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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
1,925-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 88 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. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The drawn water covers 1,925 acres wrapped in 16.1 miles of bank — 5 islands included. The 2.6 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 20% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Figure 6.1 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.2 mi at the beam. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. Its nearest charted neighbour, Collins Lake, is 4 mi to the northeast.
Early season burbot use the shallows, holding in 25 to 70 ft. Expect a summer slide to 26 to 88 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 60 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 75 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (75 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 26 to 88 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (75 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (75 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (40 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Start shallow in spring: cutthroat trout sit in 3 to 15 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 10 to 35 ft; cold water stacks them in 10 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Main-lake point, a point in the 22 ft range, prime in fall. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (22 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (22 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (40 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Early season lake trout use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Expect a summer slide to 26 to 88 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 80 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 75 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (22 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 26 to 88 ft | dawn | Deep basin (75 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (22 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (75 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Spring puts lake whitefish in skinny water — 15 to 45 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 26 to 88 ft, wintering in 25 to 70 ft. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 75 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 (40 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 26 to 88 ft | dawn | Deep basin (75 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (22 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (75 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Mcbride Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 75 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 Mcbride Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Mcbride Lake is about 88 ft (27 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 burbot, cutthroat trout, lake trout, lake whitefish on Mcbride Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 75 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
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.
Fishing on Mcbride 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.
Collins Lake 4 mi · Lamprey Lake 4 mi · Anzac Lake 6 mi · Stepp Lake 8 mi · Bittern Lake 9 mi · Newcombe Lake 9 mi · Chisholm Lake 11 mi · Tagetochlain Lake 14 mi · Morice Lake 14 mi · Hill-Tout Lake 15 mi · Holland Lakes 15 mi · Nadina Lake 16 mi
See how Mcbride Lake stacks up: best lake trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia · best burbot lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat 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.