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Natural Freshwater•Utah Lakes•Rich (UT), Bear Lake (ID) County

Bear Lake, Utah: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Bear Lake featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
69,760 acres
282.3 km²
Max Depth
208 feet
63.4 m
Elevation
5,924 feet
1806 m ASL
Shoreline
48 miles
77 km
Coordinates
41.950°, -111.333°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-12
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Bear Lake Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
5,922.94 ft
Normal Full Pool: 5,924.00 ft
Below Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-1.06 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity93.6% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 5,924.00 ft
24h Change: +0.08 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 6,137,764 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
3,795 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
4,053 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
65°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
20.5 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is -258 cfs (Releasing volume). Water level is rising at 0.08 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Caution for Small Craft
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
WSW 246°
16 mph
Gusts: 26 mph
Blowing from WSW (246°) at 16 mph
Surface Wave Conditions1.5 ft wave height
Moderate Chop (1.0 - 2.0 ft)
Whitecap Chop & Swell
Barometer
29.85 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Peak Feeding Window
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 16 mph WSW
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Bear Lake.
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Interactive Map of Bear Lake

41.9500° N, 111.3333° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 41.95° N, -111.3333° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Bear Lake?

Bear Lake is located in Rich (UT), Bear Lake (ID) County in the state of Utah, at geographical coordinates 41.9500° North latitude and 111.3333° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 5,924 feet (1806 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Garden City (UT)
1 miles away
Fish Haven (ID)
2 miles away
Montpelier (ID)
20 miles away
Logan (UT)
40 miles away
Salt Lake City
125 miles away

About Bear Lake

Vibrant turquoise waters of Bear Lake on the Utah Idaho border
Natural Freshwater • Ancient Tectonic Graben LakeVerified 2026-03-12

Bear Lake is an ancient freshwater lake straddling the border between northern Utah and southeastern Idaho. Often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its astonishing intense turquoise-blue color (caused by microscopic suspended calcium carbonate crystals), Bear Lake is over 250,000 years old and is home to four endemic fish species found nowhere else on planet Earth.

Hydrographic Classification:

Bear Lake is categorized as a Ancient Tectonic Graben Lake. Its designated primary authorized uses include Recreation, Bear River Irrigation Flow Regulation, Endemic Species Conservation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Bear Lake is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Bonneville Cutthroat TroutBear Lake Whitefish (Endemic)Bonneville Whitefish (Endemic)Bear Lake Sculpin (Endemic)Bonneville Cisco (Endemic)
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Raspberry Shake Touring (Garden City)Boating & Water SkiingWinter Cisco DippingPaddleboardingScuba Diving

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (1)

  • •Bear Lake State Park Marina (Garden City)

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •Bear Lake State Park Marina Ramp
  • •Rendezvous Beach Launch
  • •North Beach Launch (ID)
  • •First Point Ramp

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Bear Lake State Park (Utah)
  • •Bear Lake State Park (Idaho - North Beach)
  • •Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Bear Lake

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Bear Lake Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area69,760 acres282.3 km²
Maximum Depth208 feet63.4 meters
Average Depth94 feet28.7 meters
Water Surface Elevation5,924 feet above sea level1806 meters
Shoreline Length48 miles77 km
Lake ClassificationNatural Freshwater (Ancient Tectonic Graben Lake)
GPS Coordinates41.9500° N, 111.3333° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Lake

8 verified answers
Why is Bear Lake so brightly turquoise?+
The striking Caribbean-like blue hue is produced by calcium carbonate (limestone) particles suspended in the clean water, which reflect sunlight back as brilliant turquoise.
What is Bear Lake Cisco Dipping?+
Every January, millions of endemic Bonneville cisco spawn close to the rocky shoreline. Hundreds of hearty winter anglers wade into the near-freezing waters with dip nets to scoop up fish in a time-honored tradition.
How deep is Bear Lake in Utah?+
Bear Lake reaches a verified maximum depth of 208 feet (63 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 94 feet (29 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical natural freshwater bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Bear Lake?+
At normal conservation pool, Bear Lake covers approximately 69,760 surface acres (about 109.0 square miles or 282.3 km²) at an elevation of 5,924 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 48 miles (77 km) throughout Rich (UT), Bear Lake (ID) County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Bear Lake?+
Anglers on Bear Lake target Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, Bear Lake Whitefish (Endemic), Bonneville Whitefish (Endemic), Bear Lake Sculpin (Endemic), Bonneville Cisco (Endemic). Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Bear Lake and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Bear Lake. Public boat launch facilities include Bear Lake State Park Marina Ramp, Rendezvous Beach Launch, North Beach Launch (ID). Full-service marinas including Bear Lake State Park Marina (Garden City) offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Bear Lake and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Bear Lake is managed and monitored in coordination with Utah Division of State Parks & Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Bear Lake State Park (Utah), Bear Lake State Park (Idaho - North Beach), Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Bear Lake come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Bear Lake are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily Utah Division of State Parks & Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-12. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: Utah Division of State Parks & Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Last verified: 2026-03-12 • Record ID: bear-lake-ut
View Official Source

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