Johnston Lake in Comox Valley Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Johnston Lake is a Comox Valley Regional District water, in British Columbia. Height above sea level is 1,117 metres. It measures about 14 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Shoreline comes to about 2.1 km, small enough to learn in a day. Puntledge is the closest place, 20 km off. Beyond it, Cumberland at 21 km and Courtenay at 22 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Johnston Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Comox Valley Regional District, recorded fish include Coho salmon, sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Johnston Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 13°C and December about -1°C. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Johnston Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Panther Lake, 0.9 km away. Check the position at Johnston Lake before loading the car.