Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
359-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 10 ft. This chart interpolates between a real shoreline and a known maximum depth. It will point you at likely water, but it is not a navigation product. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
The outline encloses 359 acres, worked by 3.6 miles of shoreline. At index 1.3 the outline is almost a bowl — read the depth changes, not the shoreline. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. Call it 1.3 mi long by 0.6 mi wide at the broadest reach. It sits in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. Deserter Lake sits 3 mi south — the closest neighbouring chart.
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 3 to 10 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 3 to 10 ft, winter 2 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 5 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 | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (5 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft | dawn | Break off the point (5 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 9 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 Stern Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Stern Lake is about 10 ft (3 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 rainbow trout on Stern Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 5 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 Stern 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.
Deserter Lake 3 mi · Justine Lake 6 mi · Tatin Lake 7 mi · Fraser Lake 7 mi · Top Lake 7 mi · Oona Lake 7 mi · Peta Lake 7 mi · Jean Lake 8 mi · Ormond Lake 8 mi · Owl Lake 10 mi · Hanson Lake 10 mi · Drywilliam Lake 10 mi
See how Stern 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. 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.