St. Mary Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Regional District of Nanaimo, British Columbia, this is St. Mary Lake. The coast is 13 km away. Surface area runs to about 2 hectares — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Regional District of Nanaimo list. Port Alberni sits 13 km from the bank. The big place round here is Richmond, 109 km distant. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on St. Mary Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Regional District of Nanaimo include rainbow trout, Coho salmon and Chum salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. St. Mary Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 15°C, while January sits near 1°C. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. It holds true on St. Mary Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Cameron Lake sits 3.2 km off and takes the overflow. Nothing on St. Mary Lake should be assumed from this page alone.