Cheenis Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Cheenis Lake falls inside Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. The ground around here is rolling hill. The perimeter runs near 12 km, so plan the walk before you start. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our British Columbia listings. Head to Bella Bella, 38 km away, for anything you forgot. Bella Coola is 94 km and Kitimat 175 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Cheenis Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine records list pink salmon, Chum salmon and Coho salmon among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Treat Cheenis Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 15°C and January near 1°C. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Cheenis Lake fishes to that pattern most years. The first warm week of the year changes everything here.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Snass Lake at 5.4 km is the sensible second choice. Nothing on Cheenis Lake should be assumed from this page alone.