Gates Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Gates Lake in Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, British Columbia. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. At about 41 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge covers about 5.5 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. Fort St. James is the closest place, 55 km off. Mackenzie is 79 km away, with Vanderhoof at 80 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Gates Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Regional District of Fraser-Fort George records list Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and mountain whitefish among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Gates Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 14°C and January at -11°C. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. Expect the water usable from around late April until roughly mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Expect Gates Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is camping recorded roughly 1.1 km off. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Shiner Lake is 5.3 km distant. For Gates Lake in particular, ask before you travel.