Lily Lake in Peace River Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Peace River Regional District entry here is Lily Lake, in British Columbia. Height above sea level is 1,070 metres. At some 2.13 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. With 7.5 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. On our Peace River Regional District list it sits near the top for size. For supplies, Fort St. John is 156 km out. Edmonton is the closest city, 713 km away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Peace River Regional District, recorded fish include mountain whitefish, longnose sucker and largescale sucker. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Take Lily Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 13°C, the coldest about -13°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. The lid tends to go about early May and return around early November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Lily Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Lifeline Lake is 4.5 km off. Check the position on Lily Lake before loading the car.