Bear Lake is located north of the Village of Stockton and is the smallest of Chautauqua County’s five lakes. The lake formed several thousand years ago when huge blocks of melting glacial ice dotted the landscape, and is known geologically as a kettle lake. Unique among western New York's public lakes, over 70% of Bear Lake's shoreline is wetland, providing excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish.
Boating: The DEC operates a hand launch located on Bear Lake Road north of the Village of Stockton with parking for 10 cars. Bear Lake fishing access site offers an accessible canoe and kayak launch platform, paved walkway and designated parking.
Fishing: Bear Lake provides angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, several species of panfish and walleye. Since 2011, walleye fingerlings (2,300) have been stocked every other year to provide additional angling opportunities. Anglers should note that the lake experiences oxygen depletion below depths of 12 - 15 feet from June-September. Ice fishing is permitted when there is adequate ice coverage.
Click here to view a map of the lake.
Bear Lake Rd
Stockton, NY 14784
dec.ny.gov/places/bear-lake