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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
526-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 159 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. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Drawn out, this is 526 acres of water rimmed by 9.5 miles of bank, broken up by an island. The 3 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. About 24% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 3.2 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.6 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. The nearest mapped water is Manson Lakes, 3 mi to the southeast.
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 10 to 30 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 30 to 70 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 80 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 72 ft, rated prime for summer 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 | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (135 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (72 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 (72 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 50 to 120 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 80 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 40 ft, rated prime for spring lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (40 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Break off the point (72 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (40 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (72 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
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 8 to 40 ft. Spring rainbow trout concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a good-rated weed flat around 6 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 | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (40 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (72 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Summer is a 40 to 90 ft game here, winter a 25 to 70 ft one. The chart's best answer is Break off the point — drop-off, 72 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 | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Break off the point (72 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | open water | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (72 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 135 ft.
Access data: British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails - Recreation Sites Subset. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Manson Lakes specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Manson Lakes is about 159 ft (48 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, lake trout, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Manson Lakes.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 40 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each 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 Manson Lakes 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.
Manson Lakes 3 mi · Wolverine Lakes 5 mi · Curve Lake 16 mi · Germansen Lake 19 mi · Skunk Lake 20 mi · Tsaydaychi Lake 21 mi · Spring Lake 23 mi · Klawli Lake 24 mi · Nina Lake 25 mi · Wudtsi Lake 25 mi · Munro Lake 26 mi · Finger Lake 28 mi
See how Manson Lakes stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake 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.