Great Central Lake fishing

Fishing near Nanaimo, Campbell River and the rest of Vancouver Island. See all Vancouver Island lakes.

Spanning 45 km into the heart of the Vancouver Island mountain spine near Strathcona Provincial Park, Great Central Lake plunges 333 meters deep. Its pristine waters hold large predatory coastal cutthroat trout and wild rainbows.

Great Central Lake is a big water in Vancouver Island, the trout country reached from Nanaimo. It covers 5100 ha and runs to 333 m at its deepest point, sitting at 82 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 3 to 8+ lbs and the stock is Wild Coastal Cutthroat & Island Rainbow Trout.

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

Great Central Lake at a glance

Region
Region 1 - Vancouver Island
Management unit
1-7
Elevation
82 m
Maximum depth
333 m
Surface area
5100 ha
Lake size
Big Water (>500ha)
Species
Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Sockeye Salmon
Trout strain
Wild Coastal Cutthroat & Island Rainbow Trout
Typical size
3 to 8+ lbs (Wild Island Predator)
Size class
Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs)
Stocking
Wild Fishery (Self-Sustaining)
Boat launch
Concrete Boat Ramp
Motor rules
No Restriction
Ice fishing
Open to ice fishing, confirmed

How to fish Great Central Lake

Fish the second deepest lake on Vancouver Island for large wild coastal cutthroat and rainbows..

Troll downriggers 35-75 ft deep with Apex 3.0/4.0 spoons, Tomic plugs, and small flashers with minnow patterns. Cast streamers and floating lines near the Drinkwater and river inlets in spring.

Best times of year at Great Central Lake

Getting to Great Central Lake

Paved and gravel road access via Great Central Lake Road from Port Alberni.

Coordinates: 49.3333, -125.1667

Boat launch: Concrete Boat Ramp.

Great Central Lake fishing regulations

Single barbless hook. Wild trout release in effect across Region 1 (hatchery marked fish only for retention). Check synopsis for sockeye season.

Deep Island Fjord (Wild Trophy Water).

Always check the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go. Regulations change in season.

Ice fishing at Great Central Lake

Great Central Lake is open to ice fishing under the regulations on file.

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 Great Central Lake

Local shops and lodges in Vancouver Island

Trout lakes near Great Central Lake

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