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.
145-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 36 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The outline encloses 145 acres, worked by 3.2 miles of shoreline, broken up by an island. A middling shoreline index (1.9) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 49% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.8 mi with a 0.5-mi widest point. Bulkley-Nechako Regional District claims this one. If the bite dies, Stern Lake is 3 mi to the north.
Come spring, look for rainbow trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 7 to 36 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 16 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is 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 (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 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 36 ft | dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Deserter Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 31 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 Deserter Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Deserter Lake is about 36 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.
Anglers target rainbow trout on Deserter Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 16 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by 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 Deserter 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.
Stern Lake 3 mi · Fraser Lake 6 mi · Tatin Lake 7 mi · Foster Lakes 8 mi · Justine Lake 8 mi · Oona Lake 9 mi · Drywilliam Lake 9 mi · Top Lake 10 mi · Peta Lake 10 mi · Ormond Lake 10 mi · Savory Lake 10 mi · Jean Lake 10 mi
See how Deserter Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout 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.