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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
951-acre lake in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 23 ft. These contours are modeled — built from the real shoreline and the water's maximum depth — so read them as a guide, never as navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Traced from the shoreline, Tarnezell Lake runs 951 acres with 6.5 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.5) — enough points and pockets to pattern. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 74% of the surface on the model — that's where the groceries are. End to end it runs roughly 2.4 mi, about 0.9 mi across. You'll find it in Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. For a second option, Mckelvey Lake lies 6 mi west.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 6 to 23 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 23 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 10 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 6 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 23 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 23 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring lake whitefish on Tarnezell Lake hold shallow, usually 7 to 23 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 7 to 23 ft in summer, 7 to 23 ft once it turns cold. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 20 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run early morning. The summer box starts with a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 7 to 23 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 7 to 23 ft | dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 23 ft | dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 7 to 23 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (20 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 20 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 Tarnezell Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Tarnezell Lake is about 23 ft (7 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, lake whitefish on Tarnezell Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each 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 Tarnezell 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.
Mckelvey Lake 6 mi · Trembleur Lake 10 mi · Whitefish Lake 11 mi · Tseket Lake 12 mi · Tandat Lake 12 mi · Tomas Lake 13 mi · Stuart Lake 15 mi · Ogston Lake 16 mi · Shass Lake 16 mi · Camsell Lake 16 mi · Kazchek Lake 17 mi · Rubyrock Lake 17 mi
See how Tarnezell Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish 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.