Region 6
Trout fishing in the Skeena
The Skeena region is best known for its rivers, but the lakes around Smithers, Burns Lake and Houston are serious stillwater, with rainbows, cutthroat, lake trout and char in cold clear water that stays cool all summer.
Meziadin Lake. Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
183 lakes, 40 with live conditionsUpdated 11 September
Ice leaves late and the season is short, so June and July carry most of it. The weather comes off the coast fast; a forecast here is worth checking the morning you go.
The Skeena holds 183 of the 1,842 stillwaters on BC Trout Finder, the water most people mean when they search for trout fishing near Smithers, Terrace and Burns Lake. 19 of them are trophy class. 135 have a rec site or campground on the shore. Depths run from 2.7 m to 307 m.
- 183lakes on their own coordinates
- 135with a rec site or campground on the shore
- 19trophy waters
- 307 mthe deepest lake on record here
Open the live mapEvery lake in the Skeena on one map, with the week ahead on each.
Fishing best in the Skeena right now
Our 1 to 100 score on each lake's own coordinate, highest first. Rebuilt every morning.
- 96Derrick Lake17° / 7° · wind 8
Best day Friday, 96
- 96Elizabeth Lake18° / 7° · wind 9
Best day Friday, 96
- 96Onion Lake20° / 10° · wind 10
Best day Thursday, 97
- 95Mitten Lake18° / 8° · wind 8
Best day Friday, 95
- 94Octopus Lake17° / 5° · wind 8
Best day Monday, 95
- 92Seeley Lake20° / 10° · wind 12
Best day Thursday, 97
What is in the Skeena
- 183 lakes mapped on their own coordinates
- 27 with a depth and a sourced regulation on file
- 19 trophy class waters, fish in the 5 lb and up range
- 135 have camping at a rec site or provincial park
- 53 open to ice fishing under the regulations on file
Best trophy trout lakes in the Skeena
- Atlin Lake
- Babine Lake
Stretching 153 km, Babine Lake is the longest natural freshwater lake in British Columbia. As the primary nursery for the Skeena River sockeye salmon run, its rich biomass supports massive lake trout (char) exceeding 25-30 lbs and acrobatic wild rainbow trout.
- Charlotte Lake
- Cheslatta Lake
- Eutsuk Lake
- Francois Lake
Francois Lake is a 110-kilometer-long natural wonder in the Lakes District of central BC. Plunging over 240 meters deep, its cold, oxygen-rich waters produce heavy wild rainbows and deep-dwelling lake char in a dramatic wilderness setting.
- François Lake
François Lake sits in the Skeena region, a large water (> 500 ha) with access typical of the region. Use the map view for exact coordinates and turn-by-turn directions.
- Kathlyn Lake
- Lakelse Lake
- Maxan Lake
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Every lake we cover in the Skeena, with today's conditions
| Lake | Score | High / low | Wind | Max depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Lake | 77 | 14° / 7° | 10 | Not surveyed |
| Getzuni Lake | 59 | 13° / 6° | 21 | 8.0 m |
| Keynton Lake | 91 | 20° / 9° | 12 | 7.92 m |
| Knapp Lake | 48 | 13° / 7° | 21 | 36.0 m |
| Seeley Lake | 92 | 20° / 10° | 12 | 2.7 m |
| Torkelsen Lake | 84 | 15° / 6° | 6 | Not surveyed |
| Anzus Lake | 55 | 12° / 7° | 22 | 20.1 m |
| Cheslatta Lake | 44 | 14° / 7° | 21 | 72.5 m |
| Co-op Lake | 67 | 13° / 6° | 18 | 10.4 m |
| Eye Lake | 71 | 13° / 5° | 18 | Not surveyed |
| Morley Lake | 81 | 14° / 2° | 10 | Not surveyed |
| Pine Lake | 89 | 20° / 10° | 10 | 14.33 m |
| Sunshine (Ant) Lake | 79 | 14° / 6° | 15 | Not surveyed |
| Teslin Lake | 66 | 15° / 5° | 14 | 214 m |
| Uncha Lake | 44 | 14° / 8° | 21 | 36.88 m |
| Alastair Lake | 45 | 20° / 11° | 12 | Not surveyed |
| Atlin Lake | 48 | 14° / 6° | 12 | 289 m |
| Binta Lake | 48 | 13° / 8° | 21 | 40.23 m |
| Brewster Lakes | 75 | 12° / 5° | 18 | Not surveyed |
| Burns Lake | 48 | 14° / 7° | 18 | 40.0 m |
| Como Lake | 89 | 14° / 4° | 10 | Not surveyed |
| Derrick Lake | 96 | 17° / 7° | 8 | Not surveyed |
| Dog Lake | 92 | 18° / 7° | 6 | Not surveyed |
