Freshwater Fishing on the Upper Coast

Trout fishing is possible in almost all lakes of the area except those in high country. The following information tells you what types of fish are present in which lake and how to get there.

SPECIES OF FISH:

Cutthroat trout: the native stock in all the fishing waters of the area. Grows up to a maximum of 12 lbs in Powell Lake, and offers good fishing year round.

Rainbow trout: present in Powell Lake and Goat Lake all year. Grows up to a maximum of 8 lbs.

Steelhead: the highest prized trophy fish. You need a special license for this seagoing rainbow trout.

Kokanee Salmon: landlocked sockeye salmon of small size. They are mainly caught during the colder months.

THIS IS AVAILABLE FREE AND UP TO DATE FROM LOCAL FISHING TACKLE AND SPORTING GOODS STORES:
Licenses: you need a valid freshwater fishing license, plus a steelhead license, if you angle for that fish. Licenses are available at local sporting goods stores.

SAFETY:
Be careful with campfires and smoking. Obey the regulations and restrictions set out by the B.C. Forest Service. Their local office is at 7079 Duncan Street, telephone: 604-485-9831.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Most of the lakes are in true wilderness settings. Prepare yourself carefully when going onto water. Leave notice of your destination and report back. Always be equipped for an emergency, which could force you to stay out overnight. Emergency food rations and rain protection are the most important items.

UNWIN LAKES
Access only from the ocean. A canoe can easily be portaged. Cutthroat trout - best May to July. 30 km. (19 mi.) via boat travel from either Lund or Okeover Wharf.

THEODOSIA RIVER
Access only from Theodosia Inlet. The river is not navigable. Steelhead January - May. Cutthroat January- July. Coho Salmon Sept-Oct.
15 km ( 9 mi) via boat travel from Okeover Wharf.

OLSEN LAKE
Access only from Powell Lake.
Cutthroat - year round
4km. ( 2.5 mi) from Powell Lake. 26 km. ( 16.3 mi.) boat travel on Powell Lake.

SLIAMMON LAKE
Access via hwy 101 to Wild Road. Follow this road for approximately 6 km. (3.8 mi). The right turn down to the lake is unmarked. Cutthroat to 6 lbs - year round.

POWELL LAKE
51 km (32 mi. ) long. Access from Powell Lake Marina at the highway bridge. Launching ramp for motorboats at the marina. A channel connects Powell Lake to Goat Lake (beware of snags).
Cutthroat to 12 lbs. And Rainbow to 8 lbs. - all year long
Fishing starts right at the river bridge and continues on with hot spots at First and Second Narrows and Goat River. Good fishing up to the northernmost head of the lake.

GOAT LAKE AND ELDRED RIVER
Accessible via restricted logging road or via boat travel from Powell Lake. At the end if the lake, the road comes down to the water. You can launch a canoe or light car topper from the float there. Eldred River flows into Goat Lake. It is not navigable. You can walk up the logging road, which leads you to the river at various points, Cutthroat to8 lbs. And Rainbow to 5 lbs. - all year round 45 km. (28 mi) from highway 101.

NANTON LAKE AND HORSESHOE LAKE
Access via restricted logging road only. You can launch a canoe or a cropper at the at the BC forest Recreation Site at Nanton Lake. A wide channel connects the two lakes.
Cutthroat to 6 lbs. May - Nov. Kokanee Salmon fall & winter 21 km. (13 mi) from hwy 101.

DODD LAKE
Access via restricted login road only. You can launch a canoe to a cartopper at the BC Forest Recreation Site.
Cutthroat to 6 lbs May - Nov. Kokanee Salmon fall and winter 34 km. (21.3mi) from hwy101.

KHARTOUM LAKE
Accessible via restricted logging road or via boat travel on Lois Lake. Canoes and car toppers can be launched at the BC Forest Recreation Site.
Cutthroat to 5 lbs year round
25 km. (15.6 mi) from hwy 101.

PHELAN LAKE
Accessible via restricted logging road only. You can launch a canoe.
Cutthroat Apr. - Nov.
29 km. (18 mi) from hwy 101.

FREDA LAKE
Accessible via restricted logging road only. The last 3 km. (2 mi) of the road are rough. You can launch a canoe or cartop boat.
Cutthroat to 5 lbs. May - Nov.
.35 km. (22 mi) from hwy 101.

INLAND LAKE ( LOON LAKE)
Access from Haslam Lake Road on a very rough road, on foot only. You can launch a canoe or light boat. A trail from Powell Lake leads to this lake. A canoe portage is possible. (app. 2 km. , 1.3 mi)
Cutthroat March - July
9km. (5.6 mi.) from Haslam Lake Road.

HASLAM LAKE
Accessible from the end of Haslam Lake Road, on foot only. There is a barrier across the road at the entrance to former Haslam Lake Park. You can carry a canoe to the lake. (app. 0.3 km. , 0.2 mi.)
Cutthroat to 6 lbs. Year round
No motorboats are permitted.

CRANBERRY LAKE
Situated within the municipality, this lake is easily accessible.
A bird sanctuary is located on the south end.
Cutthroat March - July
No powerboats are permitted; canoes can be launched at Linsay Park.

WOLFSON ( LANG) CREEK
Accessible from the highway ridge at Douglas Bay, approximately 13 km. (8 mi) south of Westview. A trail follows the river bank.
Steelhead & Cutthroat Jan. - May and fall months.

LOIS LAKE
Accessible via Dixon Road which starts sat Lang Bay Service Station.
CAUTION: this is a logging road from the point where it arrives at the lake. The use of this logging road is restricted and it is open to the public only on weekends and statutory holidays. You may launch a canoe or light car topper at various points along the road. Another access is on the south side of the Lois River to a BC Forest Recreation site, called Camp C site. 5.6 km. (3.5 mi) from the highway 101.
CAUTION: The level of this lake was raised by a dam. Vast areas of driftwood and snags are a hazard to all boats. The lake is connected by a channel to Karthoum Lake.
Cutthroat to 5 lbs. Year round
Kokanee Salmon: fall trough winter
3.6 km. (2 mi) from highway 101.