The Labor Day holiday should be a great day for boating, with a forecast for sunny skies and water temperatures for Big Bear Lake averaging 68 degrees. However, before boaters hit the water, the State Department of Boating and Waterways Director Raymond Tsuneyoshi reminds, “It is important that boaters maintain a proper lookout, abstain from alcohol, and wear a life jacket.” In fact, there should be a personal flotation device, or life jacket, for each person on board, and all children age 12 and under must be wearing a PFD at all times when boating; U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that, in 2008, 90 percent of all victims in boating-related drownings were not wearing a life jacket.
Boaters are also reminded that all vessels entering Big Bear Lake, including kayaks and float tubes, must be clean, drained and dry before launch, to ensure that the invasive Quagga Mussel does not infect the lake. Department of Fish and Game Director Donald Koch notes, “Quagga mussels are a serious threat to our aquatic environment and fisheries. It’s crucial that everyone who uses public waters takes the time to make sure they’re not transporting these mussels. It only takes a few mussels to contaminate an entire waterway and destroy fisheries.”
And in fun news from the DFG, in conjunction with the Big Bear Municipal Water District, this Monday’s Labor Day holiday is a free fishing day on Big Bear Lake, so no fishing license will be required. For more info on fishing on Big Bear Lake, tune in to Fowler’s Fish Tales, which airs daily here on KBHR 93.3 FM at 8:45am and 4:45pm.
