Widgeon Lake Fishing near Anahim Lake, British Columbia

• Overview

  British Columbia holds Widgeon Lake, in Central Coast Regional District. The bank is 1,115 metres above sea level. At some 1.22 sq km it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. With 5.9 km or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Start from Anahim Lake, 50 km down the road. Bella Coola is 65 km away, with Bella Bella at 156 km. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Widgeon Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Central Coast Regional District, recorded fish include Chum salmon, pink salmon and Coho salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read Widgeon Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -9°C in January up to 9°C in August. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about late May. On average, late May opens the water and early November closes it again. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. On Widgeon Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Kidney Lake, 2.5 km away. Confirm access to Widgeon Lake locally before you travel.