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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
614-acre lake in Strathcona Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 213 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, Stafford Lake draws 614 acres inside 8 miles of shoreline. An index of 2.3 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 9% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 2.6 mi with a 1-mi widest point. The water lies in Strathcona Regional District. For a second option, Phillips Lake lies 13 mi south.
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 10 to 30 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 30 to 70 ft before dropping to 20 to 80 ft for winter. 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 | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | open water | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | open water | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 40 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a feeding flat at roughly 6 ft, rated good for spring 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 | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Come spring, look for dolly varden tight to the bank in 1 to 30 ft. Expect a summer slide to 2 to 40 ft, then a winter hold in 8 to 45 ft. Start at Main-lake point. It's a point holding about 53 ft of water and rates good come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A small chrome spoon or a baitfish streamer is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 30 ft | dawn & midday | open water | Small silver spoon, Inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (53 ft) | Small chrome spoon, Baitfish streamer |
| Fall | 1 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small spinner, Egg or fry pattern |
| Winter | 8 to 45 ft | midday | Main-lake point (53 ft) | Small slow spoon, Weighted baitfish fly |
The chart marks 5 structure features on Stafford Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 181 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 Stafford Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Stafford Lake is about 213 ft (65 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 kokanee, rainbow trout, dolly varden on Stafford Lake.
Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 6 ft of water that rates good for rainbow trout in spring. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
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 Stafford 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.
Phillips Lake 13 mi · Glendale Lake 13 mi · Tom Browne Lake 17 mi · Kakweiken Lake 24 mi · Lapan Lake 25 mi · Fulmore Lake 26 mi · Seabird Lake 27 mi · Leask Lake 27 mi · Devereux Lake 32 mi · Mccreight Lake 33 mi · Stella Lake 34 mi · Pye Lake 34 mi
See how Stafford Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Strathcona Regional District fishing maps (85 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps. 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.