Nolan Lake in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Nolan Lake falls in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, part of British Columbia. Elevation runs to 1,032 metres. There is roughly 2.1 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. On size it sits at the modest end of our Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako list. Head to Vanderhoof, 58 km away, for anything you forgot. It is 482 km to Kamloops, the nearest city. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Nolan Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and pink salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Anyone new to Nolan Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -11°C and July at about 13°C, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It holds true on Nolan Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Mudhole Lake is 7.6 km distant. Rules at Nolan Lake are worth checking on the day.