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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
207-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 49 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Bear Creek Reservoir draws 206 acres inside 4.3 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2.1) — enough points and pockets to pattern. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 56% of this chart. End to end it runs roughly 1.8 mi, about 0.2 mi across. You'll find it in Capital Regional District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Forslund Lake, 2 mi southeast of here.
These fish are listed in an exact-water agency record as forage or ecological context. They are not target-species profiles and do not affect DepthScout's Prime, Good, or Fair spot ratings.
Official exact-water fish record. The listing documents source-recorded presence, not present abundance or guaranteed catchability.
When the water first warms, cutthroat trout slide up into 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 10 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 40 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 10 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (10 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Deep basin (26 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Count 5 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 26 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Bear Creek Reservoir specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Bear Creek Reservoir is about 49 ft (15 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, rainbow trout on Bear Creek Reservoir.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in fall. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For cutthroat trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Bear Creek Reservoir is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Forslund Lake 2 mi · Ranger Lake 2 mi · Boulder Lake 3 mi · Butler Lake 4 mi · Tugwell Lake 4 mi · Weeks Lake 6 mi · Macdonald Lake 8 mi · Jarvis Lake 8 mi · Boneyard Lake 8 mi · Young Lake 9 mi · Poirier Lake 10 mi · Sooke Lake 10 mi
See how Bear Creek Reservoir stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Capital Regional District fishing maps (60 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.