How is it in Big Bear?

Got some bday money and wife is down for big bear tomorrow. Where could I launch a float tube, if at all possible, and be able to get some lmb or trout?  Fees? Where to park?

I have been out of fishing for over a year due to lay off so I'm really excited to wet my lines even for a little while on my bday.

Thank you in advance for any tips/intel.

Feel free to inbox me if you to keep your spots on the DL. I will put it in the vault.

Ps. Have a happy and a sfe 4th of July

It has been a long time for me I think you need to head down to the boat launch ramp, they will have all the info. I wish I had the cost for you but good luck hope you have a great time let us know how it goes for you.

hmm not sure on the pprice of the wilderness pass or launch fees anymore ... Talked to a guy a few weeks ago that was up there tubing and he said the catfish bite was wide open on Crawlers behind the church . most guys targeting bass seem to do well around the launch ramp area . on IKA and drop shot natural colors , so i would say browns and greens to be safe .

The question remains how the traffic will be , i see the reports from today up there that they had 100,000 people trying to launch on the holiday .. it may be good early and turn into a washing machine by 10 . who knows ..

Let us know how it goes , been a few yrs since i have been up there as well .. good luck and i hope you catch a few .

Wes

Thanks for the info Wes and Jeff.   Seems like there's a one day $20 launch fee for float tubes.  Nothing else other than a fishing license as usual.  I was reading up online and found some info that I hope will point me in the right direction as well.  

I got my tube out and pre-inflated half way to check for leaks.  Car's loaded and ready to go.

I will check back in from the water if I get reception or late night.

Night.

Well, I packed it all and paid my $20 permit fee and drove over to "Boulder Bay". The wind was going to be too risky for tubing, and the cashier and ranger said it'll be better in Boulder Bay as the boulders/walls will protect me from the wind. Then, as I inflate my tube I hear a "hissssss." Damn! I must've over inflated. I had just checked it the previous night and just killed my outing. I ended up going back to the North Shore side and trying my luck out on power bait n wait for trout. Not one bite.....

I ended up getting some great food at the Himalayan restaurant in Big Bear. That was the highlight of the trip.

Sorry about the tube, but it sounds like it was a good adventure any ways.
Where does the $20 adventure pass/permit give you access to?

Hey Jerdon, yea it was all good getting out there at least. As far as the $20. You can launch anywhere on the lake. Cool thing is you can apply the $20 towards the $50 year pass on your next visit. (April to April. ) They also have a 2 or 3 day pass for $30 and $40 respectively.

I just saw this post, I would`ve give you a few spots that I like, ez to launch and free parking. I was there few months ago after 2 years, water level has drop by 11ft! it was sad specially sincne one of my fav. spots with water lilies got dried up! you can fish from boulder bay with no tube, there`s a little platform like a pier. it has LMB

Aquaholic38 wrote:I just saw this post, I would`ve give you a few spots that I like, ez to launch and free parking. I was there few months ago after 2 years, water level has drop by 11ft! it was sad specially sincne one of my fav. spots with water lilies  got dried up! you can fish from boulder bay with no tube, there`s a little platform like a pier. it has LMB

Yea I noticed the dried up weeds around the north shore due to lower levels, that sucks. There's still alot of weeds in the water that I lost a few trout rigs and a lure to. I did see the platform you are talking about but it seemed over crowded, due to the holiday I suspect.

I am currently waiting for my replacement bladder for my tube and hope to get out there soon!