Fishing at Summit Lake, Stikine Region, British Columbia

• Overview

  Summit Lake lies in Stikine Region, British Columbia. It sits 25 km in from the sea. Surface area runs to roughly 1.77 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. The margin runs to about 24 km in total. The nearest town is Skagway, 25 km away. The big place round here is Anchorage, 827 km distant. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Summit Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Stikine Region cover 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. The shape of Summit Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 10°C and January near -14°C on the long-run figures. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid May. The season between ice runs from about mid May to late October. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Expect Summit Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Parking within 410 m means no long carry with tackle. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Bryant Lake, 5.8 km away. Where Summit Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.