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Fishing Ross Lake: what the data says
212-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 23 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Ross Lake maps at 212 acres behind 3.9 miles of shoreline. A middling shoreline index (1.9) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. About 80% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Ross Lake
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 6 to 23 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 23 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 10 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| 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 | 6 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 23 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Kokanee fishing at Ross Lake
Spring kokanee on Ross Lake hold shallow, usually 7 to 23 ft. The depth story barely changes: 7 to 23 ft through summer, 6 to 23 ft in winter. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 20 ft, prime for spring. Prime time lands in early morning. The summer box starts with a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 7 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 3 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 6 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Ross Lake
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake whitefish in 7 to 23 ft. Even in summer they hold at 7 to 23 ft; winter keeps them in 7 to 23 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 20-ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 7 to 23 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 23 ft | dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 7 to 23 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Burbot fishing at Ross Lake
Come spring, look for burbot tight to the bank in 7 to 23 ft. The depth story barely changes: 7 to 23 ft through summer, 6 to 23 ft in winter. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 20 ft of water and rates prime come spring. Prime time lands in after dark and midday. A heavy jig + cut bait is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 7 to 23 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (20 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 6 to 23 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (20 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 20 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 10 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
Ross Lake 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 Ross Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Ross Lake?
Ross Lake is about 23 ft (7 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 Ross Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on Ross Lake. 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 Ross Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Ross Lake?
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 Ross Lake?
Fishing on Ross 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.
Nearby waters
Henri Lake 4 mi · Owen Lake 9 mi · Beaver Lake 10 mi · Alex Graham Lake 11 mi · Callanan Lake 12 mi · Stum Lake 12 mi · Meldrum Lake 14 mi · Riske Creek Reservoir 17 mi · Natsy Lake 17 mi · Knox Lake 17 mi · Anah Lake 17 mi · Dester Lake 18 mi
See how Ross Lake 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.