Raven Lake Fishing in Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Out in Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia, sits Raven Lake. Elevation runs to 1,250 metres. It measures about 87 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The perimeter runs near 6.0 km, so plan the walk before you start. The closest town, Hanceville, is 18 km away. Further out sit Williams Lake (51 km) and Quesnel (108 km). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Raven Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Cariboo Regional District cover sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, bull trout and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The near bank of Raven Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 13°C, with January the cold end at about -11°C. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. The water is typically free of ice between late April and mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Raven Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A boat ramp sits about 710 m from the water. A platform or pier sits within 720 m. A campsite lies 740 m away for anyone staying over. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Ross Lake at 11 km is the sensible second choice. For Raven Lake in particular, ask before you travel.