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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Shared by DepthScout anglers. Exact spots stay private, always.
3,468-acre lake in Stikine Region, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 105 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 season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
There are 11.5 miles of drawn shoreline to work. With a shoreline index of 2.6, this water is all arms and coves — edge habitat well beyond its acreage. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 15% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 3.1 mi end to end and 1.2 mi across at its widest. The water lies in Stikine Region. For a second option, Onerka Lake lies 4 mi southeast.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: coho salmon in 3 to 25 ft. As the season builds they drop to 30 to 70 ft, wintering in 20 to 60 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 47 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + fly or a medium spoon above the thermocline gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Small orange dodger + peanut fly, Thin spoon (orange/silver) |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (47 ft) | Dodger + fly, Medium spoon above the thermocline |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Casting spoon, Spinner (chartreuse) |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | midday | Break off the point (47 ft) | Small spoon, slow troll |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 40 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for fall rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. 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 | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (47 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 40 to 90 ft, then a winter hold in 25 to 70 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 89 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in 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 | Break off the point (47 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (89 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (47 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 89 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 Motase Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Motase Lake is about 105 ft (32 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 coho salmon, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Motase Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 89 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For coho salmon, 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 Motase 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.
Onerka Lake 4 mi · Bear Lake 10 mi · Azuklotz Lake 12 mi · Gunanoot Lake 22 mi · Damsumlo Lake 28 mi · Smokee Lake 31 mi · Sucker Lake 40 mi · Sustut Lake 44 mi · Acorn Lake 48 mi · Clota Lake 48 mi · Nilkitkwa Lake 48 mi · Elizabeth Lake 48 mi
See how Motase Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best coho salmon lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Stikine Region fishing maps (88 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.