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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
190-acre lake in Mount Waddington Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 180 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
On the chart, Benson Lake draws 190 acres inside 3.2 miles of shoreline. Index 1.7 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. About 3% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 1.3 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.4 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Mount Waddington Regional District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Maynard Lake, 1 mi northeast of here.
Early season cutthroat trout use the shallows, holding in 3 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 40 ft. Put Main-lake point first on the milk run — a point near 45 ft that grades good for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (81 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (45 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Main-lake point (45 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a feeding flat in the 6 ft range, good in spring. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (45 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (81 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Benson Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 153 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 Benson Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Benson Lake is about 180 ft (55 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, rainbow trout on Benson Lake.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 45 ft of water that rates good for cutthroat trout in winter. Open the map above to see every rated 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 Benson Lake 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.
Maynard Lake 1 mi · Iron Lake 2 mi · Kathleen Lake 2 mi · Three Isle Lake 4 mi · Angler Lake 6 mi · Victoria Lake 6 mi · Keogh Lake 8 mi · Alice Lake 9 mi · O'Connor Lake 10 mi · Nimpkish Lake 12 mi · Sara Lake 12 mi · D Lake 12 mi
See how Benson Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Mount Waddington Regional District fishing maps (56 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.