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Fishing River Lakes: what the data says
43-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 20 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:
On the chart, River Lakes draws 43 acres inside 1.8 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.9) — enough points and pockets to pattern. 82% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water.
Rainbow Trout fishing at River Lakes
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 5 to 20 ft, winter 4 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for winter 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 | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (9 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (9 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Kokanee fishing at River Lakes
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 6 to 20 ft. Summer keeps them at 6 to 20 ft, and they winter in 5 to 20 ft. Spring kokanee concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 17 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 | 6 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Lake Whitefish fishing at River Lakes
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 6 to 20 ft. Summer keeps them at 6 to 20 ft, and they winter in 6 to 20 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 17 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 | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (9 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 20 ft | dusk | Break off the point (9 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 6 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Burbot fishing at River Lakes
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 6 to 20 ft is the zone. The depth story barely changes: 6 to 20 ft through summer, 5 to 20 ft in winter. Spring burbot concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 17 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 | 6 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 6 to 20 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 5 to 20 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 17 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 9 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 8 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 3 ft
River Lakes 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 River Lakes specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is River Lakes?
River Lakes is about 20 ft (6 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 River Lakes?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on River Lakes. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Where is the best fishing spot on River Lakes?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
When is the best time to fish River Lakes?
For rainbow 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.
What are the fishing regulations for River Lakes?
Fishing on River Lakes 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
Pollard Lake 3 mi · Mckinley Lake 3 mi · Beaverdam Lake 3 mi · Trurans Lake 6 mi · Valenzuela Lake 9 mi · Big Bar Lake 10 mi · Bishop Lake 10 mi · Bullock Lake 10 mi · Eightythree Lake 11 mi · Marsden Lake 14 mi · Davis Lake 14 mi · White Lake 14 mi
See how River Lakes 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.