Fishing Happy Lake in Stikine Region, British Columbia

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Happy Lake belongs to Stikine Region. It sits at 1,285 metres above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 1.29 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 8.8 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Wrangell lies 271 km from the water. Then Smithers, 280 km, and Telkwa, 291 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Happy Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Stikine Region include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, mountain whitefish and Arctic grayling. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Happy Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 10°C and January reads -14°C. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late May. On average, late May opens the water and late October closes it again. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. That is the shape of the year on Happy Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Tuaton Lake, 5.6 km away. The position on Happy Lake is worth confirming on the day.