Fishing Blue Lake in Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Out in Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia, sits Blue Lake. The surroundings are rolling bush. Around 18 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. With about 1.7 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Merritt is the closest town at 43 km. Sahali follows at 44 km, then Aberdeen at 45 km. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Blue Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Public occurrence data for Thompson-Nicola Regional District names Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and Coho salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Blue Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 14°C and January at -7°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about mid November in an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Blue Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. You can camp 190 m off, which suits an early start. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Glimpse Lake is 3.4 km off. Nothing here settles the position at Blue Lake for certain.