Bear River Fish Stocking
SUMMIT County, Utah · 1970–2026 on record
According to Utah DWR — Fish Stocking Report, Bear River was last stocked June 30, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Bear River has 217 stocking records on file, spanning 1970–2026, with about 742,755 fish stocked over that period.
When Bear River is stocked
Bear River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July — 96 stocking events in that peak month.
Angler's Field Guide
Fishing Tips & Stocking Guide for Bear River
Practical advice on fish behavior, recommended tackle, and state regulations for anglers fishing in SUMMIT County, Utah.
Post-Plant Behavior & Timing
Hatchery-raised fish are conditioned to pelleted feed and open raceways. Following a release into Bear River, 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 River was last stocked June 30, 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 River:
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.
Catfish Rigging
Fish a Carolina slip-sinker bottom rig with a 1/2 to 1 oz egg sinker, swivel, and 1/0–3/0 circle hook. Baits such as chicken liver, cut baitfish (shad), nightcrawlers, and stink baits produce best during early morning, dusk, or night in deeper holes.
Rainbow Trout Profile Tips
The most commonly targeted stocked trout in the country, taken on bait, spinners, and flies alike; a common first fish for new anglers.
Tiger Trout Profile Tips
Known for hitting lures and flies aggressively; a favorite for anglers seeking a distinctive, hard-fighting stocked trout.
Recommended Tackle for Bear River
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.
Heavy Duty Offset Circle Hooks (1/0–3/0)
Circle hooks naturally turn into the corner of a catfish's jaw as it turns, preventing gut-hooking and improving hookup rates.
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 River, freshest activity first.
Whitney Reservoir
21 miSUMMIT County · 5 species · 235 records
Last stocked July 2026
Lily Lake Br 11
21 miSUMMIT County · 2 species · 120 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lost Creek Reservoir
19 miMORGAN County · 6 species · 365 records
Last stocked June 2026
Beaver Lake Br 10
21 miSUMMIT County · 3 species · 59 records
Last stocked June 2026
Deadman Creek
19 mi2 species · 5 records
Last stocked May 2023
Tomahawk
23 mi1 species · 10 records
Last stocked July 2019
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 99 | 10.5" | Utah DWR |
| April 29, 2026 | Tiger Trout | 998 | 2.45" | Utah DWR |
| July 3, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 247 | 10.52" | Utah DWR |
| June 23, 2025 | Tiger Trout | 1,400 | 6.3" | Utah DWR |
| August 2, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 101 | 12.13" | Utah DWR |
| July 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 102 | 11.26" | Utah DWR |
| July 3, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 53 | 11.26" | Utah DWR |
| August 1, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 50 | 10" | Utah DWR |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 19, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.07" | Utah DWR |
| July 5, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 98 | 10.07" | Utah DWR |
| August 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 122 | 10.14" | Utah DWR |
| July 7, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 124 | 9.32" | Utah DWR |
| June 14, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 170 | 9.32" | Utah DWR |
| August 10, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 102 | 8.94" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 102 | 11.99" | Utah DWR |
| July 14, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 151 | 9.52" | Utah DWR |
| July 2, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 9.21" | Utah DWR |
| August 12, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 101 | 10.52" | Utah DWR |
| July 29, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 101 | 9.63" | Utah DWR |
| July 16, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 10" | Utah DWR |
| July 10, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 149 | 10.12" | Utah DWR |
| July 30, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 99 | 9.77" | Utah DWR |
| July 19, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 101 | 10.21" | Utah DWR |
| July 2, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 148 | 9.64" | Utah DWR |
| June 21, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 151 | 9.64" | Utah DWR |
| July 31, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.68" | Utah DWR |
| July 17, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.98" | Utah DWR |
| July 5, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | 10.6" | Utah DWR |
| June 27, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 399 | 10.03" | Utah DWR |
| August 2, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | 10.74" | Utah DWR |
| July 28, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 149 | 10.74" | Utah DWR |
| July 19, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 99 | 10.86" | Utah DWR |
| July 6, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | 11.37" | Utah DWR |
| September 13, 2007 | Channel Catfish | 30,000 | 3" | Utah DWR |
| September 13, 2006 | Channel Catfish | 30,000 | 3" | Utah DWR |
| September 13, 2005 | Channel Catfish | 30,000 | 3" | Utah DWR |
| June 20, 2000 | Rainbow Trout | 249 | 19.84" | Utah DWR |
| August 2, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 257 | 9.8" | Utah DWR |
| July 30, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 287 | 9.44" | Utah DWR |
| July 20, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 251 | 9.35" | Utah DWR |
| July 12, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 251 | 9.75" | Utah DWR |
| July 8, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 342 | 9.79" | Utah DWR |
| July 2, 1999 | Rainbow Trout | 244 | 10.24" | Utah DWR |
| September 4, 1998 | Channel Catfish | 30,004 | 3.7" | Utah DWR |
| August 12, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 249 | 9.17" | Utah DWR |
| July 27, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8.97" | Utah DWR |
| July 22, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 320 | 8.97" | Utah DWR |
| July 16, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | 8.97" | Utah DWR |
| July 1, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 249 | 9.75" | Utah DWR |
| June 24, 1998 | Rainbow Trout | 249 | 9.75" | Utah DWR |
Showing 50 of 217 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bear River last stocked?
According to Utah DWR — Fish Stocking Report, Bear River was last stocked June 30, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bear River?
Bear River is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout, Channel Catfish, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Bear River stocked?
Bear River is typically stocked in summer, most often in July.
How often is Bear River stocked?
Bear River has been stocked about 4 times a year — 217 recorded stockings between 1970 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Bear River?
About 742,755 fish have been stocked in Bear River across 217 recorded events since 1970, per Utah fish & wildlife agency.
What size are the fish stocked in Bear River?
Fish stocked in Bear River average about 8.9 inches, based on the sizes the agency reported.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bear River?
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 River?
Freshly stocked trout in Bear River 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.