Janze Lake in Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine entry here is Janze Lake, in British Columbia. The setting is rolling bush on every side. It measures about 36 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 3.4 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Smithers is the closest town at 98 km. It is 732 km to Kamloops, the nearest city. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Janze Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine include pink salmon, Chum salmon and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Janze Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 11°C in July and bottom out at -10°C in January. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early May. Averages place the thaw at early May and the freeze at early November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Plan any trip to Janze Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. 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. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Sammon Lake sits 22 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Janze Lake locally before you travel.