Boating Fishing - Big Bear Escapes

LAKE PATROL officers are authorized to enforce all laws, ordinances and regulations in effect on the waters of Big Bear Lake.
BOAT PERMITS must be properly displayed on all boats.
BOAT PERMITS may be suspended or revoked when the permittee, owner or operator violates the terms and conditions of the permit, this Code or other requirements of the law.
BOAT SIZE REQUIREMENTS: Maximum boat length is 26 feet. Manually propelled boats less than 12 feet in length and float-tubes are required to operate between the 5 MPH buoys and the shore.
PUBLIC DOCKS located at the boat launch facilities are for loading and unloading only; do not leave a boat unattended.
SANITATION: No refuse shall be thrown into or left on the shoreline of the lake; no oil from a bilge pump shall be allowed to discharge into the lake; no person shall deposit any type of fish, amphibian or plant into the lake.
VEHICLES are prohibited from driving on the lake bottom. Vehicles on District property must obey posted speed signs and operate in accordance with the Vehicle Code.
ANIMALS must be on a leash no more than 7 feet long while on District property.

PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 are prohibited from operating any vessel with more than 15 horsepower.
PERSONS 12 THROUGH 15 years of age are prohibited from operating a vessel with more than 15 horsepower unless supervised on board by a person at least 18 years of age.

RECKLESS OPERATION: No person shall operate a boat, water-ski, or similar device in a reckless or negligent manner. The owner and operator are responsible for any damage caused by their boat, its wake or its tow.
BOATING ACCIDENTS must be reported immediately to the Lake Patrol.
SPEED LIMIT: 35 MPH maximum; 10 MPH from sunset to 7:00 a.m.; 5 MPH between buoys indicating same and the shoreline; 3 MPH in Papoose Bay, Canvasback Cove and Mallard Lagoon.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT: All boats must be equipped according to California Boating Law safety requirements.
LAUNCHING: Boats requiring trailers may be launched only from designated launch ramps. All other boats may be carried and launched at designated recreational or public access points after obtaining a Boat Permit.
MOORING or tying to navigational markers is prohibited. Overnight mooring or beaching of-boats along shoreline is prohibited.
CHILDREN under the age of 12 are required to wear a personal flotation device while on board vessel that is underway.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT shall maintain a 100 foot distance from all other boats while operating above wake less speeds.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT operators are prohibited from “spraying down” any person or vessel in the water.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT riders shall wear personal flotation devices.

HOURS OF WATER-SKIING (wake-boarding, tubing, etc.) are between 7:00a.m. and sunset.
AN OBSERVER at least 12 years of age is required to be on board the boat to monitor the progress of the skier.
A RED FLAG must be displayed whenever a skier or equipment is in the water.
ALL BOATS engaged in water-skiing shall maintain a counter clockwise direction.
NO PERSON shall operate water-skis or similar device so as to endanger the life of any person.
AERIAL DEVICES are prohibited to be towed by a boat.
WATER-SKIERS shall wear personal flotation

FISHING is prohibited from the Dam or from within posted “No Fishing” areas.
ANGLERS 16 YEARS OR OLDER must have a current fishing license properly displayed.
FISHING REGULATIONS are strictly enforced.

SWIMMING is allowed within 50 feet of the shore, within a designated swimming area, within 20 feet of a private dock, or as incidental or necessary to water-skiing, jet-skiing, sailboarding or in an emergency.
SCUBA DIVING is prohibited.

OPERATORS should maneuver boats slowly and carefully in unfamiliar waters since fluctuating lake levels can cause unmarked natural or man made hazards to occur.
TROLLING ANGLERS should display a white trolling flag to indicate to other boaters that they are trailing a line.
FISHING BOATS should not impede safe access for water-skiers entering or exiting a designated ski beach.
ALL SAILING CRAFT have the right of way over motorized boats, except in an overtaking situation.
SWIMMERS should always swim with a partner and swim with caution in unfamiliar water.
LIGHTNING STORMS can develop quickly in the mountains and lightning frequently strikes the lake’s surface. Boaters are advised to quickly seek shelter and safety.
BE A SOBER BOATER – Alcohol and boating are a deadly mix.
ICE COVERING BIG BEAR LAKE during the winter months is extremely dangerous, unstable and deceptive – STAY OFF LAKE ICE!