Big Bear Lake

CA

Mountain lake at 6,750 ft with pontoon rentals and pine-shaded camping.

34.240°N 116.900°W6,869 ft
BoatingCampingFishingPaddlingRV
Today61°FMostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers · low 38°F
Wind10 mphS · NWS

Photo: H.G. Judd · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Big Bear LakePartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on Big Bear LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Big Bear LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Big Bear LakeBoatsetter · partner link→
Guides for Big Bear LakeBoat rentals →Camping →Fishing →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Elevation
6,869 ft
Boat ramps
1
Campgrounds
3
Fish species
1

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Boat ramp

· 1.1 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Big Bear Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

Pineknot Campground

USFS · USFS
· 1.0 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Buttercup Group Camp

· 1.2 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Buttercup Group Campground

· 1.3 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Big Bear Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

What's biting

Fishing by month

Native lives here naturallyWild introduced, reproduces on its ownStocked planted by the state
SpeciesOriginJFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow troutLast stocked Oct 4, 2026 Stocked

Lighter is slow, darker is peak. The outlined column is this month. "Reported" means only one verified catch record so far.

Guided trips

Book a fishing charter

Half-day and full-day trips with gear and local know-how.

Affiliate links
Recent stocking
  • TroutOct 4, 2026
  • TroutSep 27, 2026
  • TroutSep 20, 2026
  • TroutJul 26, 2026
  • TroutJul 12, 2026
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule

Gear for these fish

Partner links

Rainbow trout

Fly rods, reels and fliesTrident Fly Fishing→Fiberglass fly rods and kitsEpic Fly Rods→Spoons, spinners and minnow luresRapala→

For every angler

Landing nets and fly boxesEGO Fishing→Sun-protective fishing shirtsHook & Tackle→Fishing shirts, shorts and vestsColumbia→

Fishing rules · California

Limits & regulations

● Under review
Limits under reviewWe're confirming the current limits for this water. Until then, check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov) before you fish.
⚑ Check before you go.We update these weekly, but rules can change at any time. For the official rules, see the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (wildlife.ca.gov).

Off the water

Nearby trails

Whispering Pines Nature Trailhead

· 5.3 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Ponderosa Nature Trailhead

· 5.3 mi from the water
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

  • Shell 41339 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake
    0.2 mi
  • Valero
    0.7 mi
  • 7-Eleven 41901 Big Bear Boulevard
    0.7 mi
  • Chevron
    1.0 mi

Bait and tackle

  • Sportsman's Warehouse
    26.4 mi
  • Soboba Flight Park Mo-Su 08:00-19:00
    29.3 mi

Groceries and ice

  • 7-Eleven 41440 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake
    0.3 miCall
  • Grocery OutletIce 42126 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake · Mo-Su 07:00-21:00
    1.0 miCall
  • VonsIce 42170 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake · Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
    1.2 miCall
  • Stater Bros.Ice 42171 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake · Mo-Su 06:00-23:00
    1.3 miCall

RV dump and fresh water

  • RV dump stationDump station
    1.8 mi

Ranger stations

  • Big Bear Ranger Station 41374 North Shore Drive
    1.6 mi
  • Mill Creek Visitor Center 34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone
    13.9 miCall

Hospitals and urgent care

  • Bear Valley Community HospitalEmergency 41870 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake · 24/7
    0.8 miCall
  • Mountains Community HospitalEmergency 29101 Hospital Road, Lake Arrowhead · 24/7
    15.4 miCall
  • Yucaipa Family Clinic of Redlands Community Hospital
    16.6 mi
  • Beaver Medical Group
    18.7 mi

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

Saturday55°FSunnyWind 0 to 10 mph NE
Sunday57°FSunnyWind 0 to 10 mph E

National Weather Service forecast. Afternoon wind builds on big lakes; plan crossings for the morning.

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Big Bear Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Big Bear Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for Big Bear Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Boat ramp.

Where can I launch a boat on Big Bear Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Boat ramp. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Where can I camp near Big Bear Lake?

Campgrounds near the water include Pineknot Campground, Buttercup Group Camp, Buttercup Group Campground. When public sites are full, private sites nearby are listed on Hipcamp.

What fish are in Big Bear Lake?

Big Bear Lake has Rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is stocked by the state.

Is Big Bear Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. The most recent state planting report for Big Bear Lake lists Trout the week of 2026-10-04. Sign up on this page to get an email when it's stocked again.

Is there gas near Big Bear Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Shell, about 0.2 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near Big Bear Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: Sportsman's Warehouse (26.4 mi), Soboba Flight Park (29.3 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Do I need a fishing license at Big Bear Lake?

Yes. In California, anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license, and some waters need extra stamps or validations. Check the state wildlife agency for current rules before you fish.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Lake Perris31 mi · 93% fullDiamond Valley Lake39 miLake Elsinore48 miCastaic Lake99 mi · 90% full

Sources: USGS 3DHP, Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.