Bonaparte Lake fishing
Fishing near Williams Lake, Quesnel and the rest of the Cariboo. See all Cariboo lakes.
Bonaparte Lake sits in the Cariboo region at 1169 m elevation, a large water (> 500 ha) with access typical of the region. Use the map view for exact coordinates and turn-by-turn directions.
Bonaparte Lake is a large water in the Cariboo, the trout country reached from Williams Lake. It covers 1937.0 ha and runs to 98.0 m at its deepest point, sitting at 1169 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 3 to 4 lbs typical, with rainbows reported to 12 lbs and the stock is Stocked/Wild Rainbow Trout. This is a catch and release fishery.
Open Bonaparte Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check
Bonaparte Lake at a glance
- Region
- Region 5 - Cariboo
- Management unit
- MU 5-2
- Elevation
- 1169 m
- Maximum depth
- 98.0 m
- Surface area
- 1937.0 ha
- Lake size
- Large Water (> 500 ha)
- Trout strain
- Stocked/Wild Rainbow Trout
- Typical size
- 3 to 4 lbs typical, with rainbows reported to 12 lbs
- Size class
- Large Quality (2 - 5 lbs)
- Stocking
- Stocked / Wild Fishery (FFSBC)
- Boat launch
- Gravel Boat Ramp
- Motor rules
- Gas & Electric Motors Permitted
- Catch and release
- Yes
- Ice fishing
- No ice fishing closure on file
How to fish Bonaparte Lake
Solid Cariboo stillwater fishery with above-average rainbow size; no formal size-protection regulation, but produces well above typical stocked-lake numbers..
This is a quality-over-quantity fishery, go in expecting a slower day for a bigger average fish.
Best times of year at Bonaparte Lake
- May - June
- September - October
Getting to Bonaparte Lake
This lake offers a gravel boat ramp (trailer accessible). Tap through to the map for coordinates and the route in.
Coordinates: 51.2603, -120.5578
Boat launch: Gravel Boat Ramp.
Bonaparte Lake fishing regulations
Single barbless hook. Standard regional regulations apply (check synopsis).
General Regional Regulations.
Always check the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go. Regulations change in season.
Ice fishing at Bonaparte Lake
No ice fishing closure is recorded for Bonaparte Lake, so the general regional regulations apply.
Whether a lake is open to ice fishing says nothing about whether its ice will hold you. Ice conditions vary year to year and across a single lake. Check locally before going out, every time.
Camping and rec sites at Bonaparte Lake
- Bonaparte Lake Access Point
No designated vehicle campground on this lake (Day-use / backcountry access only)
Facilities: Day-Use Shoreline, Cartop Launch
Access: Open grassy government recreation site with 4 campsites. Good gravel boat and trailer launch. Outhouses, firepits, no dock and no beach. The recreation site is suitable for RV's and trailers. The site is a popular destination for hunters and fishers. Bonaparte Lake is a large lake that can have extr
Coordinates: 51.248537, -120.551113
Local shops and lodges in the Cariboo
- Lone Butte Sporting Goods, Lone Butte / Interlakes, BC
Fishing Highway 24 flies, gas, tackle & live lake reports
Lone Butte Sporting Goods website - Sheridan Lake Resort, Sheridan Lake, BC
Waterfront campsites, trailer-friendly launches & pontoon rentals
Sheridan Lake Resort website
Trout lakes near Bonaparte Lake
- Secret Lake 6 km away
- Maydoe Lake 11 km away
- Hammer Lake 11 km away
- Machete Lake 14 km away
- Lloyd Lake 14 km away
- Eagan Lake 17 km away
- Sharpe Lake 20 km away
- Sawmill Lake 21 km away
- Fatox Lake 23 km away
Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.