Barnes Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Barnes Lake in the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine part of British Columbia. It sits 25 km in from the sea. With some 99 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. 37 km away sits Wrangell, the nearest town. Petersburg follows at 66 km, then Ketchikan at 149 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Barnes Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine include pink salmon, Chum salmon and Coho salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Barnes Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 12°C and January near -6°C on the long-run figures. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice-out usually falls in late April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Barnes Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Kakati Lake at 4 km is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Barnes Lake if anything is unclear.