Big Bear Lake is one of 187 reservoirs statewide designated as ‘mercury impaired’

Fisherman Aaron Armstrong, owner of Big Bear Charter Fishing, catches and later releases a smallmouth bass on Big Bear Lake.

Aaron Armstrong removes the hook from a smallmouth bass he caught and later released on Big Bear Lake. Lab tests have indicated that older, larger smallmouth and largemouth bass from these reservoirs harbor hazardous levels of toxic mercury compounds.

Fisherman Aaron Armstrong holds a smallmouth bass he caught and later released on Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Lake is one of 187 reservoirs statewide formally designated by water regulators this year as “mercury impaired.”

A great blue heron skims across the water of Big Bear Lake.