Running Bear Lake near Clearwater: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia, is where Running Bear Lake sits. What surrounds it is mixed forest. At roughly 5 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Most waters listed here for Thompson-Nicola Regional District are larger. Clearwater lies 31 km from the water. Kamloops sits 111 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Running Bear Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Thompson-Nicola Regional District include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and rainbow trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Running Bear Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 13°C; by January the average is down near -9°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. From about late April to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. On Running Bear Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Saskum Lake, 18 km out. Where Running Bear Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.