Shaw Lake in Cowichan Valley Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Shaw Lake falls in Cowichan Valley Regional District, part of British Columbia. It sits at 821 metres above sea level. Around 10 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. Around 1.2 km of margin, front to back. Youbou sits 25 km from here and is the nearest stop. Beyond it, Coombs at 31 km and Nanoose Bay at 34 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Shaw Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Cowichan Valley Regional District: Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and Chum salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. At Shaw Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 0°C in December to roughly 14°C in August. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. That is the shape of the year on Shaw Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Fourth Lake, 4.9 km out. Signs at Shaw Lake carry more weight than any list.