Bass Lake Bald Eagles

In 1998 a tagged Bald Eagle from Catalina Island was seen nesting at beautiful Bass Lake which started the area's attraction for Bald Eagles.  Since that time, officials have observed at least one successful fledged eaglet almost every year.  Eagles generally nest in an area where there are many fish, and the local pairs take advantage of the Kokanee fish at Bass Lake. They mature when they are about four or five years old and then begin looking for a mate to start producing offspring. Eagles generally mate for life unless one dies, then they'll find a new mate.

Eagles usually have nests with one to three eggs. The Bass Lake pairs always nest one or two eaglets at a time. The Bass Lake eagles are most active in the morning and evening when they are foraging food for their young and that the best viewing opportunities are from a boat out on the lake.

Bald Eagles were at one time abundant in the United States but were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1978 after being trapped, shot, poisoned, and suffered pesticide-caused reproductive failures. However, the species is now making a comeback and was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007 although they are still faced with threats.

Bald Eagles are unique to the North American continent, which is one of the reasons they were chosen to be our national emblem. 

Download the Bass Lake Bald Eagles Nesting History by the Sierra National Forest

2024 Update on Bass Lake's Bald Eagles by the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District:

Three pairs of bald eagle used Bass Lake in 2024 for hunting and had nests on the shoreline. Only one pair of bald eagles successfully reproduced this year. Likely due to the constant fluctuations in weather we had this calendar year.  

• Forks Nest: Changed nests to a new (2024) stick nest in same territory near the Forks restaurant. No reproduction observed in 2024
• Pine Point Nest: Pair observed using territory up until April, not observed in territory in May or June. No reproduction observed in 2024.
• Marina View Nest: Changed nests, nesting in new stick nest (2024) near Marina View. One young of the year observed in the nest in May fully feathered. Likely successful fledging in June of one young.

In 2024, only the Marina View Nest successfully reproduced and adults remained in the territory throughout the breeding timeframe. Visitors should be able to see around 4 to 6 adults flying around Bass Lake this summer as well as multiple year juvenile bald eagles utilizing Bass Lake for hunting. The only pair that seems to migrate is the Forks pair. They tend not to migrate until the food resources dwindle in the fall/winter. The other two pairs tend to stay at Bass Lake year-round.