Bear Lake
Bear Lake, Rich County. Utah DWR's rules for this water from the 2026 Utah fishing guidebook, page 28, with the statewide limits and any emergency change in force, as of noon, October 28, 2026.
Bear Lake
Rich County · Blue Ribbon fishery
Statewide: kokanee salmon may not be kept. Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30 to protect kokanee during the spawning season. September 10 to November 30, 2026 · guidebook p. 5
Bear Lake · guidebook p. 28
See Fishing across state lines and reciprocal fishing permits on page 8 for license requirements.
LimitLimit 2 trout.
MethodAnglers may keep snagged Bonneville cisco that are taken through normal, legal fishing activities.
MethodCisco may be taken with a handheld dipnet. Net opening may not exceed 18 inches in any dimension. When dipnetting through the ice, the size of the hole is unrestricted.
MethodWhen ice fishing for fish other than cisco, the size of the hole may not exceed 18 inches.
MethodAny angler who possesses a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license may fish within both the Utah and Idaho boundaries of Bear Lake. An angler may fish with up to two poles on all areas of the Utah portion of Bear Lake that are open to fishing. Anglers must comply with Idaho regulations if they want to use more than one pole when fishing on the Idaho portion of Bear Lake. Visit idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish or scan the QR code for Idaho’s fishing regulations.
TackleA person may not possess a multipoint hook with a weight permanently or rigidly attached directly to the shank—or a weight suspended below a multipoint hook—unless the hook is on an unweighted dropper line that is at least three inches long.
General rules that name this water
Bear Lake: one licence, two statesIf you have a valid Utah or Idaho fishing or combination license—whether you are a resident or nonresident—you may fish both the Utah and Idaho portions of the lake, as long as you follow the angling regulations that apply to the state where you are fishing. It is your responsibility to know and follow each state’s laws and rules for Bear Lake. Reminder: Even if you are licensed in both states, you may only take one daily limit each day.guidebook p. 8
Snagged fishA snagged fish may not be taken and must be released immediately. The only exceptions are Bear Lake (where you may snag Bonneville cisco) and any waterbody where there is a catch-and-kill regulation for the fish you snag.guidebook p. 13
Statewide limits
Changed at this water. A rule above speaks to these fish, and UDWR's order is that "that rule takes precedence over the general rules." The statewide figure is printed beside each so you can see what the rule starts from. It is not the limit here unless the rule above leaves it alone.
| Trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic graylingsee the rule above, which names trout | statewide: 4 |
Unchanged here. No rule above names these fish, so the statewide limit applies.
| Crappiea group rule below may change this | 50 |
| Bluegill and green sunfisha group rule below may change this | 50 |
| Bonneville ciscoa group rule below may change this | 30 |
| Bullheada group rule below may change this | 24 |
| Burbota group rule below may change this | No limit |
| Channel catfisha group rule below may change this | 8 |
| Crayfisha group rule below may change this | No limit |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bassa group rule below may change this | 6 |
| Nongame speciesa group rule below may change this | No limit |
| Northern pikea group rule below may change this | 20, only 1 over 36 inches |
| Roundtail chuba group rule below may change this | 2 |
| Sacramento percha group rule below may change this | 10 |
| Striped bassa group rule below may change this | No limit |
| Tiger muskellungea group rule below may change this | 1 over 40 inches |
| Walleyea group rule below may change this | 10, only 1 over 24 inches |
| Whitefisha group rule below may change this | 10 |
| White bassa group rule below may change this | No limit |
| Wipera group rule below may change this | 3 |
| Yellow percha group rule below may change this | 50 |
Group rules that may also cover this water · 1
The guidebook sets some rules for a group of waters without naming each one. This group is in the same county. Read the description: if it fits the water you are on, the rule applies to you.
Bear Lake tributaries Rich · p. 29
(a) Big Spring Creek from Lamborn Diversion (approximately 500 yards below SR-30) downstream to Bear Lake and that area extending from the mouth out into the lake 1,000 feet, or as buoyed.
ClosureCLOSED April 15 through 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of July.April 15 to July 11, 6 a.m., 2026
ReleaseCatch and release only and artificial flies and lures only (Jan. 1–April 14, and from 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of July through Dec. 31).January 1 to April 14, 2026; July 11, 6 a.m. to December 31, 2026
(b) Swan Creek from the headwater spring downstream to Bear Lake and that area extending from the mouth out into the lake 1,000 feet, or as buoyed.
ClosureCLOSED April 15 through 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of July.April 15 to July 11, 6 a.m., 2026
ReleaseCatch and release only and artificial flies and lures only (Jan. 1–April 14, and from 6 a.m. on the second Saturday of July through Dec. 31).January 1 to April 14, 2026; July 11, 6 a.m. to December 31, 2026
Underwater spearfishing · guidebook pp. 19-21
Only if you spearfish. The app did not find this water in the guidebook's lists of waters open to spearfishing. The guidebook says: "Only the waters listed below are open to underwater spearfishing for game fish year-round. Unless otherwise noted, you may underwater spearfish to take any legal species within the daily limits, length limits and seasonal closures that apply to each waterbody."
General rules for spearfishing guidebook pp. 19-21
All fishing rules applyWhen spearfishing, you are subject to all of Utah’s fishing rules, regulations, daily limits and licensing requirements. In addition to the following information, carefully review Rules for specific waters beginning on page 28.p. 19
HoursUnderwater spearfishing may take place 24 hours a day where allowed.p. 19
Free shaftingFree shafting is prohibited.p. 19
Artificial lightImportant: It is illegal to use artificial light while underwater spearfishing with the following two exceptions:
- If you’re underwater spearfishing for burbot or lake trout at Flaming Gorge.
- If you’re underwater spearfishing for common carp or Utah chub anywhere in the state where spearfishing is allowed.
Carp and Utah chubAt all waters open to fishing—during their open seasons—you can underwater spearfish for common carp and Utah chub, except for the Provo River and Provo River Delta.p. 19
Limits and closuresRemember: All possession limits and seasonal closures apply, regardless of the fishing technique you use. (This includes the statewide seasonal closure on kokanee salmon from Sept. 10 to Nov. 30.) Refer to the statewide Daily limits table on page 7.p. 19
Diver flagSCUBA divers are required to deploy the diver flag from the highest point of their boat, or from a buoy if not diving from a boat.
- For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that anyone snorkeling, spearfishing or swimming in deeper waters should deploy a diver flag and use caution to stay within 150 feet of the flag.
- Boaters are required to stay 150 feet away from this flag when it is deployed. It also signals to boaters that they should slow down and steer clear of the area to avoid people in the water.
Places on this water
Bear LakeRich Co.
Rules are UDWR's own words from the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook and its posted emergency changes. They are in force Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Species and stocking are UDWR's and are not rules. Not legal advice. The guidebook, the signed notices and signs posted at the water are the authority. Guidebook · Posted changes