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Rating depth structure for kokanee.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
147-acre lake in Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 102 ft. Bathymetry on this water is estimated from its real outline and maximum depth. Use it to shortlist water, then verify with your electronics — and never navigate by it. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
Sugsaw Lake maps at 147 acres behind 3.6 miles of shoreline, with 3 islands in the mix. With a 2.1 development index there's bank structure worth casting at, in moderation. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 26% of this chart, as modeled. End to end it runs roughly 1.2 mi, about 0.4 mi across. It sits in Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. Pachena Lake sits 3 mi east — the closest neighbouring chart.
In spring, cutthroat trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 35 ft before dropping to 10 to 40 ft for winter. Summer cutthroat trout concentrate at Main-lake point, a prime-rated point around 26 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Main-lake point (26 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Early season kokanee use the shallows, holding in 10 to 30 ft. Expect a summer slide to 30 to 70 ft, then a winter hold in 20 to 80 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 87 ft that grades prime for winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (87 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (46 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (46 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (87 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Sugsaw Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 87 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 Sugsaw Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Sugsaw Lake is about 102 ft (31 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 cutthroat trout, kokanee on Sugsaw Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 87 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in winter. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For cutthroat 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 Sugsaw 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.
Pachena Lake 3 mi · Frederick Lake 3 mi · Rosseau Lake 4 mi · Black Lake 5 mi · Kichha Lake 5 mi · Sarita Lake 10 mi · Tsusiat Lake 13 mi · Tsuquadra Lake 14 mi · Hobiton Lake 15 mi · Squalicum Lake 15 mi · Hitchie Lake 15 mi · Henderson Lake 16 mi
See how Sugsaw Lake stacks up: best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District fishing maps (52 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.