Tsayakwacha Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia, is where Tsayakwacha Lake sits. Height above sea level is 1,103 metres. This is sizeable water at about 1.98 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. There is roughly 8.8 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Size puts it in the front rank of our Cariboo Regional District list. Anahim Lake is the closest place, 64 km off. Bella Coola is 102 km away, with Burns Lake at 137 km. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Tsayakwacha Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon and bull trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Tsayakwacha Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 13°C, while January sits near -9°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Break-up near late April, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. The season on Tsayakwacha Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Tsayaguigz Lake, 1.7 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Tsayakwacha Lake.