Fishing at Fish Lake, Central Coast Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  British Columbia holds Fish Lake, in Central Coast Regional District. It sits 38 km in from the sea. The water measures roughly 5 hectares, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is a small entry by Central Coast Regional District standards. Nearest place of any size is Bella Coola, 39 km away. Anahim Lake lies 62 km off, Bella Bella another 136 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Fish Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Central Coast Regional District, recorded fish include Chum salmon, pink salmon, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon and Chinook salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Fish Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 11°C in August and bottom out at -8°C in January. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early May. The water is typically free of ice between early May and mid November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Fish Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Long Lake, 0.7 km out. What applies at Fish Lake may have changed since it was mapped.