Steele Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, British Columbia, is where Steele Lake sits. What surrounds it is rolling bush. Around 48 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. A shoreline of some 3.1 km keeps the choices simple. Head to Vanderhoof, 48 km away, for anything you forgot. Beyond it, Prince George at 52 km and Fort St. James at 64 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Steele Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across Regional District of Fraser-Fort George include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Steele Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -11°C in January and 14°C in July. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Steele Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is a mapped landing stage 450 m away. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Mollie Lake at 3 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Steele Lake are worth checking on the day.