Bear Lake Fish Stocking
RICH County, Utah · 1979–2026 on record
According to Utah DWR — Fish Stocking Report, Bear Lake was last stocked May 5, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout. Bear Lake has 1,219 stocking records on file, spanning 1979–2026, with about 18,038,672 fish stocked over that period.
When Bear Lake is stocked
Bear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April — 321 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bear Lake
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in RICH County, Utah.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Bear Lake, they typically congregate in schools near public access points, boat ramps, or inlets for the first 24 to 48 hours while adjusting to natural water conditions.
Since Bear Lake was last stocked May 5, 2026, anglers visiting within 1 to 2 weeks of a reported event generally experience the highest activity before fish disperse into deeper cover.
State Regulations & Licensing
- •Fishing License: A valid Utah freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Utah license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Utah fish & wildlife agency.Official Utah regulations guidebook →
- •Ethical Conservation: Use barbless hooks and keep fish submerged in water during unhooking.Trout Thermal Advisory: When water temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C), released trout face severe mortality from thermal exhaustion. Target warmwater species or fish early in the morning when lakes and streams warm up.
Recommended Tackle & Presentations
Techniques tailored to the species stocked in Bear Lake:
Stocked Trout Tactics
Use light 4–6 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Float scented dough bait (PowerBait) 12–18" off bottom using a sliding slip-sinker rig with a size 14–16 treble hook. For active casting, throw 1/16 to 1/8 oz inline spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) or small spoons (Kastmaster) along drop-offs.
Cutthroat Trout Profile Tips
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Lake Trout Profile Tips
Typically targeted by deep trolling or jigging; older individuals can be true trophies given the species' slow growth and long lifespan.
Recommended Tackle for Bear Lake
Field-tested tackle and presentations matched to the species stocked here.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
Hatchery-raised trout are conditioned to pelleted scents; scented dough floated 12–18 inches off bottom consistently triggers strikes.
Panther Martin Classic Teardrop Inline Spinner
The heavy convex blade spins instantly upon retrieval, sending vibration through the water that triggers aggressive reaction bites along drop-offs.
Sliding Sinker & Treble Hook Rigging Kit
Sliding egg sinkers allow cautious trout to run with bait without feeling line drag, while size 14–16 treble hooks keep dough bait securely pinned.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Nearby stocked waters
Other stocked waters near Bear Lake, freshest activity first.
Laketown Reservoir
13 miRICH County · 3 species · 54 records
Last stocked July 2026
Tony Grove Lake
18 miCACHE County · 1 species · 361 records
Last stocked July 2026
Smithfield Creek
23 miCACHE County · 3 species · 147 records
Last stocked June 2026
Little Creek Reservoir
23 miRICH County · 1 species · 198 records
Last stocked April 2026
Garden City Pond
5 mi4 species · 87 records
Last stocked October 2024
Swan Creek
6 mi2 species · 17 records
Last stocked September 2020
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 18,896 | 7.77" | Utah DWR |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 4,326 | 7.44" | Utah DWR |
| May 5, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,335 | 7.76" | Utah DWR |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 17,873 | 7.8" | Utah DWR |
| May 4, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,478 | 7.64" | Utah DWR |
| April 28, 2026 | Cutthroat Trout | 8,926 | 7.77" | Utah DWR |
| November 12, 2025 | Lake Trout | 21,189 | 5.64" | Utah DWR |
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 14,165 | 8.56" | Utah DWR |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 27,409 | 8.54" | Utah DWR |
| June 24, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,882 | 8.74" | Utah DWR |
| June 23, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 24,980 | 8.62" | Utah DWR |
| June 23, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,452 | 8.47" | Utah DWR |
| May 21, 2025 | Cutthroat Trout | 7,138 | 7.19" | Utah DWR |
| November 13, 2024 | Lake Trout | 15,187 | 5.49" | Utah DWR |
| May 1, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 5,716 | 7.12" | Utah DWR |
| April 30, 2024 | Cutthroat Trout | 101,384 | 7.12" | Utah DWR |
| November 21, 2023 | Lake Trout | 17,058 | 5.7" | Utah DWR |
| May 9, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 50,825 | 6.75" | Utah DWR |
| May 8, 2023 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,175 | 6.75" | Utah DWR |
| November 14, 2022 | Lake Trout | 19,263 | 6.03" | Utah DWR |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,490 | 7.07" | Utah DWR |
| May 10, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 28,014 | 6.77" | Utah DWR |
| May 9, 2022 | Cutthroat Trout | 55,660 | 6.77" | Utah DWR |
| November 15, 2021 | Lake Trout | 36,103 | 4.93" | Utah DWR |
| May 12, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 28,213 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| May 12, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 6,764 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| May 11, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,460 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| May 11, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 56,115 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| May 10, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 12,460 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| May 10, 2021 | Cutthroat Trout | 53,400 | 6.85" | Utah DWR |
| November 9, 2020 | Lake Trout | 23,579 | 5.95" | Utah DWR |
| November 4, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 21,525 | 3.01" | Utah DWR |
| July 28, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,905 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 28, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,160 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 28, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 13,869 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 44,954 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 15,525 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 22,080 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 2020 | Cutthroat Trout | 16,560 | 7.45" | Utah DWR |
| November 21, 2019 | Lake Trout | 12,159 | 5.95" | Utah DWR |
| November 12, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 20,370 | 3.01" | Utah DWR |
| May 16, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,989 | 7.35" | Utah DWR |
| May 15, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 41,242 | 7.35" | Utah DWR |
| May 14, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,809 | 7.35" | Utah DWR |
| May 14, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 10,094 | 7.35" | Utah DWR |
| May 13, 2019 | Cutthroat Trout | 40,376 | 7.35" | Utah DWR |
| November 12, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 25,300 | 2.96" | Utah DWR |
| May 10, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 11,473 | 7.4" | Utah DWR |
| May 9, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,651 | 7.4" | Utah DWR |
| May 8, 2018 | Cutthroat Trout | 23,263 | 7.4" | Utah DWR |
Showing 50 of 500 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bear Lake last stocked?
According to Utah DWR — Fish Stocking Report, Bear Lake was last stocked May 5, 2026 with Cutthroat Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bear Lake?
Bear Lake is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What time of year is Bear Lake stocked?
Bear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in April.
How often is Bear Lake stocked?
Bear Lake has been stocked about 25 times a year — 1,219 recorded stockings between 1979 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Bear Lake?
About 18,038,672 fish have been stocked in Bear Lake across 1,219 recorded events since 1979, per Utah fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Bear Lake?
Fish stocked in Bear Lake average about 7.0 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bear Lake?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Utah freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Utah fish & wildlife agency for site-specific rules, bag limits, or stamps.
How do you catch stocked trout in Bear Lake?
Freshly stocked trout in Bear Lake typically respond well to floating dough bait (such as PowerBait) floated 12–18 inches off bottom on light 4–6 lb leader, live nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small inline spinners or spoons retrieved along shorelines and drop-offs.