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in the Stuart-Nechako Area |
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The Stuart-Nechako area is one of
the best kept secrets for fishing destinations
in British Columbia. Those in the know head to
the nearby lakes and rivers that are tucked
along the scenic country roads to test their
skill against the many game fish in the area.
While there are not many “official” guides in
this area, many locals are happy to give you the
benefit of their experience. You can explore this area to find
your own secret spot. NIHO spoke with experts
in the area to give you a head start.
(NIHO’s Note: Regulations regarding fishing in
BC are subject to change. Several of the rivers
in this area are classified and require a
special license. Check with local stores or the
Ministry of the Environment
before heading out.
Fishermen in British Columbia must obtain a
fishing license before fishing. These licenses
are available in most sporting stores.) |
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Fort St James Area:
Stuart Lake is considered one of the best
fishing lakes in British Columbia due to its
feisty fish population and the number of good
fishing spots found throughout the lake. Rainbow and
lake trout are prevalent in these waters. They
normally range between 10-12 lbs, although
trophy fish up to 25 lbs can be caught here.
Jan from Big Red Z Charters says, “Most people
don’t think of trout as a game fish, but they
can be even feistier than a salmon on a good
day.” He says he’s never come home empty handed
from a day of fishing on Stuart Lake. Other fish
to be found in these waters include Kokanne,
Whitefish and White Sturgeon.
The fishing season does not stop
when Stuart Lake freezes over. Vincent from
NUYIZ Boat Tours notes that ling cod is
plentiful for ice fishermen. He suggests fishing
northern Stuart Lake, especially around
Honeymoon and Battleship Islands. However, Jan
says that there really are no bad places to
fish at Stuart Lake. He has seen 5 lb trout
landed on the dock. If you are planning on
boating on Stuart Lake, bring the large boat or
plan to rent one. All of our contacts strongly
discourage small car-top boats on Stuart Lake
due to sudden changes in weather.
Stuart Lake is part of a chain of lakes in
this area. Trembleur Lake hosts Rainbow and
Lake trout in the 10 lb range, although the
largest rainbow caught here was over 22 lbs. The
best times to fish here are from July to
September. Takla Lake, one of the largest
natural lakes in British Columbia is known for
its rainbow, lake trout, ling cod and white
fish. Jan describes it as “true wilderness”, so
come prepared for anything. There is a road
linking Takla Lake with Fort St James.
Vanderhoof Area
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Vanderhoof is the gateway to the
Lake District of northern BC between
Vanderhoof and Hazelton. There are literally
hundreds of lakes in this area, and some of
the most productive ones are the smaller
lakes which dot the landscape. The best
known lake in this area is Nulki Lake. Len
at Omineca Sports in Vanderhoof told us that
this is the best lake in the area for
trolling. Look for rainbow trout and burbot.
Nearby Tachick Lake has some nice size
rainbow trout (up to eight pounds) and pygmy
whitefish.
Just east of Vanderhoof are
Cluculz and Bedensti Lakes. Len notes that
Cluculz in particular is known for its
rainbows and large lake trout. He reports
rumors of 40lb lake trout caught there
recently. Bednesti hosts an abundant
population of Kokanne, rainbow trout and
lake trout. |
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Nulki Lake |
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If you are looking for fly fishing
action, Cobb Lake provides Eastern brook trout.
Local expert Colin Barnard commented that fishing in
this area is great year-round. He advises that
spring is better for catching char, while
September is great for rainbow trout.
Further south is the Finger and
Tatuk Lake. Finger Lake can only be accessed
through the local resort. Once on the lake,
you’ll find rainbow, Dolly Varden and Kokanne.
The trout in Tatuk Lake can range between 2 and
11 pounds.
The Nechako River is great for
sports fishing. Colin suggests bringing your
float tube and waders to get close to the
action. The Nechako is a catch and release river
only, and barbless hooks must be used. However,
trout and Dolly Varden are plentiful here. Keep
an eye on your line. Sockeye salmon are also
found in this river; however, it is not
permitted to catch them. |
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Takla Lake |
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Fraser Lake Area
Fraser Lake is well known for its fishing
opportunities. Len told us that rainbow and lake
trout are plentiful in this lake. Lake trout can
range up to 12 lbs, with rainbow over 2 lbs
being common. Take a larger boat to access
some of the best areas of the lake.
Colin recommends the Kenny Dam
reservoir (also known as Knewstubb Lake) as one
of the best places to fish in the area. Lots of
large fish, including rainbow trout and lake
trout, tempt fishermen to stay in the area.
There are also several access points for boats.
The road to this area are active logging roads,
so use caution. Once there, campsites and local
lodges provide a comfortable base for a long
stay. |
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The Nechako River flows into Kenny
Dam, and fly fishing is popular from Fort Fraser
through to Cheslatta Falls (especially at Cutoff
Creek). However, the big attraction to
fishermen in this area is the Stellako River,
linking Fraser and Francois Lake. Fishermen from
all over the world come here to catch and
release the feisty rainbow trout. This is an
important spawning river for Sockeye salmon but
they are protected year-round. The reports we
have received about the Stellako River is that
fishing is excellent all season long, but best
in June and July. In the fall, especially during
salmon spawning season, keep an eye out for
local wildlife, especially for grizzly bears.
While we’ve discussed some of the
more popular lakes, there are hundreds more
waiting for you in this area. Len enthuses that
“there’s lots of lakes to explore and lots of
lakes to try.” Come to the Stuart-Nechako area,
one of the best kept secrets in British
Columbia. |
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Special thanks to
the following for their assistance with this
article:
Len at
Omenica Sports- Vanderhoof, 250-567-9885
Jan at
Big Red Z Charters- Fort St James, 250-996-1013
Vincent at
Nu Yiz Boat Tours- Fort St James, 250-996-0008
Mr.Colin Barnard |
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