George Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In British Columbia, George Lake falls inside Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. The country here is rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 8 hectares — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako are larger. The town to know is Houston, 34 km out. Burns Lake lies 64 km off, Telkwa another 71 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on George Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako records list sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Chum salmon among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read George Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -9°C and July at about 12°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. That shapes the year on George Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Cole Lake, 0.9 km out. Check the position at George Lake before loading the car.