Big Bear Lake, California

==Attractions and activities==
[[File:Big Bear Lake from the east 2015-06-28.jpg|thumb|Lake view from the east, with observatory visible in center]]

Big Bear Lake is [[Southern California]]'s largest recreational lake. It is about {{Convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} long with a width of about {{Convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} at its widest point. The primary summer attraction in Big Bear has been fishing, which remains one of the most common activities.<ref name="Early Big Bear Valley Resorts" /> The most abundant types of fish are [[trout]], [[bass (fish)|bass]] and [[catfish]].<ref>{{cite news | url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/03/big-bear-lake-f.html| title= Big Bear Lake filling with snowmelt in time for trout-fishing season| newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 26, 2009| access-date=May 5, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090329145530/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/03/big-bear-lake-f.html| archive-date= March 29, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Hiking, [[mountain biking]] and [[horse riding]] are also very popular. [[San Bernardino National Forest]] offers many trails in varying degrees of difficulty.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-bigbear04apr06| title= Summer vacations at Big Bear Lake bring hiking, fishing and boating| newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 2, 2008| access-date=May 5, 2009 | first1=Hugo | last1=Martin| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090511144311/http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-bigbear04apr06| archive-date= May 11, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> During winter season Big Bear Lake becomes a [[skiing]] and [[snowboarding]] destination for [[Southern California]]. There are two ski resorts: [[Snow Summit]] and [[Bear Mountain (Ski Area)|Bear Mountain]].<ref>{{cite news | url= http://travel.latimes.com/destinations/los-angeles/big-bear-lake-and-lake-arrowhead/clm/active-pursuits/skiing-and-snowboarding| title= Skiing & Snowboarding| newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times|Los Angeles Times/Travel]]|year=2008| access-date=May 5, 2009| first=Tom| last=Parsons}}</ref>  The first [[Winter X Games]] were held in Big Bear Lake in 1997. The town was also home to the [[Big Bear Lake International Film Festival]] from 2000 to 2014.

In addition to these events, Big Bear Lake is known for its resident bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow. There is a YouTube channel dedicated to a live feed of their nest which allows viewers to watch their daily activities and observe their nestbuilding and feeding behaviors. The channel is operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE |website=YouTube |publisher=FOBBV Cam |access-date=February 6, 2024 |title=Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest - Cam 1 }}</ref> As of 2024, Jackie has laid 3 eggs; the first on January 25, the second on January 28, and the third on January 31. The earliest the eggs will begin to hatch is February 29.