Mons Lake Fishing Guide, Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  The Cariboo Regional District entry here is Mons Lake, in British Columbia. It sits in mixed forest. The water covers around 1.31 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The shoreline runs about 8.7 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. The nearest place of any size is Hanceville, 24 km away. Williams Lake lies 76 km off, 108 Mile Ranch another 112 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Mons Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Cariboo Regional District: sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, bull trout and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Work Mons Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 14°C; by January the average is down near -10°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Mons Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Rushes Lake, 5.2 km away. Ask locally about Mons Lake if anything is unclear.