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Fishing Mcdowell Lake: what the data says
78-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 56 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Traced from the shoreline, Mcdowell Lake runs 78 acres with 1.9 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 52% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Mcdowell Lake
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 25-ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (25 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Kokanee fishing at Mcdowell Lake
Start shallow in spring: kokanee sit in 10 to 30 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 17 to 56 ft, and winter fish settle into 14 to 56 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 48 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. Throw a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 17 to 56 ft | dawn | Deep basin (48 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 14 to 56 ft | dawn | Deep basin (48 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Mcdowell Lake
When the water first warms, lake whitefish slide up into 15 to 45 ft. Summer is a 17 to 56 ft game here, winter a 17 to 56 ft one. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 48 ft of water and rates prime come summer. The feeding windows run early morning. Keep a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (25 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 17 to 56 ft | dawn | Deep basin (48 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (25 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 17 to 56 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (48 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Burbot fishing at Mcdowell Lake
Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 17 to 56 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 17 to 56 ft, and winter fish hold in 14 to 56 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 48-ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in after dark and midday and you'll meet the bite. Throw a heavy jig + cut bait until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 17 to 56 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (48 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 17 to 56 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (48 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 17 to 56 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (48 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 14 to 56 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (48 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 48 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 25 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 14 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 14 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Mcdowell 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 Mcdowell Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Mcdowell Lake?
Mcdowell Lake is about 56 ft (17 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 Mcdowell Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on Mcdowell Lake. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Where is the best fishing spot on Mcdowell Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 48 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
When is the best time to fish Mcdowell Lake?
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.
What are the fishing regulations for Mcdowell Lake?
Fishing on Mcdowell 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
Tyhee Lake 4 mi · Round Lake 5 mi · Seymour Lake 8 mi · Bigelow Lake 9 mi · Guess Lake 9 mi · Kathlyn Lake 12 mi · Deception Lake 12 mi · North Lake 15 mi · Coppermine Lake 15 mi · Toboggan Lake 15 mi · Mcquarrie Lake 15 mi · Aldrich Lake 17 mi
See how Mcdowell Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia · best burbot 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.