Fraser Lake Fishing near Port McNeill, British Columbia

• Overview

  Fraser Lake belongs to Regional District of Mount Waddington, British Columbia. It sits 4 km in from the sea. With some 93 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The edge covers about 7.1 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Ground here is low by British Columbia standards. The closest town, Port McNeill, is 55 km distant. Then Port Hardy, 82 km, and Gold River, 103 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Fraser Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Regional District of Mount Waddington include Coho salmon, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Fraser Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 14°C, with January the cold end at about 2°C. Temperature moves within a narrow band, and so does the fishing. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. On Fraser Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Gilford Lake, 3.4 km out. For Fraser Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.