| Dunalter Lake (Irrigation Lake) | 70 | 14° / 7° | 14 | 18.0 m |
| Elizabeth Lake | 96 | 18° / 7° | 9 | 10.4 m |
| François Lake | 58 | 14° / 9° | 21 | 244.4 m |
| Graham Lake | 72 | 12° / 7° | 22 | Not surveyed |
| Guyishton Lake | 69 | 13° / 5° | 18 | Not surveyed |
| Helen Lake | 77 | 14° / 4° | 15 | 4.0 m |
| Hewson Lake | 66 | 12° / 6° | 21 | 5 m |
| Kitsumkalum Lake | 64 | 21° / 12° | 7 | 139 m |
| Lakelse Lake | 77 | 21° / 11° | 10 | 31.7 m |
| Maud Lake | 57 | 14° / 6° | 18 | Not surveyed |
| Meuoon Lake | 80 | 12° / 7° | 22 | Not surveyed |
| Mitten Lake | 95 | 18° / 8° | 8 | 10.1 m |
| Mollice Lake | 52 | 14° / 8° | 21 | 19 m |
| Nellian Lake | 59 | 12° / 6° | 21 | 5 m |
| Octopus Lake | 94 | 17° / 5° | 8 | Not surveyed |
| Onion Lake | 96 | 20° / 10° | 10 | Not surveyed |
| Ootsa Lake | 45 | 13° / 8° | 19 | Not surveyed |
| Ootsanee Lake | − | − | − | 29 m |
| Paddy Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Palmer Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Pentz Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Pinkut Lake | − | − | − | 31.7 m |
| Richmond Lake | − | − | − | 36.6 m |
| Robinson Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Ross (Six Mile) Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Scott Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Skunsnat Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Spirit Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Summit Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Taltapin Lake | − | − | − | 95.71 m |
| Trout Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Wapoose Lake | − | − | − | 5.0 m |
| Wilson Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Aldrich Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Allan Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Anzac Lake | − | − | − | 13.11 m |
| Augier Lake | − | − | − | 60.35 m |
| Babine Lake | − | − | − | 186 m |
| Baby Charlotte Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Basalt Lake | − | − | − | 3.5 m |
| Bennett Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Big Loon Lake | − | − | − | 9.0 m |
| Bill Nye Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Bird Lake | − | − | − | 13 m |
| Bittern Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Bob Quinn Lake | − | − | − | 27.0 m |
| Bonney Lake | − | − | − | 86 m |
| Bonus Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Borel Lake | − | − | − | 18.9 m |
| Boya Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Broman Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Buckinghorse Lake | − | − | − | 41 m |
| Buckley Lake | − | − | − | 27 m |
| Camsell Lake | − | − | − | 62.18 m |
| Casey Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Chapman Lake | − | − | − | 32.6 m |
| Charlotte Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Cicuta Lake | − | − | − | 12 m |
| Clearwater Lakes | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Clements Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Collins Lake | − | − | − | 25.6 m |
| Conrad Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Cow Lake | − | − | − | 13 m |
| Damshilgwit Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Day Lake | − | − | − | 25.3 m |
| Dease Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Decker Lake | − | − | − | 16.0 m |
| Division Lake | − | − | − | 6.1 m |
| Doris Lake | − | − | − | 15.24 m |
| Eastern Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Echo Lake | − | − | − | 7.5 m |
| Eddontenajon Lake | − | − | − | 71 m |
| Eutsuk Lake | − | − | − | 304.8 m |
| Footsore Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Francois Lake | − | − | − | 244.4 m |
| Gallic Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Gatcho Lake | − | − | − | 11.0 m |
| Grassham Lake | − | − | − | 23.77 m |
| Hankin Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Hannay Lake | − | − | − | 8.8 m |
| Hatin Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Helene Lake | − | − | − | 20.12 m |
