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Rating depth structure for kokanee.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
515-acre lake in Fraser-Fort George Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 69 ft. The depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Salmon Lake maps at 515 acres behind 4 miles of shoreline. A shoreline index of 1.3 says round and simple: fish relate to depth changes here, not shoreline features. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 35% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. The basin spans about 1.4 mi end to end and 1 mi across at its widest. Fraser-Fort George Regional District claims this one. Mackinnon Lake sits 10 mi east — the closest neighbouring chart.
Come spring, look for kokanee tight to the bank in 10 to 30 ft. They move out to 21 to 69 ft in summer and finish the year down in 17 to 69 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 66 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. A dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (33 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 21 to 69 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (66 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (33 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 17 to 69 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (66 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. Summer is an 8 to 30 ft game here, winter an 8 to 40 ft one. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 33 ft of water and rates prime come winter. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon rigged through the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (5 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (33 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (33 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (33 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 21 to 69 ft before dropping to 21 to 69 ft for winter. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 66 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (33 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 21 to 69 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (66 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (33 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 21 to 69 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (66 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
In spring, dolly varden run shallow here, mostly 1 to 30 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 40 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 1 ft, rated prime for spring dolly varden. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a small chrome spoon or a baitfish streamer most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 30 ft | dawn & midday | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small silver spoon, Inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (5 ft) | Small chrome spoon, Baitfish streamer |
| Fall | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small spinner, Egg or fry pattern |
| Winter | 8 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (33 ft) | Small slow spoon, Weighted baitfish fly |
Structure-wise the chart holds 7 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 66 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 Salmon Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Salmon Lake is about 69 ft (21 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target kokanee, rainbow trout, lake whitefish, dolly varden on Salmon Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 66 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 kokanee, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Salmon 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.
Mackinnon Lake 10 mi · Cripple Lake 12 mi · Munlo Lake 14 mi · Otterson Lake 15 mi · Philip Lakes 16 mi · Clarkston Lake 16 mi · Ocock Lake 16 mi · Dace Lake 18 mi · Sheshenadji Lake 18 mi · Kalder Lake 19 mi · Lho Lakes 19 mi · Gates Lake 19 mi
See how Salmon Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Fraser-Fort George Regional District fishing maps (188 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Depth data: British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch, FISS lake surveys. 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.