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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
77-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 23 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
Sam Hardy Lake maps at 77 acres behind 1.7 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. There is no deep basin to speak of — the entire surface is under ~15 ft, prime weed water end to end. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.7 mi with a 0.3-mi widest point. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. If the bite dies, Davidson Lake is 3 mi to the northeast.
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 23 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 23 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 7 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in 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 | Break off the point (7 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (7 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 23 ft | dawn | Break off the point (7 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Sam Hardy Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 17 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 Sam Hardy Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Sam Hardy Lake is about 23 ft (7 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 rainbow trout on Sam Hardy Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
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.
Fishing on Sam Hardy 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.
Davidson Lake 3 mi · Natalkuz Lake 4 mi · Smith Lake 6 mi · Mcdonell Lake 7 mi · Robison Lake 7 mi · Mackenzie Lake 8 mi · Enz Lake 8 mi · Chaoborus Lake 9 mi · Cheslatta Lake 10 mi · White Eye Lake 10 mi · Sather Lake 10 mi · Ootsanee Lake 13 mi
See how Sam Hardy Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 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.