Windsor Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Windsor Lake is one of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George waters in British Columbia. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. It measures about 43 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Bank access stretches around 3.2 km in total. The town to know is Vanderhoof, 43 km out. Beyond it, Prince George at 47 km and Fort St. James at 68 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Windsor Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Regional District of Fraser-Fort George cover Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Fish Windsor Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -10°C in January and 15°C in July. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Windsor Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. For a change of water, Darby Lake is 2.4 km distant. Nothing here settles the position at Windsor Lake for certain.