San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation, Natural Lakes

Fishing

The San Bernardino National Forest has miles of streams and several reservoirs where you can cast your line. Whether you choose to fish along one of our wild trout streams, or try your luck from a fully accessible fishing pier, the San Bernardino National Forest offers an outdoor adventure for the entire family.

Most of the lakes and streams on the San Bernardino are stocked with rainbow trout during fishing season and also contain bass, bluegill and catfish.

Free Fishing Days

Have you ever felt the excitement of watching your bobber suddenly jiggle, then dive out of sight? Or feeling the tap-tap-tap of a bass as it tastes the worm on the end of your line? Or having a salmon practically tear the rod out of your hands as it smashes your lure? What's that? You say you never learned to fish?

Well, if you are new to the sport of fishing, and not sure if you will enjoy it, we have a great opportunity for you. The California Department of Fish and Game offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without having to buy a sport fishing license. Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some California Department of Fish and Game offices offer a Fishing in the City program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas – perhaps just a few blocks from your home. Fishing in the City and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you'll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.

While all fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect; there are two Saturdays each year when anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license.

Free Fishing days for 2009 are JULY 4th and SEPTEMBER 7th.

NATURAL LAKE- LOST LAKE

Lost Lake is a unique natural lake created by the San Andreas Fault. Although the lake has not been stocked with fish for many years, people still try their luck and toss a line in.

Many visit the lake to picnic along the banks. There are also opportunities for bird watching. This fault-formed lake is fed by deep natural springs, and those interested in geology can find evidence of the San Andreas Fault in the surrounding area. Lost Lake is located in the Cajon Pass area, contact the Cajon Ranger Station for current conditions and directions.

RESERVOIRS

Big Bear Lake and Lake Hemet are favorite destinations where fishing for trout, largemouth bass, and other game fish is a popular pastime.

Lake Gregory near Crestline offers summertime trout fishing as well as catfish to anglers and is managed by San Bernardino County Regional Parks.

Jenks Lake and Lake Fulmor feature platforms into the lake that provide accessible fishing for Persons with Disabilities. They are stocked regularly and are favorite destinations for anglers of all ages. In 2008, one-third of the fishing platform at Lake Fulmor was rebuilt.

Silverwood Lake is located adjacent to the San Bernardino National Forest in the high desert. It managed by the California State Parks and is popular with boaters and anglers.

STREAMS AND RIVERS

If you enjoy the sound of a babbling brook, try fishing one of the many small streams or rivers on the San Bernardino National Forest.

Bear Creek and Deep Creek are wild trout streams where the trout reproduce naturally. Your hike into these beautiful locations will be rewarded with excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The Santa Ana River, Middle Fork of Lytle Creek, Cucamonga Creek, and the North Fork of the San Jacinto River are also popular with anglers.

California Department of Fish and Game Bear Creek & Deep Creek Heritage and Wild Trout Program

NATIVE FISH SPECIES

While there are plenty of opportunities to fish on the Forest, many people remain unaware of the non-game fish and unique aquatic resources found on the San Bernardino.

The endangered unarmored threespine stickleback makes its home on the San Bernardino National Forest, while the tiny Santa Ana speckled dace can be found darting about in lower elevation streams.

The San Bernardino National Forest is also home to several amphibians that depend on the water in our streams, lakes, and springs for their survival. The Federally endangered southwestern arroyo toad, Southern California Mountain Yellow-legged frog, Western toad, Pacific and California tree frogs, and several salamanders are just a few of the unique species found in the forest.

You can help ensure the survival of these species by using caution when crossing streams. Don't drive across creeks and protect the stream banks from erosion by not walking along the banks. These species need the help of all of us to continue to exist in our mountains.