Area Info

Also known as the Caribbean of the Rockies, Bear Lake stretches out 109 square miles and offers countless recreational opportunities, from boating to caving and everything in between!

Photo Credit: Chase-Karli Willden

Bear Lake is also located right on the Utah-Idaho border so you can set up your homebase in various places ranging from the bustling town of Garden City in Utah to the charming, laid-back community of Fish Haven in Idaho. Wherever you stay, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Bear Lake’s blue waters and the picturesque Bear Lake Valley surrounding it. Not to mention unparalleled views of the Wasatch Mountain Range on the northeast front!

Photo Credit: Nicholas D. via Flickr CC 2.0

But what makes Bear Lake that much more inviting is that it not only makes for the perfect location for a cabin rental but is also filled with a rich history that can be admired from just about any angle. From the historical sites to the lake itself, there is so much to learn about this beautiful location! So that leaves one question – why is Bear Lake called Bear Lake?

An Indigenous Beginning

Photo Credit: Picryl via Google Images CCL

To truly understand the history and origin of Bear Lake, it is important to consider just how long this area has been inhabited. Various Native American tribes have called this place home for over 12,000 years.

Some of these tribes included the Bannock, the Ute, and the Shoshone. They would navigate between the Great Salt Lake Valley and the Bear Lake Valley by following the food sources and, in doing so, avoiding harsher weather.

The tribes gathered plants to help them through the colder months and often hunted for mammals like bison, pronghorn, and deer. When they weren’t out hunting and gathering in the nearby canyons, forests, lakes, and rivers, they would frequently camp by the shores of the wide-sweeping Bear Lake. This was also a great homebase because it provided the tribes with a plentiful food source of fish like the easy-to-catch cutthroat trout.

As time went on, these tribes began to exchange goods with one another. This was an important practice because, by the early 1800s, mountain men would also make their way to the shores of Bear Lake.

The Origin Story

Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr CC 2.0

In 1818, a group of European mountain men who were trappers for the Northwest Fur Company paddled their way up the Bear River and arrived at what would eventually become Bear Lake.

One of the trappers was a Scotsman by the name of Donald McKenzie, and upon his arrival, he decided to name the lake Black Bear Lake – which was later shortened. They were here, in fact, to trap animals of this kind, so it only seemed fitting. As time passed and the mountain men continued exploring the area, the name was shortened to Bear Lake. Fur trappers and traders also called it Sweet Lake.

Whether or not this is true is one thing, but there is no denying that the Bear Lake Rendezvous of 1828, also known as the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, was one of the most iconic events in Bear Lake’s history when the Smith, Jackson, and Sublette Company chose the location as it’s first lakeside trading post.

Photo Credit: howderfamily.com via Flickr CC 2.0

Hosted at what is now Rendezvous Beach in Bear Lake State Park, nearly 10,000 American Indians and thousands of mountain men gathered during the summers of 1827 and 1828, including famous mountain men like Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger. The east side of Bear Lake became a stomping ground for fur trading, storytelling, and gambling.

As mountain men began exhausting their trapping perimeters, they continued to push west, looking for new opportunities. This led to what is known as the Oregon Trail and the Oregon Trail-Bear Lake Scenic Byway, a scenic drive that makes a great way to experience both the history and the incredible views that go with it.

Today, you can also head down to Laketown, Utah, to learn more about the lake’s rich rendezvous history.

The Legend of the Bear Lake Monster

Photo Credit: Gertan

While many Europeans and Mormon pioneers made their way through the Bear Lake Valley, no one decided to settle here until 1863. Led by Brigham Young, a group of Mormon settlers established Paris-Bear Lake’s first official community.

To do so, Young and his people worked out a peace treaty with the Native American tribes, but this was just the beginning. As time went on, more settlers made their way to the Bear Lake valley and established small towns along Bear Lake’s shore.

One of these settlers was a man by the name of Charles C. Rich. He was an apostle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was the founder of Rich County, where Bear Lake now resides. These two factors made him an icon of his time, so it was safe to say that anything he said was considered golden and irrefutable.

Home to more than just the iconic Bonneville Cisco fish, Charles C. Rich believed Bear Lake had a monster! In 1868, the Desert News published an article that included multiple eyewitness accounts from Charles C. Rich himself. He stated that he had seen what would become known as the Bear Lake Monster amongst the lake’s waters on various occasions.

