BC Sport Fishing - North East BC, Northern British Columbia, Canada

In the far north, lakes may be either too shallow or too deep, and fish stocks don't do well. Shallow water freezes solid in winter, while deeper lakes never really warm up in summer, stunting fish growth. With that said, there are fish beyond count in these waters, both wild and introduced. Prime species include various types of trout, char, arctic grayling, dolly varden, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and northern pike.

Almost every provincial park supports sportfishing, and many Forest Service recreation sites were built specifically for anglers looking for a place to park near their favourite spot. Along Highway 97, the lakes on and surrounding Crooked River provide good fishing. You'll find squawfish, char, and rainbow trout in Summit Lake and lakes along the Crooked River chain, while surrounding lakes also have brook trout, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and arctic grayling. In particular, try Bear and Hart Lakes, located within the borders of Crooked River Provincial Park, 43 miles (70 km) north of Prince George along Highway 97 (watch for powerboat restrictions).

Fifty-six miles (90 km) north of Prince George, along Hwy 97, is the turnoff to the Tacheeda Lakes. Rainbow trout are the prime catch here; but if you're not having much luck, or Tacheeda is too crowded, try one of the other lakes in the area, including Goose, Cat, Hambone, or Fishhook Lakes. You can also drop a line into the nearby Parsnip River, which runs all the way north to Williston Lake.

McLeod Lake, the lake, is located just south of McLeod Lake, the town. There's a boat launch at Whiskers Point Provincial Park, and good arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and char fishing. Carp Lake, 20 miles (32 km) west of McLeod Lake (the town), boasts . . . guess what?

North of McLeod Lake is Tudyah Lake Provincial Park, where you'll enjoy good squawfish angling, with some rainbow and bull trout. From here, a rat's nest of Forest Service roads bring the angler into a fisherman's paradise far too expansive (and too difficult) to describe without a good map. Or you can just head for Finlay Bay on Williston Lake. You can't miss it; it's the largest body of water in the province. Whether or not you can catch a fish here, well, that depends on your skill and if the fish are biting when you cast a line. Talk to local outfitters for information on where to catch what in this gigantic lake.

Highway 97 follows the Pine River through the Pine Pass. Simply pick a Forest Service recreation site along the road and toss in a line. Further east, 15.5 miles (25 km) past Chetwynd, is East Pine Provincial Park, where the East Pine and Murray Rivers come together. There's a boat launch in the park, and the rivers offer good bull trout fishing.

Cast a line in the Sukunka River for dolly varden and arctic grayling. Watch for the turnoff for Sukunka Forest Service Road, 12 miles (20 km) south of Chetwynd along Hwy 29. Continuing along Hwy 29, south of Gwillim Lake Provincial Park, is Moose Lake, popular with the locals for lake trout.

The Kiskatinaw River flows along the east side of Dawson Creek, then bends north around the town. Kiskatinaw Provincial Park, which has access to the river, is right beside the historic bridge on Hwy 97, offering good fishing for pike, and possibly bull and rainbow trout, right near town. Even better fishing is found on the Peace River near its confluence with the Kiskatinaw. Use the boat launch at Blackfoot Regional Park, northeast of Dawson Creek near the town of Clayhurst.

Just north of Fort St. John is Charlie Lake. Walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch are found here, and there are boat launches at Beatton Lake Provincial Park and Charlie Lake Provincial Park, about 4 miles (6 km) north of Fort St. John.

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