Bear River
Fly fishing the Bear River in Utah, a Gold Medal freestone fed by the Uintas with Bonneville cutthroat near Evanston and Cache Valley.
- 659 miRiver length
- 2Game fish
- 94Access points
In the FlyFishFinder appAbout the Bear
The Bear River starts in the Uinta Mountains and travels through Wyoming, Idaho and Utah before it reaches the Great Salt Lake. It is a freestone river fed by Uinta runoff. It carries Gold Medal and Wyoming Green Ribbon designations.
The fish are Bonneville cutthroat trout and Bear River cutthroat. Big cutthroat winter in the river near Evanston, and some travel many miles to spawn. A dam near Evanston was buried in 2022 to help fish move up and down.
The Bear fishes best in summer after runoff calms down. The farther you go into the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, the fewer people you will see. Beaver Creek, Logan River and Blacksmith Fork are nearby.
Stoneflies, caddis, hoppers, pale morning duns and midges are favorites.
Check the current Utah and Wyoming regulations. Cutthroat rules apply.
Bear River at Idaho-Utah State Line
Flow, last 24 hours
USGS readings, provisionalIs the Bear fishing today?
See today's top 10 rivers near you, free. Go Premium to score the Bear, or any gage, on demand.
Nearby gages
- Cache Highline Canal near Logan, Utah20.0 mi away 0 cfs Below normal 1.06 ft USGS 10108400
- Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT21.0 mi away 87 cfs Normal 2.54 ft USGS 10109000
- Big Creek near Randolph, UT21.8 mi away 4 cfs Below normal 4.71 ft USGS 10023000
- Little Bear River at Paradise, UT31.1 mi away 39 cfs Normal 4.86 ft USGS 10105900
- Hams Fork below Pole Creek, near Frontier, WY40.0 mi away 13 cfs Below normal 2.75 ft USGS 09223000
- South Fork Ogden River near Huntsville, UT45.1 mi away 15 cfs Below normal 0.96 ft USGS 10137500
- Lost Creek near Croydon, Utah49.4 mi away 8 cfs Normal 1.17 ft USGS 10132500
- Ogden River below Pineview Reservoir near Huntsville, UT49.4 mi away 49 cfs Above normal 2.06 ft USGS 10140100
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
Tap a fish to see every Utah river that holds it.
Tips for fishing the Bear
-
Wait for runoff
Summer is best once the river calms.
-
Go farther in
The national forest has fewer anglers.
-
Hoppers in late summer
Hopper patterns work along grassy banks.
-
Handle cutthroat gently
Native fish need careful release.
-
Check state lines
Utah and Wyoming rules differ.
Every access point on the Bear, in your pocket.
- 94 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Bear
Bear River FAQ
What is the best time to fly fish the Bear River in Utah?
Summer, after runoff calms down.
Where can I fly fish the Bear River?
Near Evanston and in the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest. The app map shows mapped access points along the river.
Can you wade the Bear River?
Yes in many places once flows drop.
What flies work on the Bear River?
Stonefly nymphs and dries, caddis, hoppers, pale morning duns and midges. The FlyFishFinder app shows what is hatching and working on the Bear River today.
What fish are in the Bear River?
Bonneville cutthroat trout and Bear River cutthroat.
Are there special rules on the Bear River?
Yes. Cutthroat rules and state differences apply. Check current regulations before you go.
