Thelwood Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Thelwood Lake lies within the bounds of Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot, British Columbia. It sits 20 km in from the sea. The water covers some 18 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. With about 3.8 km of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Nearest place of any size is Gold River, 42 km away. For a city, Vancouver is 184 km off. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Thelwood Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot records list Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and Chum salmon among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Work Thelwood Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 13°C for August and -1°C for December. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Thelwood Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Jim Mitchell Lake sits 1.5 km off and takes the overflow. What applies at Thelwood Lake may have changed since it was mapped.