Fishing Crystal Lake in Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Crystal Lake belongs to Regional District of Nanaimo. It stands 177 metres above sea level. At roughly 8 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from North Oyster/Yellow Point, 9.1 km down the road. The nearest city of size is Richmond, 61 km away. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name rainbow trout, Coho salmon, Chum salmon and Chinook salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Work Crystal Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 17°C in August and bottom out at 2°C in January. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. It holds true on Crystal Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. A pier or jetty stands 1.4 km away, which helps on a crowded bank. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Timberland Lake at 0.9 km is the nearest alternative. For Crystal Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.