Montana Lake in Cariboo Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Montana Lake is one of the Cariboo Regional District waters in British Columbia. Elevation runs to 1,121 metres. At 1.11 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. The shoreline runs about 6.5 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Nearest town is Barrière, 46 km off. Clearwater is 48 km and 100 Mile House 51 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Montana Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, bull trout, Coho salmon and longnose sucker. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Montana Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 14°C and January at -8°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Time your trip to Montana Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Failing this one, try West Twin Lake, 3.7 km away. Confirm before you fish Montana Lake.