Quick Take
- The bear sat down like an old fishing buddy, but the moment it scooted closer changed everything.
- Some bears wait at the top of a waterfall for dinner to jump into their mouths.
- Salmon streams hold a hidden payoff that bears need before winter, and it explains why they crowd the rivers.
- A calm-looking grizzly can still be dangerous, and wildlife officials say what to do when one approaches.
Imagine enjoying a peaceful day by the river when a massive grizzly bear decides to join you. Not from a safe distance across the water, either. We’re talking right beside your chair, close enough that you could practically reach out and touch it. That’s exactly what happens in this remarkable video, and the bear seems perfectly content to sit down and enjoy the view.
The footage shows a grizzly casually wandering up to a man sitting near the riverbank. Rather than walking past, the bear plops down beside him and looks out toward the water. For a few moments, the two sit side by side like old fishing buddies. The man remains remarkably composed, even as his enormous visitor makes itself comfortable.
Things get a little more interesting when the bear moves closer. The man begins speaking firmly to the animal, apparently trying to encourage it to give him some space. Thankfully, the encounter ends without an apparent confrontation. Watch the clip now to see one of the more unusual fishing companions you’ll ever encounter!
Watch the Grizzly Bear Join the Fisherman
Why Do Grizzly Bears Spend So Much Time Around Rivers?
Although this particular bear looks like it’s simply enjoying the scenery, rivers and streams are important feeding areas for grizzlies, especially where salmon are plentiful. Brown bears are omnivores, eating everything from grasses, roots, and berries to insects, fish, and other animals. Their diets vary considerably depending on the season and available food.
For bears living near salmon streams, fishing can provide an enormous nutritional payoff. Salmon are rich in protein and fat, helping bears build up the energy reserves they’ll need during winter denning. In places like Alaska’s Katmai National Park, brown bears gather along rivers during salmon runs, sometimes competing for the best fishing spots.
How Do Grizzly Bears Catch Fish?
Grizzly bears have several fishing techniques, and some are surprisingly patient. At Brooks Falls in Alaska, certain bears stand near the top of the waterfall and wait for salmon to leap directly into their mouths. Others settle into deeper pools and use their powerful paws to pin fish against the riverbed. It’s not especially graceful, but it gets the job done.
- Native range
- Parts of Russia
Other bears take a more active approach, chasing fish through shallow water or briefly submerging their heads to search below the surface. Some even steal catches from other bears rather than doing the hard work themselves. Younger bears can learn fishing techniques by watching their mothers and experimenting with different approaches as they grow.
Is It Safe to Sit This Close to a Grizzly Bear?
As entertaining as this encounter looks, sitting just a few feet from a wild grizzly is not something anyone should try to recreate. These are immensely powerful animals, and even a bear that appears relaxed can react unpredictably if it feels threatened or startled.
Wildlife officials recommend giving bears plenty of space, remaining calm during unexpected encounters, and avoiding sudden movements or running. If a bear approaches, the appropriate response depends on its behavior and the circumstances, but deliberately getting close enough to share a fishing spot is never a good idea.
Of course, that’s part of what makes this video so memorable. The fisherman may have been hoping to enjoy a quiet day by the river, but he ended up with a visitor most people would prefer to admire from a much safer distance. At least the bear didn’t ask to borrow his fishing rod!
