Stinking Lake Fishing in Stikine Region, British Columbia

• Overview

  Stinking Lake sits within Stikine Region in British Columbia. It stands 724 metres above sea level. Around 17 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. With about 2.5 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. It is a small entry by Stikine Region standards. Head to Petersburg, 172 km away, for anything you forgot. The nearest city of size is Kamloops, 1054 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Stinking Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Stikine Region, recorded fish include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and mountain whitefish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Stinking Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 13°C and January at -12°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan any trip to Stinking Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Buckley Lake sits 7.2 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Stinking Lake before loading the car.