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Fishing Swift Lake: what the data says
1,101-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 100 ft. The chart is a model: real shoreline, published maximum depth, interpolated in between. A planning tool, never a navigation product. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
On the chart, Swift Lake draws 1,099 acres inside 6.4 miles of shoreline. Nearly circular (index 1.4), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. Roughly 27% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives.
Arctic Grayling fishing at Swift Lake
In spring, arctic grayling run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated good for spring arctic grayling. Time it for the evening and early morning. You won't need more than a dry fly (parachute adams, elk hair caddis) or a small inline spinner most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | 1/16 oz spinner (silver), Small dry fly (Adams, Griffith's) |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Dry fly (parachute Adams, elk hair caddis), Small inline spinner |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | midday | Break off the point (45 ft) | Small spoon, Beadhead nymph under indicator |
| Winter | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (85 ft) | Tungsten jig + waxworm, Small jigging spoon (gold) |
Burbot fishing at Swift Lake
Spring puts burbot in skinny water — 25 to 70 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 30 to 100 ft; cold water stacks them in 15 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 85 ft, rated prime for summer burbot. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. A heavy jig + cut bait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (45 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 30 to 100 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (85 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (85 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Break off the point (45 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Swift Lake
Early season cisco (lake herring) use the shallows, holding in 10 to 40 ft. Summer is a 40 to 80 ft game here, winter a 20 to 60 ft one. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 85 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (85 ft) | Small silver spoon, Tiny swim jig (white) |
| Summer | 40 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (85 ft) | Vertical flutter spoon (small), Drop-shot micro plastic |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dusk & dawn | open water | Small casting spoon, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | dawn | Break off the point (45 ft) | Small jigging spoon (glow/silver), Tungsten jig + minnow head |
Lake Trout fishing at Swift Lake
Spring puts lake trout in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 30 to 100 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 80 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 85 ft, rated prime for summer lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (25 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 30 to 100 ft | dawn | Deep basin (85 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (25 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (85 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Northern Pike fishing at Swift Lake
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 5 to 15 ft. Top water on the chart: Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in the 6-ft range, prime in spring. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Swift Lake
Early season lake whitefish use the shallows, holding in 15 to 45 ft. Summer is a 40 to 90 ft game here, winter a 25 to 70 ft one. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 85 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (45 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (85 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (25 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (45 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 85 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 45 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 25 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 25 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Swift Lake fishing regulations
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 Swift Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Swift Lake?
Swift Lake is about 100 ft (30 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.
What fish are in Swift Lake?
Anglers target northern pike, lake trout, lake whitefish, burbot, arctic grayling, cisco (lake herring) on Swift Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Swift Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 85 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
When is the best time to fish Swift Lake?
For arctic grayling, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
What are the fishing regulations for Swift Lake?
Fishing on Swift 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.
Nearby waters
Coconino Lake 8 mi · Teslin Lake 14 mi · Aconitum Lake 30 mi · Hyland Lake 31 mi · Trout Lake 32 mi · Klinkit Lake 35 mi · Nome Lake 35 mi · Kedahda Lake 39 mi · Plate Lake 40 mi · Jennings Lakes 42 mi · Disella Lake 48 mi · Chismaina Lake 48 mi
See how Swift Lake stacks up: best northern pike lakes in British Columbia · best lake trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia · best burbot lakes in British Columbia
Browse all British Columbia fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.