Gordon Lake Fishing near Vanderhoof, British Columbia

• Overview

  Gordon Lake lies in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, British Columbia. It sits in lake country bush country. Surface area runs to roughly 2.00 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. At about 9.0 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Few waters listed in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako are bigger. Vanderhoof sits 34 km from here and is the nearest stop. Then Fort St. James, 39 km, and Prince George, 76 km. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Gordon Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako include sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Chum salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The shape of Gordon Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -11°C in January up to 14°C in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Gordon Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Thompson Lake sits 7.4 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Gordon Lake are worth checking on the day.