Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
999-acre lake in Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 126 ft. The depth picture is modeled, anchored to the true shoreline and the water's published max depth — a scouting aid, never a chart to run a boat by. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
Traced from the shoreline, Birkenhead Lake runs 999 acres with 9.2 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2.1) — enough points and pockets to pattern. Roughly 6% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives. End to end it runs roughly 3.9 mi, about 0.7 mi across. The water lies in Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Blackwater Lake, 5 mi east of here.
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 10 to 30 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 30 to 70 ft before dropping to 20 to 80 ft for winter. Summer kokanee concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 57 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (107 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (57 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (57 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 40 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 32 ft, rated prime for fall rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| 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 | Main-lake point (32 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (32 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (57 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 40 to 90 ft, then a winter hold in 25 to 70 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 57 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Break off the point (57 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (32 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (57 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Birkenhead Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 107 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 Birkenhead Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Birkenhead Lake is about 126 ft (38 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 kokanee, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Birkenhead Lake.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 32 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For kokanee, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Birkenhead 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.
Blackwater Lake 5 mi · Gates Lake 5 mi · Cerulean Lake 6 mi · Ogre Lake 8 mi · Tenquille Lake 10 mi · Ivey Lake 14 mi · Mosquito Lake 14 mi · Lower Joffre Lake 15 mi · Anderson Lake 15 mi · Mead Lake 18 mi · Keary Lake 18 mi · Duffey Lake 19 mi
See how Birkenhead Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District fishing maps (48 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.