Fishing at Brown Lake, Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Brown Lake lies in Cariboo Regional District, in British Columbia. The surface lies 804 metres up. At about 25 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. About 2.4 km of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. 73 km away sits 108 Mile Ranch, the nearest town. Further out sit 100 Mile House (73 km) and Hanceville (76 km). It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Brown Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Cariboo Regional District names sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and bull trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Anyone new to Brown Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -8°C in January up to 18°C in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually goes in early April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Brown Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Koster Lake is 9 km distant. Check the position at Brown Lake before loading the car.