Lower Cathedral Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Lower Cathedral Lake in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen part of British Columbia. It lies 2,088 metres above sea level. Surface area runs to about 3 hectares — small enough to read in one session. Our Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest town is Keremeos, 36 km off. Further out sit Cawston (40 km) and Oliver (53 km). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lower Cathedral Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, Coho salmon and common carp. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The near bank of Lower Cathedral Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 10°C, the coldest about -9°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Winter locks it down, and late May brings it back. On average, late May opens the water and early November closes it again. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. At Lower Cathedral Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. 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. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Upper Cathedral Lake at 1 km is the sensible second choice. Nothing on Lower Cathedral Lake should be assumed from this page alone.