Wilson Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Wilson Lake lies within the bounds of Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, British Columbia. It sits 19 km in from the sea. At 4.72 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. Around 23 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. On our Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Ketchikan, is 71 km distant. Metlakatla follows at 77 km, then Prince Rupert at 134 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Wilson Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Open biodiversity records for Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine list pink salmon, Chum salmon, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon and Chinook salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Wilson Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 12°C at the top of summer and -4°C at the bottom of winter. In milder years the surface never sets. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. At Wilson Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. 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. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Big Goat Lake, 3.1 km away. Rules at Wilson Lake are worth checking on the day.