Should Improve Trout Fishing

Bear Lake has a relatively smooth and flat bottom with little structure. Trout definitely cluster around the few spots where there are rocks on the bottom. One such location, simply called "The Rock Pile," has consistently been one of the best fishing spots on the lake. It's a popular spot for both open-water jig fishermen and winter ice fishers.

If rocks attracts fish, why not make more rock piles? That's exactly what DWR Bear Lake fisheries biologist Bryce Nielson decided to do. He spearheaded a project involving the DWR and Utah State University biologists to improve habitat at Bear Lake by creating four new rock piles just north and a little east of the State Park Marina.

The project was undertaken on 10-28-05 and involved dumping 30,000 pounds of boulders into the lake. A barge was used to carry a dump truck loaded with boulders to the carefully selected spots.

After completing the project, biologists used sonar and underwater cameras to inspect their work. The rocks went into position perfectly and, not suprisingly, began to attract fish almost immediately. They will undoubtedly become prime fishing spots.

The four new rock piles are named after the four fish species endemic to Bear Lake. Their names and GPS coordinates are given below.

Cisco

• 41 Degrees 58 Minutes 5.80 Seconds N
• 111 Degrees 23 Minutes 40.90 Seconds W

Cutthroat

• 41 Degrees 58 Minutes 11.20 Seconds N
• 111 Degrees 23 Minutes 43.70 Seconds W

Sculpin

• 41 Degrees 58 Minutes 17.50 Seconds N
• 111 Degrees 23 Minutes 45.90 Seconds W

Whitefish

• 41 Degrees 58 Minutes 25.10 Seconds N
• 111 Degrees 23 Minutes 47.90 Seconds W