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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,583-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 62 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
The drawn water covers 1,583 acres wrapped in 16 miles of bank, with 4 islands in the mix. With a shoreline index of 2.9, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. 58% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft) — cover, weeds and forage water. Figure 3.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.3 mi at the beam. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. If the bite dies, Thletelban Lake is 7 mi to the northwest.
Come spring, look for rainbow trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 40 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 32 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (32 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (32 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring puts lake whitefish in skinny water — 15 to 45 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 19 to 62 ft, wintering in 19 to 62 ft. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 49 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 19 to 62 ft | dawn | Deep basin (49 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (32 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 19 to 62 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (49 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 49 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 Chief Louis Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Chief Louis Lake is about 62 ft (19 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 rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Chief Louis Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 49 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For rainbow 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 Chief Louis 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.
Thletelban Lake 7 mi · Ghitezli Lake 10 mi · White Eye Lake 14 mi · Blanchet Lake 15 mi · Glatheli Lake 16 mi · Island Lake 16 mi · Robison Lake 17 mi · Skins Lake 18 mi · Tetachuck Lake 18 mi · Enz Lake 18 mi · Natalkuz Lake 19 mi · Mcdonell Lake 19 mi
See how Chief Louis Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or 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.