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Fishing Mcleese Lake: what the data says
534-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 152 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
The drawn water covers 533 acres wrapped in 6.4 miles of bank. A middling shoreline index (2) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. Roughly 16% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives.
Kokanee fishing at Mcleese Lake
Come spring, look for kokanee tight to the bank in 10 to 30 ft. Expect a summer slide to 30 to 70 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 80 ft. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 68 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning. A dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (129 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (68 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 (68 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Mcleese Lake
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 38 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon rigged through the warm months.
| 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 (38 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (68 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Mcleese Lake
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 40 to 90 ft, and winter fish settle into 25 to 70 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 68 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
| 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 (68 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 (68 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 129 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 68 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 38 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 38 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Mcleese 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 Mcleese Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Mcleese Lake?
Mcleese Lake is about 152 ft (46 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 Mcleese Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish on Mcleese Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Mcleese Lake?
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 68 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
When is the best time to fish Mcleese Lake?
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.
What are the fishing regulations for Mcleese Lake?
Fishing on Mcleese 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
Rimrock Lake 5 mi · Blue Lake 5 mi · Cuisson Lake 5 mi · Howes Lake 7 mi · Soap Lake 7 mi · Valerie Lake 8 mi · Croan Lake 8 mi · Souran Lake 9 mi · Tyee Lake 10 mi · Jackson Lake 10 mi · Tingley Lake 10 mi · Elk Lake 11 mi
See how Mcleese Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish 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.