… Advertised as the “jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest,” Big Bear Lake snagged first place on USA Today’s list of the best lakes in the United States. … “Whether you visit during peak summer or the most frigid depths of winter, there’s a massive array of activities to enjoy across Big Bear Lake,” USA Today said, ranging from skiing and snowboarding to boating, jet skiing and paddleboarding. “Summer brings top-tier fishing opportunities, with anglers gathering to search for rainbow trout,” the publication said. … Only one other lake with a link to the Golden State made USA Today’s top 10 list. Lake Havasu hugs the border between California and Arizona along the Colorado River. It was ranked No. 10 by the publication. Formed by the construction of the Parker Dam in the 1930s, the massive reservoir is a “popular destination for bass fishing,” USA Today said. 

Other lake recreation news:

• California Department of Water Resources: News release: Lake Oroville Update – July 11, 2025
• Travel + Leisure: This lake in the Western U.S. [Big Bear] is called the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’ for its vibrant turquoise water
• Lake County News (Lakeport, Calif.): Clear Lake named nation’s best bass lake for 2025