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Fishing Tom Lake: what the data says
130-acre lake in British Columbia. The lake tops out around 71 ft. Depth here is modeled from the true shoreline and max depth rather than surveyed; use it to plan, not to navigate. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Traced from the shoreline, Tom Lake runs 130 acres with 2.6 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.6) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 47% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Tom Lake
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 40 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 32-ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (18 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (32 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (18 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Kokanee fishing at Tom Lake
The spring pattern is a shallow one: kokanee in 10 to 30 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 30 to 70 ft before dropping to 18 to 71 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 60 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 18 to 71 ft | dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Lake Whitefish fishing at Tom Lake
Come spring, look for lake whitefish tight to the bank in 15 to 45 ft. Expect a summer slide to 21 to 71 ft, then a winter hold in 25 to 70 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 60 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (32 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 21 to 71 ft | dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Main-lake point (18 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (60 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Burbot fishing at Tom Lake
The spring pattern is a shallow one: burbot in 25 to 70 ft. As the season builds they drop to 21 to 71 ft, wintering in 15 to 60 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 60-ft range, prime in spring. Time it for after dark and midday. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (60 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 21 to 71 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (60 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 21 to 71 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (60 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (60 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 60 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 32 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 18 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 18 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 6 ft
Tom 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 Tom Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Common questions
How deep is Tom Lake?
Tom Lake is about 71 ft (22 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 Tom Lake?
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, lake whitefish, burbot on Tom Lake. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Where is the best fishing spot on Tom Lake?
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 60 ft of water that rates prime for kokanee in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
When is the best time to fish Tom Lake?
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.
What are the fishing regulations for Tom Lake?
Fishing on Tom 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
Fable Lake 1 mi · Byrnes Lake 2 mi · Humphrey Lake 3 mi · Silver Lake 4 mi · Academus Lake 11 mi · Calais Lake 17 mi · Takla Lake 19 mi · Albert Lake 20 mi · Dukaihoonli Lake 21 mi · Electra Lake 22 mi · Dia Lake 24 mi · Germansen Lake 30 mi
See how Tom Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee 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.