Harrison Lake
MU 2-18, Lower Mainland
49.4333° N, 121.7833° W
- Surface area
- 22263.4ha
- Maximum depth
- 279m
- 915 ft
- Elevation
- 10m
Harrison Lake is the largest body of fresh water in the southwestern Coast Mountains. Spanning over 60 km in length, this massive glacial fjord holds large predatory coastal cutthroat trout and bull trout feeding on salmon smolts.
Open Harrison Lake in the appThe 7-day forecast, max depth and wildfire smoke check, on the lake's own coordinate.
Trophy fish at Harrison Lake
Harrison Lake is known for trophy Cutthroat trout to 5 lb.
- White sturgeon to 300 lb
- Cutthroat trout to 5 lb
Trophy sizes this lake is known for, not a typical catch. They are historical records from our own big fish list, with no date on file, not recent catches.
Harrison Lake at a glance
- Region
- Lower Mainland
- Management unit
- MU 2-18
- Species
- White Sturgeon, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee (last recorded 1995), Lake Whitefish (last recorded 1995), Mountain Whitefish (last recorded 1995), Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Chinook Salmon (last recorded 1995), Pink Salmon (last recorded 1995), Steelhead (last recorded 1995), Atlantic Salmon (last recorded 1905), Sculpin (General), Dace (General), Lamprey (General), Coastrange Sculpin (formerly Aleutian Sculpin), Redside Shiner, Threespine Stickleback, Prickly Sculpin, Northern Pikeminnow, Pygmy Longfin Smelt, Sturgeon (General) (last recorded 1995)The province's newest fish record here is from 2021.Species from the province's fish observation records and angling reports.
- Lake size
- Large Water (> 500 ha)
- Ice fishing
- Open to ice fishing, confirmed
- Coordinates
- 49.4333, -121.7833
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission
Gear for cutthroat trout
Lines, leaders, lures and flies for cutthroat trout, searched on Amazon.ca.
Search Amazon.caAs an Amazon Associate, BC Trout Finder earns from qualifying purchases.
Fish on record at Harrison Lake
| Species | First recorded | Last recorded | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 1929 | 2018 | 7 |
| Kokanee | 1995 | 1995 | 1 |
| Lake Whitefish | 1896 | 1995 | 11 |
| Mountain Whitefish | 1995 | 1995 | 1 |
| Chum Salmon | 1951 | 2021 | 5 |
| Coho Salmon | 1951 | 2021 | 5 |
| Sockeye Salmon | 1951 | 2001 | 4 |
| Chinook Salmon | 1951 | 1995 | 3 |
| Pink Salmon | 1951 | 1995 | 2 |
| Steelhead | 1951 | 1995 | 2 |
| Atlantic Salmon | 1905 | 1905 | 1 |
| Sculpin (General) | 2008 | 2021 | 6 |
| Dace (General) | 2021 | 2021 | 1 |
| Lamprey (General) | 2018 | 2018 | 2 |
| Coastrange Sculpin (formerly Aleutian Sculpin) | 2008 | 2016 | 6 |
| Redside Shiner | 2008 | 2016 | 6 |
| Threespine Stickleback | 2001 | 2015 | 2 |
| Prickly Sculpin | 2008 | 2008 | 5 |
| Northern Pikeminnow | 2008 | 2008 | 1 |
| Pygmy Longfin Smelt | 1995 | 2001 | 3 |
| Sturgeon (General) | 1995 | 1995 | 1 |
A year is when the Province last recorded the fish here, not a statement that it is caught today.
How to fish Harrison Lake
Troll Apex lures and Lyman plugs on downriggers at 30-80 ft near Echo Island and the Breakenridge drop-offs. Cast minnow patterns along rocky points where wind concentrates fry.
Best times of year at Harrison Lake
- Spring (April-June)
- Fall (Oct-Dec)
Harrison Lake fishing regulations
No wild trout over 50 cm, 1 bull trout over 60 cm; speed restriction (10 km/h) at south end, as buoyed and signed. Source: Province of British Columbia
Getting to Harrison Lake
Paved highway access via Hwy 7 to Harrison Hot Springs with paved municipal boat launches and marinas.
Coordinates: 49.4333, -121.7833
Camping and rec sites at Harrison Lake
- Sasquatch Provincial Park & Harrison Marina
Provincial park campgrounds nearby and public boat ramps
Facilities: Paved Ramp, Campground, Toilets, Marina, Parking
Access: Paved 2WD
Depth chart for Harrison Lake
279 mdeepest
Harrison Lake runs to 279 m (915 ft) at its deepest.
The federal Canadian Hydrographic Service charts Harrison Lake for navigation, with soundings across the lake.
The ice year at Harrison Lake, modelled
Modelled from air temperature, not an ice report. It says nothing about whether ice will hold you.
The model treats Harrison Lake as too large and deep to freeze over, so it gives no freeze-up or ice-off dates. On air temperature alone it would have frozen in 60 of 65 winters since 1960.
Harrison 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.
Harrison Lake climate, 1960 to 2025
Averaged over a year, the air above Harrison Lake is 1.3 C warmer than it was in the 1960s. That is 66 years of daily readings, not a forecast.
- +1.3 Csince the 1960s
- 8.0 Caverage year now
- 6.7 Caverage year then
- -16 daysbelow freezing, change
each yearthe trend across 1960 to 2025
each yearthe trend across 1960 to 2025
This week at Harrison Lake
The forecast on this lake's own coordinate, refreshed through the day. The app reads these seven days for fishing and scores each one.
| Day | Sky | High / low | Wind | Rain | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 20 Oct | Clear sky | 21° / 9° | 15 km/h, gusts 21 | dry | Steady |
| Wed 21 Oct | Overcast | 22° / 14° | 13 km/h | dry | Falling (-5.2 hPa) |
| Thu 22 Oct | Overcast | 16° / 7° | 10 km/h | dry | Steady |
| Fri 23 Oct | Overcast | 17° / 6° | 8 km/h | dry | Rising (+10.8 hPa) |
| Sat 24 Oct | Overcast | 16° / 5° | 11 km/h | dry | Rising (+2.8 hPa) |
| Sun 25 Oct | Overcast | 17° / 6° | 14 km/h | dry | Steady |
| Mon 26 Oct | Overcast | 19° / 6° | 11 km/h | dry | Steady |
Harrison Lake, in brief
What fish are in Harrison Lake?
White Sturgeon, Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee (last recorded 1995), Lake Whitefish (last recorded 1995), Mountain Whitefish (last recorded 1995), Chum Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Chinook Salmon (last recorded 1995), Pink Salmon (last recorded 1995), Steelhead (last recorded 1995), Atlantic Salmon (last recorded 1905). Species from the province's fish observation records and angling reports.
Which management unit is Harrison Lake in?
Harrison Lake is in MU 2-18, in the Lower Mainland. The BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis is organised by management unit; check it before you go.
Trout lakes near Harrison Lake
- Wood Lake 6 km away
- Slollicum Lake 6 km away
- Sunrise Lake 10 km away
- Trout Lake (Sasquatch Park) 10 km away
- Deer Lake (Sasquatch Park) 11 km away
All 133 lakes in the Lower Mainland, with today's conditions on each.