Upper Summit Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  British Columbia holds Upper Summit Lake, in Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. It stands 705 metres above sea level. Around 97 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The shoreline runs about 5.1 km, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. For supplies, Prince George is 42 km out. Vanderhoof is 91 km away, with Fort St. James at 102 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Upper Summit Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Reported across Regional District of Fraser-Fort George: Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Upper Summit Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 15°C in July and bottom out at -10°C in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at Upper Summit Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Balsam Lake sits 2.6 km off and takes the overflow. The position on Upper Summit Lake is worth confirming on the day.