Fishing Pigeon Lake in Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Pigeon Lake stands in Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia. It stands 1,069 metres above sea level. The water covers some 28 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. There is roughly 3.9 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. 100 Mile House sits 48 km from here and is the nearest stop. Then 108 Mile Ranch, 52 km, and Cache Creek, 71 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Pigeon Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Thompson-Nicola Regional District include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Pigeon Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 15°C; the cold one sits at -8°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Pigeon Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. The nearest alternative is Mule Lake, 2.1 km out. Confirm access to Pigeon Lake locally before you travel.