Alpha Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Alpha Lake belongs to Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, British Columbia. Height above sea level is 635 metres. Roughly 17 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Around 2.8 km of margin, front to back. The closest town, Whistler, is 4.6 km away. Beyond it, Pemberton at 29 km and Mount Currie at 32 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Alpha Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Squamish-Lillooet Regional District include Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and Chum salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Alpha Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 13°C and December near -6°C on the long-run figures. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice clears near late April and comes back about late November in a typical year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Time your trip to Alpha Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is recorded parking some 300 m off. A platform or pier sits within 240 m. Mapping records toilets within 450 m. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Nita Lake is 1 km off. Where Alpha Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.