Today, the Bear Lake Monster is still an iconic figure in Utah folklore. Every January, anglers and locals alike participate in the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest. This winter event includes the Cisco Disco, a fish-catch-grill extravaganza, and a polar plunge!

Home of the Famed Butch Cassidy Robbery

Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr CC 2.0

The interesting stories of Native Americans, mountain men, and the Bear Lake Monster is enough to have history buffs running to the shoreline, so the Butch Cassidy robbery is just icing on the cake.

During the summer of 1896, Butch Cassidy and his two accomplices, William Ellsworth Lay, and Henry Meeks, robbed the Bank of Montpelier. Not only was this the first bank that the gang robbed together, but it was also the first bank robbed in southeastern Idaho. To make it that much more interesting, it is the only bank Cassidy robbed still standing today.

The bank has since been restored, and you can visit it today to see where the iconic bank robber first learned to walk (or rob banks!). Stop by the Butch Cassidy Museum in Montpelier, Idaho, to stand where Cassidy once stood and relive the tale of one of Cassidy’s most famous robberies.

Fun Fact: During this robbery, the Wild Bunch Gang stole 7,000 dollars, equivalent to more than 150,000 dollars today!

A Lake Steeped in History

Photo Credit: Dmitry Yashkin

Come to enjoy the turquoise blue freshwater lake and stay awhile to experience the intriguing history of Bear Lake. This year-round destination offers plenty, including boating, mountain biking, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, snowmobiling, and historical stops.

Walk along the beach where mountain men and Native Americans once exchanged stories, spend time along the shoreline looking for the infamous Bear Lake Monster, explore the first settled community in Paris, and stand in the same spot as the iconic Butch Cassidy. The options are endless when you book a Bear Lake getaway!

Often referred to as the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’ due to its alluring turquoise waters, Bear Lake is the second-largest natural freshwater lake in the State of Utah. Covering 109 square miles from Utah across the Idaho border, it is home to four species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Around four out of every five years on average, Bear Lake ices over, setting the stage for prime ice fishing opportunities as well. Though Bear Lake has the environment to appeal to anyone in search of an outdoor adventure, anglers are especially in-store for a unique kind of paradise. Once you settle into your Bear Lake vacation rental home, we’re sure you’ll be ready to grab your rod and head to the crystal clear waters of the lake.

Here’s all you need to know about fishing at Bear Lake.

What’s Biting?

Bear Lake is open year-round and hosts four endemic fish species:

• Bonneville Cisco
• Bonneville Whitefish
• Bear Lake Whitefish
• Bear Lake Sculpin

Bear River Cutthroat Trout and Lake Trout can be found near Cisco Beach, Rainbow Cove, and the Bear Lake Marina, and carp, bluegill, smallmouth, and largemouth bass, and catfish can also be found here. Bear Lake is also home to a trophy cutthroat trout fishery where the Idaho State record cutthroat (19 lbs.) was caught. Lake Trout in Bear Lake may grow to be as large as 30 lbs.

When Are They Most Active?

The Bear Lake area is a legitimate lure for novice and seasoned anglers at any time of year, with fresh fish harvests springing up every season.

Here’s a quick look at when you expect to fish for each fish species in Bear Lake:

• The Bonneville Whitefish spawn in mid-December, luring Cutthroat close to shore as well. Whitefish remain active in the area until around mid-March.
• Bonneville Cisco spawn in late January–early February, which creates one of the best times for fishing on Bear Lake, with millions of Cisco drawing larger cutthroat and Mackinaw.
• The Bear Lake Whitefish have a month-long spawning season beginning around the end of February, continuing a run on Cutthroat and Mackinaw.
• Bear Lake Sculpin come into spawn around the end of March through mid-April.
• Bear Lake Cutthroat spawning season runs from mid-April through the end of June, creating expansive trolling grounds for inshore opportunities. Peak time for the most colorful Cutthroats runs from April through mid-June.
• The Mackinaw spawn in late October and early November, paving the way for prize fly fishing catches averaging around 5 lbs. or more.
• The once-thriving Rainbow Trout is no longer a prolific species in the Bear Lake area, but an uncommon treat rewards angling enthusiasts now and then. The fishery is on a waiting list to re-introduce this species.

