Mayo Lake near Lake Cowichan: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mayo Lake is one of the Cowichan Valley Regional District waters in British Columbia. Height above sea level is 181 metres. Small at around 3 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Cowichan Valley Regional District. Lake Cowichan at 7.7 km is the nearest place to stop. It is 51 km to Saanich, the nearest city. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Mayo Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Cowichan Valley Regional District records list Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and Chum salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Mayo Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 2°C in January and 16°C in August. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Expect Mayo Lake to follow that timing. Barometer swings matter more than a degree or two.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Parking is close: a car park sits 180 m from the bank. There is a jetty 130 m off, worth knowing on a busy day. Facilities run to toilets 180 m from the water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Grant Lake, 6 km out. Check the position on Mayo Lake before loading the car.