Smith Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In British Columbia, Smith Lake belongs to Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. The bank is 1,028 metres above sea level. The water covers some 42 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The bank runs about 3.1 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. For a base, Wrangell sits 112 km out. For a city, Kamloops is 919 km off. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine cover pink salmon, Chum salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Smith Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 9°C and January about -7°C. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid May. Climate averages put the opening at about mid May and the closing near early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. It holds true on Smith Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Border Lake is 13 km off. Nothing on Smith Lake should be assumed from this page alone.