Oop Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Oop Lake is one of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George waters in British Columbia. The land about it is mixed forest. Around 55 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 3.6 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Nearest place of any size is Fort St. James, 56 km away. Vanderhoof is 68 km and Prince George 78 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Oop Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Regional District of Fraser-Fort George names Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and mountain whitefish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Oop Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 14°C in July and bottoms out near -11°C in January. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. The season on Oop Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Bugle Lake, 8.5 km out. Nothing on Oop Lake should be assumed from this page alone.