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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
272-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 36 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Skinny Lake maps at 272 acres behind 4.8 miles of shoreline — one island included. With a 2.1 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. About 45% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 1.6 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.7 mi at the beam. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. Short Portage Lake sits 1 mi west — the closest neighbouring chart.
Come spring, look for burbot tight to the bank in 11 to 36 ft. Through summer count on 11 to 36 ft; the winter hold is 9 to 36 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 31 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 | 11 to 36 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 11 to 36 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (31 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 11 to 36 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 9 to 36 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (31 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Spring kokanee on Skinny Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 30 ft. By summer they slide out to 11 to 36 ft, and by winter most fish are in 9 to 36 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 31 ft, prime for summer. 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 | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 11 to 36 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 36 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 9 to 36 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Early season rainbow trout use the shallows, holding in 5 to 20 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 7 to 36 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 16 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 (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 7 to 36 ft | dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake whitefish in 11 to 36 ft. The depth story barely changes: 11 to 36 ft through summer, 11 to 36 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 31 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 | 11 to 36 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (16 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 11 to 36 ft | dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (16 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 11 to 36 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (31 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Skinny Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 31 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 Skinny Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Skinny Lake is about 36 ft (11 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.
Anglers target burbot, kokanee, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Skinny Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 31 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For burbot, the summer bite is best in after dark and midday. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Skinny 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.
Short Portage Lake 1 mi · Horseshoe Lake 2 mi · Needle Lake 4 mi · Shelford Lake 5 mi · Fish Lake 5 mi · Twinkle Lake 6 mi · Nadina Lake 7 mi · Hill-Tout Lake 10 mi · Tagetochlain Lake 13 mi · Newcombe Lake 14 mi · Jewell Lake 14 mi · Sweeney Lake 14 mi
See how Skinny 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
More water nearby: Bulkley-Nechako Regional District fishing maps (324 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. 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.