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Fishing Nechako Reservoir: what the data says
122,799-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 299 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.
On the chart, Nechako Reservoir draws 122,419 acres inside 315.2 miles of shoreline. A development index of 6.4 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. Roughly 12% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives.
Burbot fishing at Nechako Reservoir
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 25 to 70 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 50 to 120 ft, wintering in 15 to 60 ft. Winter burbot concentrate at Offshore hump, a prime-rated offshore hump around 46 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Offshore hump (65 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Offshore hump (79 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Offshore hump (79 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Offshore hump (46 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Kokanee fishing at Nechako Reservoir
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 10 to 30 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 30 to 70 ft before dropping to 20 to 80 ft for winter. Summer kokanee concentrate at Offshore hump, a prime-rated offshore hump around 65 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. 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 (254 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Offshore hump (65 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Sharp break (46 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Offshore hump (79 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Nechako Reservoir
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. Shoreline point is the standout, a point at roughly 15 ft, rated prime for spring 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 | Shoreline point (15 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (28 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (28 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Sharp break (46 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Nechako Reservoir
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 Offshore hump first on the milk run — a offshore hump near 79 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 | Offshore hump (46 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Offshore hump (79 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Shoreline point (28 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Offshore hump (65 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 254 ft
- Sharp break: drop-off, around 143 ft
- Deep break: drop-off, around 82 ft
- Offshore hump: offshore hump, around 79 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 75 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 75 ft
- Offshore hump: offshore hump, around 67 ft
- Offshore hump: offshore hump, around 65 ft
- Offshore hump: offshore hump, around 51 ft
- Deep break: drop-off, around 51 ft
- Deep break: drop-off, around 51 ft
- Deep break: drop-off, around 49 ft
- Sharp break: drop-off, around 46 ft
- Offshore hump: offshore hump, around 46 ft
Nechako Reservoir 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 Nechako Reservoir specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Nechako Reservoir?
Nechako Reservoir is about 299 ft (91 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 Nechako Reservoir?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on Nechako Reservoir.
Where is the best fishing spot on Nechako Reservoir?
Offshore hump is the top-rated area: a offshore hump in about 46 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
When is the best time to fish Nechako Reservoir?
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.
What are the fishing regulations for Nechako Reservoir?
Fishing on Nechako Reservoir 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
Glatheli Lake 4 mi · Ghitezli Lake 10 mi · Thletelban Lake 13 mi · St. Thomas Lake 16 mi · Blanchet Lake 18 mi · Fish Lake 18 mi · Chief Louis Lake 20 mi · Eutsuk Lake 21 mi · Horseshoe Lake 21 mi · Redfish Lake 22 mi · Skinny Lake 22 mi · Short Portage Lake 22 mi
See how Nechako Reservoir 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.