Where To Cast A Line (Or Dip A Net)

Fishing from boats is a classic and favorite option of many Bear Lake anglers, but there are plenty of ways to aim for the catch of the day in these bountiful waters — and more than one method to try, as well! Your successes at fishing Bear Lake largely depend on knowing where to fish, and how to lure the catch, so here are some insider tips!

On the western shores of Bear Lake, just north of Garden City, you’ll find Bear Lake State Park and Marina — home to boat slips, a five-lane boat ramp, great trolling and ice fishing opportunities, and the annual Bear Lake Monster Winterfest event. This popular fishing competition and fundraiser is centered around the winter spawning of the Bonneville Cisco close to shore and finds many ambitious fishermen casting dip nets to pluck Cisco from the ice.

The east side of Bear Lake is also a great place to fish. Still within the State Park, you’ll discover the areas of First Point, South Eden, Cisco Beach, Rainbow Cove, and North Eden here. Trolling and jigging are popular pastimes at Rainbow Cove and Cisco Beach, where boat ramp access is also available. Tip your jigs or bait with sucker meat or Gulp minnows in white, green, and chartreuse for best results! Trollers do well using minnow-type lures, rapalas, and flatfish-off downriggers close to the bottom. For Lake Trout fly fishing, aim to visit in the late fall.

The DWR keeps the Garden City Community Pond stocked with Rainbow Trout. This three-acre pond just off Bear Lake in Garden City is a favorite hidden gem and a popular spot for anglers seeking a relatively easy catch. It’s also a great location for fly fishing in the fall. The limit is two trout.

Not far from the shores of Bear Lake, Laketown Reservoir is located in Rich County, Utah. This is a smaller reservoir and the waters aren’t very deep, but it’s a great place for a family fishing adventure. Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout are the primary species here and can be fished easily from shore using traditional baits and lures. The limit is four trout.

Local Guides And Equipment Rentals

If you’re new to fishing and would like some help finding the best spots to get a bite, there are several licensed local guides available year-round in Bear Lake. It’s also possible to hire boating equipment for every imaginable adventure on the crystal clear waters.

• Cisco Charters – (435) 994-1649 – Bryce is a licensed captain and an ex-fish biologist, and is known for regaling his guests with fascinating tales of Bear Lake. The educational tours take place on spacious pontoon boats and can be booked in advance.
• Epic Adventure Center Bear Lake – (435) 946-3742 – hire kayaks, paddleboards, and more, or book a guide if you’d rather leave the driving to the experts. Land lovers will enjoy the Can-Am side-by-side rentals that are also on offer here.
• Bear Lake Funtime Rentals – (435) 946-3200 – there is a huge range of motorized and non-motorized boats on offer for hire here, and rentals can be made for as little as two hours and as much as eight hours. Beach wheelchairs can also be hired here, too.
• Bear Lake Rentals – (435) 946-8611 – choose from three boat sizes that seat between ten and 18 people. All three options are powerful enough to pull tubes and other water toys.

Licensing And Fishing Regulations

Anglers in possession of a valid Utah fishing, combination hunting license, OR a valid Idaho fishing license can fish anywhere on Bear Lake. On the Utah side of the lake, you can use two fishing poles per fisherman, but the use of two rods by one person on the Idaho side of the lake requires a special permit. If you are fishing from a boat from the Idaho side of the lake, you must also have a current Idaho Invasive Species Fund sticker on your watercraft.

Buy your license online and review current regulations in detail at wildlife.utah.gov. You can also purchase your fishing license(s) in person through local vendors or the Idaho Fish and Game and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) offices. You can even display and use your licenses on your mobile device for convenience. License pricing varies based on residency, length of permit time requested, and age. Nonresidents can expect to pay $24 – $40 for three or seven-day fishing permits. For all local, up-to-date fishing information, check the latest fishing report.

All You Need to Know About Bear Lake Fishing

Bear Lake is a fisher’s paradise with plenty of fish biting year-round. Whether you’re looking to hook a yellow perch, crappie, or a host of other species, you’re almost guaranteed a big catch here.