Rheinhart Lake near Youbou: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Rheinhart Lake stands in Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia. The setting is mixed woodland. It covers about 8 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The full circuit measures close to 1.5 km on foot. The nearest place of any size is Youbou, 14 km away. Saanich is the closest city, 70 km away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Rheinhart Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Cowichan Valley Regional District include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chum salmon and rainbow trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Work Rheinhart Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 0°C in December up to 14°C in August. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. On Rheinhart Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Lomas Lake at 9.8 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Rheinhart Lake before loading the car.