Short Portage Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, British Columbia, this is Short Portage Lake. The surroundings are mixed forest. It measures about 51 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 4.7 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Houston sits 67 km from the bank. The big place round here is Kamloops, 571 km distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Short Portage Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Public occurrence data for Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako names sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, pink salmon and Chum salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Short Portage Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -8°C in January to roughly 12°C in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late April until roughly mid November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Time your trip to Short Portage Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Skinny Lake at 1.7 km is the sensible second choice. Where Short Portage Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.