Phipps Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako end of British Columbia holds Phipps Lake. The country here is rolling bush. Around 63 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The whole outline is near 4.4 km, and most of it is walkable. The closest town, Houston, is 56 km away. Telkwa is 77 km and Smithers 86 km. Water in the same corner: Lamprey Lake (3 km), Anzac Lake at 4.4 km, Newcombe Lake (6.5 km), Bill Nye Lake at 8.3 km and Bittern Lake (9 km). This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Phipps Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako list sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Chum salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Read Phipps Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 13°C and January reads -8°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Phipps Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lamprey Lake at 3 km is the sensible second choice. For Phipps Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.