Bear Lake (Spokane County)

This lake is part of Bear Lake County Park off Highway US-2. This is a juvenile fishing rules lake: only juveniles (under age 15), senior anglers, or anglers with a disability who have a designated harvester companion card are allowed to fish. This lake has largemouth bass, perch, and rainbow trout. Bear Lake is stocked annually with broodstock, put-grow-and-take, and catchable size rainbows. Channel catfish are periodically stocked which provides a good fishery.

NOTE: Anglers will not be able to access this lake for most of 2024. Spokane County will be closing Bear Lake County Park for renovations April 1, and the park will remain closed until the first week in November. 

Two-pole fishing is NOT allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Most of the lake is accessible to shoreline angling.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Spokane
Acreage: 29.50 ac.
Elevation: 1862 ft.
Center: 47.925425, -117.355156
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Fishing resources

Catchable fish plants
Release Location: BEAR LK (SPOK)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Apr 6, 2018 Rainbow 1,500 2.77 FORD HATCHERY
Apr 3, 2017 Rainbow 1,366 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 3, 2017 Rainbow 635 2.4 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 21, 2016 Rainbow 55 0.25 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 18, 2016 Rainbow 2 2.7 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2015 Rainbow 1,404 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 14, 2015 Rainbow 1,632 2.4 FORD HATCHERY
Mar 26, 2015 Rainbow 150 0.25 SPOKANE HATCHERY
May 9, 2014 Rainbow 500 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Apr 8, 2014 Rainbow 1,000 2.5 SPOKANE HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Yellow perch

Yellow Perch can be caught year-round. Fishing is best in the summer after they finish spawning in April-May. Fish can be readily angled through the summer from both the shore and boat. Catch begins to decline in the fall as water temperatures cool and fish move offshore forcing anglers to pursue them in boats. Successful fishing for Yellow Perch in the winter involves either targeting schools in deep water from boats or through the ice.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Bear Lake
Photo by WDFW