Due to increasing concerns about the potential impacts of lake trout on Bear Lake's endemic species, last fall the Idaho Department of Fish and Game became interested in a change in fisheries management at Bear Lake. The best fishing has been reported by anglers who have been trolling. Good spots for cutthroat have been off the Utah State Park Marina north toward the buoys in front of the mouth of Swan Creek. There have also been some good reports from local anglers trolling and jigging in the southwest corner of the lake.
Dark colors seem to be producing the best results.
Anglers are also trolling the drop off between about 25-60 feet of water along the east side. Trolling with downriggers or lead-core line are the best techniques when fishing deep. Sometimes if the lure bumps along the bottom while trolling it will trigger lethargic fish into striking. Fishermen are also jigging with tube jigs tipped with cisco meat, in water 20-40 feet deep, and are doing fairly well for both cutthroat and lake trout. Best luck has come by casting deep diving crank baits or spoons and retrieving them slowly.