Paradise Lake near Tofino: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Paradise Lake lies in Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot, British Columbia. It sits 9.8 km in from the sea. It runs to roughly 44 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. There is roughly 2.7 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. The nearest place of any size is Tofino, 27 km away. The nearest city of size is Richmond, 181 km away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Paradise Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot, recorded fish include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Chum salmon and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Paradise Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 1°C in December to roughly 14°C in August. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. That shapes the year on Paradise Lake. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Tranquil Creek Provincial Park takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Norgar Lake, 12 km away. For Paradise Lake in particular, ask before you travel.