Lived there for 8 years- old school jet w/headers-you will, WILL, get pulled over, speed limit is 35 mph, forget about the diverter, not to many beaches to hang out on, lotsa weeds/plant material at/on the shores. need a boat inspection (quagga/zebra mussle) and they will ask if you've been to the river. it gets choppy down wind of the dam, like mohave. warm water in aug. is like 58*, day temps are around 75* and 50* at night. at 7,000 ft you will notice a 30% hp loss.

big bear permits:   http://www.bbmwd.com/History_files/FEES_2010.pdf
Rules and regs:  http://bigbear.us/bigbearlake.html 

I'd rather drag my junk to the river. Hwy 38 over onyx summit (8443 ft) is better for towing a trailer on (up) than 330/18...or go thru lucerne. It was nice for an afternoon weekday romp.

Thats all I got
Daniel

i went once it was the first and last time i will ever go there! was absolutely beautiful place . but it sucked a-- to get there forget it.