Fishing at Paddy Lake, Stikine Region, British Columbia

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Paddy Lake belongs to Stikine Region. Elevation runs to 944 metres. It measures about 88 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 7.5 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Nearest place of any size is Skagway, 136 km away. For a city, Anchorage is 958 km off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Paddy Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Stikine Region include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and mountain whitefish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Paddy Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 11°C and January about -15°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. On average, mid May opens the water and early November closes it again. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. That shapes the year on Paddy Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Ruth Lake, 2.6 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Paddy Lake before loading the car.