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Fishing Clota Lake: what the data says
96-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 37 ft. The chart is a model: real shoreline, published maximum depth, interpolated in between. A planning tool, never a navigation product. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, Clota Lake draws 96 acres inside 2 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.5) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 74% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water.
Burbot fishing at Clota Lake
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 11 to 37 ft is the zone. Even in summer they hold at 11 to 37 ft; winter keeps them in 9 to 37 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for spring burbot. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 11 to 37 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 11 to 37 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (31 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 11 to 37 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 9 to 37 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Cutthroat Trout fishing at Clota Lake
Come spring, look for cutthroat trout tight to the bank in 3 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 9 to 37 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 17 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon (small) or a inline spinner is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (17 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 9 to 37 ft | dawn | Break off the point (17 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Northern Pike fishing at Clota Lake
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 4-ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (17 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (17 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Clota Lake
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 7 to 37 ft. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 17 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. 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 | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (17 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 7 to 37 ft | dawn | Break off the point (17 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 31 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 17 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 9 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 9 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 4 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 4 ft
Clota Lake fishing regulations
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 Clota Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Clota Lake?
Clota Lake is about 37 ft (11 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.
What fish are in Clota Lake?
Anglers target northern pike, rainbow trout, burbot, cutthroat trout on Clota Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Clota Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 31 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
When is the best time to fish Clota Lake?
For burbot, the summer bite is best in after dark and midday. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
What are the fishing regulations for Clota Lake?
Fishing on Clota 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.
Nearby waters
Nilkitkwa Lake 2 mi · Acorn Lake 3 mi · Fission Lake 3 mi · Haul Lake 6 mi · Tahlo Lake 7 mi · Sucker Lake 9 mi · Friday Lake 11 mi · Nakinilerak Lake 15 mi · Torkelsen Lake 21 mi · Hautete Lake 23 mi · Bristol Lake 25 mi · Pine Tree Lake 28 mi
See how Clota Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in British Columbia · best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best burbot lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.