Swartz (Fish) Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Swartz (Fish) Lake lies within the bounds of Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, British Columbia. Everything around it is rolling bush. There is roughly 3.1 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. It is high ground by British Columbia standards. The closest town, Lillooet, is 76 km distant. Beyond it, Hanceville at 87 km and Mount Currie at 94 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Swartz (Fish) Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, recorded fish include Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Swartz (Fish) Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 11°C, the coldest about -9°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Open water usually runs from early May until about early November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. On Swartz (Fish) Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can camp 410 m off, which suits an early start. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Grizzly Bear Lake is 11 km distant. None of that is settled for Swartz (Fish) Lake in what we hold.