Hotnarko Lake fishing
Fishing near Williams Lake, Quesnel and the rest of the Cariboo. See all Cariboo lakes.
From Williams Lake , follow Highway 20 to Anahim Lake . Just west of Little Anahim Lake branch south onto a rough 18 km (11.16) road to the lake. Fly-in access to this trophy lake is also available from Nimpo Lake .
Hotnarko Lake is a medium lake in the Cariboo, the trout country reached from Williams Lake. It covers 98.3 ha and runs to 61.0 m at its deepest point, sitting at 1162 m of elevation. Fish here typically run Locally known as a trophy lake for wild-stock rainbow trout; remote fly-in/rough-road access, no formal size regulation confirmed and the stock is Pennask & Blackwater Rainbow Trout. This is a catch and release fishery.
Open Hotnarko Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check
Hotnarko Lake at a glance
- Region
- Region 5 - Cariboo
- Management unit
- MU 5-2
- Elevation
- 1162 m
- Maximum depth
- 61.0 m
- Surface area
- 98.3 ha
- Lake size
- Medium Lake (50 - 500 ha)
- Trout strain
- Pennask & Blackwater Rainbow Trout
- Typical size
- Locally known as a trophy lake for wild-stock rainbow trout; remote fly-in/rough-road access, no formal size regulation confirmed
- 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 Hotnarko Lake
Remote Chilcotin-area lake with a local trophy reputation for wild-stock rainbow trout; reachable by rough road or fly-in..
Managed for size over numbers here. Barbless hooks and a careful release make the next fish someone else's trophy too.
Best times of year at Hotnarko Lake
- May - June
- September - October
Getting to Hotnarko Lake
A small Forest Service Campsite is the only facility at the lake. Full facilities, services, accommodations are available at Nimpo Lake. Many of the anglers are flown in to this unique steelhead trophy lake from Nimpo Lake.
Coordinates: 52.4597, -125.6067
Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.
Hotnarko 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 Hotnarko Lake
No ice fishing closure is recorded for Hotnarko 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 Hotnarko Lake
- Hotnarko Lake Access Point
No designated vehicle campground on this lake (Day-use / backcountry access only)
Facilities: Day-Use Shoreline, Cartop Launch
Access: A small Forest Service Campsite is the only facility at the lake. Full facilities, services, accommodations are available at Nimpo Lake. Many of the anglers are flown in to this unique steelhead trophy lake from Nimpo Lake.
Coordinates: 52.45908, -125.574345
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 Hotnarko Lake
- Kappan Lake 14 km away
- Abuntlet Lake 17 km away
- Anahim Lake 18 km away
- Mccauley Lake 21 km away
- Lessard Lake 24 km away
- Turner Lake 29 km away
- Cutthroat Lake 30 km away
- Little Charlotte Lake 31 km away
- Nimpo Lake 32 km away
- Bluff Lake 39 km away
Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.