake is available via a trail off-road east of McKeever.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,8502011
  • 5502012
  • 2,8502013
  • 5502014
  • 2,8502015
  • 5502016
  • 2,8652017
  • 5502018
  • 2,8802019
  • 3,8942021
  • 83,0102022
  • 2,8502023
  • 5502024
  • 5502025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 23 plants Showing 23 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 1, 2025 Muskellunge 550 8.3 in report
October 1, 2024 Muskellunge 550 8.5 in report
October 1, 2023 Muskellunge 550 8.5 in report
June 1, 2023 Walleye 2,300 1.3 in report
October 1, 2022 Muskellunge 410 9 in report
July 1, 2022 Muskellunge 5,000 1.5 in report
May 1, 2022 Muskellunge 77,600 0.5 in report
October 1, 2021 Muskellunge 550 8.8 in report
June 1, 2021 Walleye 3,344 1.5 in report
October 1, 2019 Muskellunge 550 9.1 in report
June 1, 2019 Walleye 2,330 1.5 in report
October 1, 2018 Muskellunge 550 8.4 in report
October 1, 2017 Muskellunge 550 8.6 in report
June 1, 2017 Walleye 2,315 1.5 in report
October 1, 2016 Muskellunge 550 8.7 in report
October 1, 2015 Muskellunge 550 8.5 in report
June 1, 2015 Walleye 2,300 1.5 in report
October 1, 2014 Muskellunge 550 8.6 in report
October 1, 2013 Muskellunge 550 8.2 in report
June 1, 2013 Walleye 2,300 1.5 in report
October 1, 2012 Muskellunge 550 8.8 in report
October 1, 2011 Muskellunge 550 8.1 in report
June 1, 2011 Walleye 2,300 1.7 in report
Show 8 more plants Show less

Species found here

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

  • Smallmouth Bass : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Largemouth Bass : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Sunfish : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Yellow Perch : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Crappie : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)
  • Northern Pike : Listed among the species present by NY DEC's Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds dataset. (source)

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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