Bear Lake Fish Stocking
Spokane County, Washington · 1995–2026 on record
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bear Lake was last stocked June 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout. Bear Lake has 124 stocking records on file, spanning 1995–2026, with about 138,499 fish stocked over that period.
When Bear Lake is stocked
Bear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May — 56 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 Spokane County, Washington.
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 June 11, 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 Washington freshwater fishing license is required for anglers age 16 and older.Purchase Washington license online →
- •Official Rules & Limits: Bag limits, bait restrictions, and seasonal boundaries are set by Washington fish & wildlife agency.Official Washington 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.
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.
Channel Catfish Profile Tips
Popular with bait anglers using cut bait, worms, or prepared 'stink bait'; often stocked specifically for summer evening fishing.
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.
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 Lake, freshest activity first.
Spring Creek
7 miKlickitat County · 1 species · 29 records
Last stocked July 2026
Loon Lake
15 miStevens County · 5 species · 162 records
Last stocked June 2026
Mccabe Pond
13 miKittitas County · 2 species · 155 records
Last stocked May 2026
Newman Lake
16 miSpokane County · 5 species · 63 records
Last stocked May 2026
Homestead Lake
15 miGrant County · 3 species · 85 records
Last stocked April 2026
Fan Lake
9 miPend Oreille County · 1 species · 34 records
Last stocked March 2026
Stocking history
Most recent stockings first. Dates shown at the precision the agency reported.
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 18, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 2,292 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 11, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | 709 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 185 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 5,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
Show 42 more stocking records →
| Date | Species | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 3,002 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 28, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 10, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 502 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 24, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 393 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 19, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 1,218 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 18, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 300 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 341 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 9, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,508 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 8, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 268 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 15, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| June 10, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 280 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 26, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 175 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 24, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 481 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 29, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 375 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 25, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 1,001 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 11, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 493 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 30, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 31, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| March 17, 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 292 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 15, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 352 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 8, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 100 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 17, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 1,002 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 5, 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 150 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 17, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 92 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 97 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 7, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 85 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 30 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 660 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 1, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 840 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 6, 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 130 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 28, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 98 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 12, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 1,366 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| April 3, 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 635 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
| May 13, 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 321 | Washington fish & wildlife agency |
The reporting agency did not include fish sizes for this water.
Showing 50 of 124 stocking records.
Frequently asked
When was Bear Lake last stocked?
According to Washington fish & wildlife agency, Bear Lake was last stocked June 11, 2026 with Rainbow Trout.
What fish species are stocked in Bear Lake?
Bear Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Channel Catfish, and Brown Trout.
What time of year is Bear Lake stocked?
Bear Lake is typically stocked in spring, most often in May.
How often is Bear Lake stocked?
Bear Lake has been stocked about 4 times a year — 124 recorded stockings between 1995 and 2026.
How many fish have been stocked in Bear Lake?
About 138,499 fish have been stocked in Bear Lake across 124 recorded events since 1995, per Washington fish & wildlife agency.
Do you need a fishing license to fish Bear Lake?
Yes, all anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid Washington freshwater fishing license. Always review current regulations from Washington 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.