Crab Lake in Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Crab Lake belongs to Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. The coast is 4.3 km away. At 7.00 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. The margin runs to about 20 km in total. It ranks high for size among our Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine listings. Kitimat lies 52 km from the water. Beyond it, Terrace at 104 km and Prince Rupert at 136 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Crab Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine cover pink salmon, Chum salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The shape of Crab Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -3°C in January up to 13°C in August. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Crab Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Evelyn Lake at 18 km is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Crab Lake as something to verify.