| Hill-Tout Lake | − | − | − | 13 m |
| Holland Lakes | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Holland Lakes | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Hot Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Jigsaw Lake | − | − | − | 27 m |
| Johanson Lake | − | − | − | 52.5 m |
| Kager Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Kathlyn Lake | − | − | − | 9.4 m |
| Kinaskan Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Kitseguecla Lake | − | − | − | 15.2 m |
| Klahowya Lake | − | − | − | 11.0 m |
| Kleanza Lake | − | − | − | 17.98 m |
| Klinger Lake | − | − | − | 8.4 m |
| Knewstubb Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Koosawu Áa | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Kuthai Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Kuyakuz Lake | − | − | − | 14 m |
| Laidlaw Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Laidman Lake | − | − | − | 10.5 m |
| Lamprey Lake | − | − | − | 21.34 m |
| Ling Lake | − | − | − | 4.27 m |
| Little Fish Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Loch Garry | − | − | − | 8.2 m |
| Long Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Lund Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Marie Lake | − | − | − | 35.6 m |
| Maxan Lake | − | − | − | 24.99 m |
| McBride Lake | − | − | − | 26.82 m |
| McDonald Lake | − | − | − | 26.8 m |
| McDonell Lake | − | − | − | 8 m |
| Meziadin Lake | − | − | − | 133.8 m |
| Minerva Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Morchuea Lake | − | − | − | 7.6 m |
| Morice Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Morin Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Mosquito Lake | − | − | − | 62 m |
| Murray Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Nadina Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Naglico Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Natadesleen Lake | − | − | − | 12.0 m |
| Nilkitkwa Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Ogston Lake | − | − | − | 14.94 m |
| Ois Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Oweegee Lake | − | − | − | 3.4 m |
| Owen Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Parrott Lakes | − | − | − | 3.35 m |
| Parrott Lakes | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Paul Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Pettry Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Picket Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Pine Tree Lake | − | − | − | 8 m |
| Prudhomme Lake | − | − | − | 44.2 m |
| Pup Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Refuge Lake | − | − | − | 24.0 m |
| Rose Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Sawmill Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Seymour Lake | − | − | − | 9.1 m |
| Shelford Lake | − | − | − | 8.0 m |
| Silverthorne (Erickson) Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Sinkhole Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Stanley Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Stepp Lake | − | − | − | 32.31 m |
| Sucker Lake | − | − | − | 15.0 m |
| Sunset Lake | − | − | − | 25.6 m |
| Sustut Lakes | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Swans Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Sweeney Lake | − | − | − | 48.0 m |
| Tagetochlain Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Tagish Lake | − | − | − | 307 m |
| Takysie Lake | − | − | − | 11.6 m |
| Taltzen Lake | − | − | − | 3.7 m |
| Tchesinkut Lake | − | − | − | 149.0 m |
| Top Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
| Top Lake | − | − | − | 19.0 m |
| Twinkle Lake | − | − | − | 7.0 m |
| Tyhee Lake | − | − | − | 22.25 m |
| Wahla Lake | − | − | − | 69.0 m |
| West Lake | − | − | − | Not surveyed |
A dash means we have no observed forecast for that lake right now. We would rather leave it blank than fill it in.
Trout lakes near towns in the Skeena
Reading the water
Other BC fishing regions
Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.