Schraeder Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Schraeder Lake lies in Thompson-Nicola Regional District, in British Columbia. Height above sea level is 1,582 metres. The water covers some 24 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 2.4 km keeps the choices simple. By elevation it is in the upper part of our British Columbia listings. Lillooet lies 65 km from the water. Cache Creek is 83 km away, with 100 Mile House at 86 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Schraeder Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Thompson-Nicola Regional District include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and rainbow trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. At Schraeder Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -8°C in January to roughly 12°C in August. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Schraeder Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping shows a campsite some 500 m from the water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Swan Lake is 6.7 km distant. Signs at Schraeder Lake carry more weight than any list.