Gustafsen Lake in Cariboo Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Gustafsen Lake lies in Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. At 1.58 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. With 8.9 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. For a base, 100 Mile House sits 32 km out. It is 138 km to Kamloops, the nearest city. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gustafsen Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Cariboo Regional District: sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and bull trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Gustafsen Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 14°C; by January the average is down near -9°C. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Gustafsen Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Neilson Lake is 3.2 km distant. Check the position at Gustafsen Lake before loading the car.