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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
853-acre lake in Fraser-Fort George Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 60 ft. These contours are modeled — built from the real shoreline and the water's maximum depth — so read them as a guide, never as navigation. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Traced from the shoreline, Ness Lake runs 853 acres with 16.6 miles of edge — 2 islands included. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 4.1) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 45% of this chart, as modeled. Figure 3.3 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.5 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Fraser-Fort George Regional District. For a second option, Heron Lake lies 1 mi southeast.
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 2 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 3 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (27 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Start shallow in spring: kokanee sit in 10 to 30 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 18 to 60 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 51 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 (27 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 18 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (27 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | dawn | Deep basin (51 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
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 27 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 (15 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (27 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (15 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (27 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Ness Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 51 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 Ness Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Ness Lake is about 60 ft (18 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 brook trout, kokanee, rainbow trout on Ness Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 51 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For brook 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.
Fishing on Ness 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.
Heron Lake 1 mi · Circle Lake 2 mi · Verdant Lake 3 mi · Camp Lake 3 mi · Vivian Lake 3 mi · Reid Lake 4 mi · Kathie Lake 4 mi · Bow Lake 4 mi · Murch Lake 4 mi · Brule Lake 4 mi · Byers Lake 4 mi · Crescent Lake 5 mi
See how Ness Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best brook trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Fraser-Fort George Regional District fishing maps (188 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.