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Rating depth structure for cutthroat trout.
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. The depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. 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 60% of this chart. 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. Fall cutthroat trout concentrate at Main-lake point, a good-rated point around 1 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 | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (1 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (1 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 98 ft that grades good 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 | 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 | Break off the point (1 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (98 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 98 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 depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target cutthroat trout, kokanee on Sugsaw Lake.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 1 ft of water that rates good for cutthroat trout in fall. 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. See every water on DepthScout. Depth data: British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch, FISS lake surveys. 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.