Clifford Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Clifford Lake sits in Regional District of Mount Waddington, out in British Columbia. Elevation runs to 266 metres. Roughly 17 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. A shoreline of some 2.3 km keeps the choices simple. For a base, Port Hardy sits 56 km out. Vancouver is the closest city, 357 km away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Clifford Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Regional District of Mount Waddington records list Coho salmon, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Clifford Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 1°C to 14°C. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. The season on Clifford Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. 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. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Long Lake, 6.8 km away. Confirm access to Clifford Lake locally before you travel.