Fishing at Square Lake, Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia

• Overview

  Square Lake is listed under Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia. The setting is rolling bush. About 9 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Cariboo Regional District. Supplies mean a trip to Hanceville, 27 km off. Beyond it, Williams Lake at 71 km and 108 Mile Ranch at 105 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Square Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Cariboo Regional District include sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and bull trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. At Square Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 14°C in August and bottoms out near -10°C in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about mid November in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. On Square Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. For a change of water, Mons Lake is 7.4 km distant. The position on Square Lake is worth confirming on the day.