Fishing Rutherford Lake in Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Rutherford Lake belongs to Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia. This is mixed forest country. Roughly 77 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. You are looking at roughly 5.1 km of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. The nearest town is 100 Mile House, 42 km away. After that come 108 Mile Ranch at 53 km and Clearwater at 54 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Rutherford Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Cariboo Regional District: sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and bull trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Rutherford Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -8°C in January up to 14°C in August. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That is the shape of the year on Rutherford Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is a mapped landing stage 1.3 km away. Overnight stays are possible 1.3 km away. 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. If the gate is shut, Burn Lake at 1.6 km is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Rutherford Lake in what we hold.