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Rating depth structure for smallmouth bass.
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54-acre lake in Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 26 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
On the chart, Oliphant Lake draws 54 acres inside 2.4 miles of shoreline — one island included. The 2.3 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 93% of this chart. Call it 0.8 mi long by 0.3 mi wide at the broadest reach. You'll find it in Cowichan Valley Regional District. For a second option, Spectacle Lake lies 2 mi south.
Spring cutthroat trout on Oliphant Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 7 to 26 ft, and by winter most fish are in 7 to 26 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 22 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (2 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 7 to 26 ft | dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 26 ft before dropping to 8 to 26 ft for winter. Winter smallmouth bass concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 2 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 8 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (2 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 8 to 26 ft | midday | Break off the point (2 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 7 to 26 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 26 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 22 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (22 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 26 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (22 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 26 ft | dawn | Deep basin (22 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
6 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 22 ft, is the deepest of them.
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 Oliphant Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Oliphant Lake is about 26 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout on Oliphant Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 22 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in winter. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For cutthroat 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 Oliphant 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.
Spectacle Lake 2 mi · Shawnigan Lake 4 mi · Brentwood Bay and Tod Inlet 5 mi · Butchart Lake 5 mi · Pease Lake 5 mi · Wrigglesworth Lake 6 mi · Lubbe Lake 6 mi · Durrance Lake 6 mi · Third Lake 6 mi · Sooke Lake 6 mi · Council Lake 7 mi · Goldstream Lake 7 mi
See how Oliphant Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in British Columbia · best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Cowichan Valley Regional District fishing maps (30 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. 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.