Little Bobtail Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Little Bobtail Lake is a British Columbia water. This is pine and birch ground. This is sizeable water at about 2.41 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. Few waters listed in Regional District of Fraser-Fort George are bigger. The nearest town is Vanderhoof, 50 km away. Further out sit Prince George (57 km) and Fort St. James (100 km). The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Little Bobtail Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Regional District of Fraser-Fort George cover Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. At Little Bobtail Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 14°C in July and bottom out at -11°C in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Little Bobtail Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Naltesby Lake at 5.6 km is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Little Bobtail Lake for certain.