Fishing Big Bear Lake
Important changes in 1959 regulations were adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission on February 27th, mainly with regard to a reduction in limit allowed.
Beginning April 4, 1959, the daily bag and possession limit on trout during the summer season will be ten fish rather than fifteen as it has been for many years past. During the winter season the trout limit will be five fish. This change applies in all of southern California an in most of the rest of the state except for ten northern counties.
Regulations applying to Big Bear Lake and the San Bernardino Mountain area are as follows:
SEASONS: There is no closed season on any game fish in Southern California.
DAILY BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
TROUT: - From May 2 through October 31, tem trout, but not to exceed ten pounds and one fish. From November 1 to the day before summer trout season opens, five trout, but not to exceed ten pounds and one fish.
LARGEMOUTH BASS – Five regardless of size.
CRAPPIE AND BLUEGILL - No limit, but none to be wasted.
BAIT RESTRICTIONS: No fish or part of any fish except salmon eggs, dead or alive, may be used for bait in any lake or stream in the San Bernardino Mountains. It is unlawful to use liver of the flesh of any bird or mammal for trout bait.
LICENSE FEES: To Fish for trout, a California resident needs a $3.00 resident license and two $1.00 sport fishing license stamps, for a total cost of $5.00.
To fish for trout, a non-resident of California needs either (1) a $10.00 year-long license and two $1.00 sport fishing license stamps, for a total of $12.00,or (2) a special $3.00 ten-day license and two $1.00 sport fishing license stamps, for a total of $5.00.
Angling hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Chumming and fishing with two poles are prohibited. Angling licenses are required for every citizen over 16 years of age, service men not exempt, and any boat placed on the lake must be licensed.
