What special fishing regulations apply at Bear Lake?

Bear Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Endemic Bear Lake cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah subspecies endemic to Bear Lake — one of only four endemic Bear Lake fish species alongside Bonneville cisco + Bonneville whitefish + Bear Lake whitefish); IDFG / UDWR joint reciprocal compact on the boundary (anglers fishing main stem may use ID or UT Fishing Licence); cutthroat trout 2 / day + 22 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT (release inside slot); Bonneville cisco snag-fishing January season unique to Bear Lake." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Bear Lake?

Yes. Bear Lake is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Bear Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.

Do Bear Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Bear Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Bear Lake?

Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Bear Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

2026 regulation year

Bear Lake 2026 — Idaho Fishing Regulations

Idaho statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Bear Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Idaho's 2026 fishing rules — covering Cutthroat trout. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Endemic Bear Lake cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah subspecies endemic to Bear Lake — one of only four endemic Bear Lake fish species alongside Bonneville cisco + Bonneville whitefish + Bear Lake whitefish); IDFG / UDWR joint reciprocal compact on the boundary (anglers fishing main stem may use ID or UT Fishing Licence); cutthroat trout 2 / day + 22 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT (release inside slot); Bonneville cisco snag-fishing January season unique to Bear Lake
Source: Idaho special-water list

Per-species rules on Bear Lake

Cutthroat trout regulations →
22 in min, 2 / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT; endemic Bear Lake cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah subspecies); IDFG/UDWR joint reciprocal compact

Official source

Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) publishes the authoritative 2026 Idaho fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Idaho fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Idaho Department of Fish and Game's emergency-order feed — check it before any Idaho trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Idaho

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Bear Lake?: Bear Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Cutthroat trout. One of them reads: "Endemic Bear Lake cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah subspecies endemic to Bear Lake — one of only four endemic Bear Lake fish species alongside Bonneville cisco + Bonneville whitefish + Bear Lake whitefish); IDFG / UDWR joint reciprocal compact on the boundary (anglers fishing main stem may use ID or UT Fishing Licence); cutthroat trout 2 / day + 22 in min TROPHY MANAGEMENT (release inside slot); Bonneville cisco snag-fishing January season unique to Bear Lake." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Bear Lake?: Yes. Bear Lake is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Bear Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.
Do Bear Lake's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Bear Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Bear Lake?: Cutthroat trout has a water-body-specific rule on Bear Lake, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

← Back to Idaho regulations overview