Chaunigan Lake fishing

Fishing near Williams Lake, Quesnel and the rest of the Cariboo. See all Cariboo lakes.

Chaunigan Lake sits in the Cariboo region at 1494 m elevation, a medium lake (50 - 500 ha) reachable via the region's usual road and trail network. Use the map view for exact coordinates and turn-by-turn directions.

Chaunigan Lake is a medium lake in the Cariboo, the trout country reached from Williams Lake. It covers 123.8 ha and runs to 51.21 m at its deepest point, sitting at 1494 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 18-20 inch wild rainbows typical, with fish reported to 8 lbs and the stock is Wild Chilcotin-origin Rainbow Trout. This is a catch and release fishery.

Open Chaunigan Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check

Chaunigan Lake at a glance

Region
Region 5 - Cariboo
Management unit
MU 5-2
Elevation
1494 m
Maximum depth
51.21 m
Surface area
123.8 ha
Lake size
Medium Lake (50 - 500 ha)
Trout strain
Wild Chilcotin-origin Rainbow Trout
Typical size
18-20 inch wild rainbows typical, with fish reported to 8 lbs
Size class
Large Quality (2 - 5 lbs)
Stocking
Stocked / Wild Fishery (FFSBC)
Boat launch
Cartop / Small Boat Launch
Motor rules
Gas & Electric Motors Permitted
Catch and release
Yes
Ice fishing
No ice fishing closure on file

How to fish Chaunigan Lake

Remote, scenic Chilcotin fly-fishing lake with genuinely good wild rainbow size; no formal size-protection regulation, but a real step above an average stocked stillwater..

This is a quality-over-quantity fishery, go in expecting a slower day for a bigger average fish.

Best times of year at Chaunigan Lake

Getting to Chaunigan Lake

Chaunigan has a resort with boat rentals. There is also a BCFS campsite with boat launching available.

Coordinates: 51.5678, -123.8956

Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.

Chaunigan 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 Chaunigan Lake

No ice fishing closure is recorded for Chaunigan 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 Chaunigan Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Cariboo

Trout lakes near Chaunigan Lake

Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.