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.
377-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 16 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. The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Traced from the shoreline, Cripple Lake runs 377 acres with 4.2 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.5) — enough points and pockets to pattern. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 90% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. End to end it runs roughly 1.4 mi, about 0.8 mi across. You'll find it in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. The nearest mapped water is Otterson Lake, 5 mi to the southwest.
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 5 to 16 ft. Summer keeps them at 5 to 16 ft, and they winter in 4 to 16 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for spring kokanee. Time it for early morning. 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 | 5 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 2 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 4 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 4 to 16 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 4 to 16 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 16 ft. Winter rainbow trout concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 7 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 | 4 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 4 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 3 to 16 ft | dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 5 to 16 ft. Even in summer they hold at 5 to 16 ft; winter keeps them in 5 to 16 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 14 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is 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 | 5 to 16 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 5 to 16 ft | dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 4 to 16 ft | dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 5 to 16 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (14 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 14 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 Cripple Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Cripple Lake is about 16 ft (5 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 Cripple Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every 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 Cripple 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.
Otterson Lake 5 mi · Kalder Lake 8 mi · Sheshenadji Lake 9 mi · Salmon Lake 12 mi · Chichonajilh Lake 13 mi · Gidegingla Lake 16 mi · Philip Lakes 17 mi · Mudzenchoot Lake 17 mi · Tezzeron Lake 18 mi · Webberly Lake 19 mi · Ocock Lake 19 mi · Inzana Lake 19 mi
See how Cripple 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: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 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.