The lower mainland and Fraser Valley hold a variety of lakes that are stocked for families to fish. There are fisheries available for all age groups and skill levels. Some streams closer to Metro Vancouver are more utilized, while remote, uncrowded fisheries can easily be found without travelling much further.
Across Region Two, there are over twenty urban and semi-urban lakes that are stocked with catchable rainbow trout between March and October. Stocked with an average weight of 250g, these fish are suitable for those who are still learning how to fish. If stocked fish do not fancy you, then larger cutthroat trout, bull trout and kokanee are available in more remote and larger lakes.
Hope: Kawkawa Lake; Cutthroat, Kokanee, Coho
Ross Lake; rainbow trout, brook trout, bull trout
Kent / Harrison; Grace Lake
Hicks Lake; Rainbow trout, cutthroat
Weaver Lake; rainbow trout
Chilliwack: Cultus Lake : Smallmouth Bass, Pikeminnow, Pumpkinseed, Trout
Chilliwack Lake : Kokanee, sockeye, cutthroat, northern pikeminnow, rainbow trout
Jones Lake; rainbow trout, cutthroat, kokanee
Foley Lake; rainbow trout, bull trout
Abbotsford: Mill Lake – black crappie, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Chadsey Lake; smallmouth bass, rainbow trout
Mission: Stave lake
Maple Ridge; Whonnock Lake; rainbow trout, black crappie
Mike Lake; rainbow trout
Coquitlam; Lafarge Lake; rainbow trout
Como Lake; rainbow trout, sun fish, cutthroat, cat fish.
Port Moody: Sasamat; rainbow trout, cutthroat
Buntzen Lake; rainbow trout, cutthroat, northern pikeminnow
Alouette Lake;
Surrey; Green TImbers Lake; common carp, rainbow trout
Burnaby : Deer Lake; common carp, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass
North Vancouver; Rice Lake; Rainbow trout
Squamish: Alice Lake; Rainbow trout, cutthroat
Brohm Lake; Rainbow trout, cutthroat
Browning lake; Rainbow trout
Edith Lake; Rainbow trout
FISH ID / METHODS of fishing
Rainbow Trout is B.C.’s most common freshwater sport fish. Powerful and aggressive, rainbow trout are known for jumping clear of the water when hooked.They have a silvery colour, small head and mouth, black spots along the back and generally along the sides, a red/pink band along the lateral line, and no teeth in the throat (at the back of the tongue).
Float fishing with worms, eggs, or artificial bait in one method to target trout. Casting lures such as spoons or crocs which present flashy can be used by a spin casting rod or trolled behind a boat. Using such flies as wooly buggers or doc spratleys with a sinking line is another option.
Coastal Cutthroat are an aggressive fish that feed on other fish for a large part of its diet. Travelling in schools, they can provide fast and furious fishing. Cutthroat have Spots all over a streamlined body, distinctive red slashes under the lower jaw (may be faint), a large mouth that extends past the jaw, and teeth in the throat (at the back of the tongue).
To target cutthroat one can bottom fish using eggs, worms or artificial bait. Using spoons and retrieving at a medium speed is another option, along with using flies such as nymphs.
Northern Pikeminnow have a flattened head between the eyes and a sharply forked tail. They have; a green or brownish back. Pikeminnow are known to be aggressive biters.
Bottom fishing with worms is the most common method of targeting pike minnows. Using tube jigs or small lures works as well.
Sun fish or Pumpkinseed fish are an invasive specie and if caught are meant to be killed. They have a dark green back with brightly coloured spots and red eyes. They are aggressive biters who seem to like to nibble bait.
Sun fish go after natural baits such as worms that are stationary off the bottom.
Smallmouth bass are also an invasive specie and is not meant to be released. Bass also have red eyes, their bodies gold in colour with black stripes. Their backs are boney.
Catching smallmouth bass using worms and a slow retrieve. They hide in structures and will chase bait. Tube jigs can be used in a jigging method or using jerk baits. Streamers, sneaky Pete sliders and nymphs are common flies to target Smallmouth Bass.
Kokanee are known as land locked sockeye. Kokanee are bright silver with blue or green backs. They do not have distinct markings such as spots. Chironomids, single eggs are common for fishing the bottom for Kokanee. Trolling methods using a dodger and lure with cured corn is also very productive. Kokanee are attracted to scent such as garlic and tuna.
INFORMATION / SOCIAL MEDIA
There is a ton of information out there to assist you in local lake fishing. Attending your local tackle store is a great resource to help with getting set up with gear, bait and set ups.
The Freshwater fishing guide will assist you with details on daily quotas, bait bans, etc.
Gofishbc.com provides details on the freshwater fishing society including learn to fish programs and stocking programs.
Pacific Women's Fishing Hub 