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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
321-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 84 ft. Contours on this water are modeled from its actual shoreline and max depth. Good for finding likely water, never for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Sunset Lake maps at 321 acres behind 4.1 miles of shoreline. A middling shoreline index (1.6) gives it some bays to work without being a maze. About 25% 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. Bulkley-Nechako Regional District claims this one. Elwin Lake sits 6 mi southeast — the closest neighbouring chart.
Spring burbot on Sunset Lake hold shallow, usually 25 to 70 ft. They move out to 25 to 84 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 60 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 71 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run after dark and midday. The summer box starts with a heavy jig + cut bait.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (71 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 25 to 84 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (71 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (71 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (38 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. Summer is an 8 to 30 ft game here, winter an 8 to 40 ft one. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 38 ft of water and rates prime come winter. The feeding windows run 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 | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (21 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (21 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (21 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (38 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 25 to 84 ft before dropping to 25 to 70 ft for winter. Summer lake whitefish concentrate at Deep basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 71 ft. Fish it in early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (38 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 25 to 84 ft | dawn | Deep basin (71 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (21 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (71 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Sunset Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 71 ft.
Access data: British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails - Recreation Sites Subset. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
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 Sunset Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Sunset Lake is about 84 ft (26 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, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Sunset Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 71 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. 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 Sunset 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.
Elwin Lake 6 mi · Day Lake 8 mi · Nez Lake 10 mi · Ailport Lake 10 mi · Old Woman Lake 11 mi · Hidden Lake 12 mi · Summit Lake 12 mi · Bulkley Lake 13 mi · Helen Lake 13 mi · Mcquarrie Lake 14 mi · North Lake 15 mi · Coppermine Lake 15 mi
See how Sunset Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout 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.