Fishing Morton Lake in Strathcona Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Set in Strathcona Regional District, Morton Lake is a British Columbia water. The ground around here is mixed woodland. At about 24 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The full circuit measures close to 2.4 km on foot. For a base, Campbell River sits 20 km out. Beyond it, Oyster River at 38 km and Gold River at 56 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Morton Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Strathcona Regional District cover sockeye salmon, Chum salmon, pink salmon and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Morton Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 16°C in August and bottom out at 2°C in January. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Morton Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is recorded parking some 500 m off. Overnight stays are possible 310 m away. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Mohun Lake sits 1.7 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Morton Lake are worth checking on the day.