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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
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1,244-acre lake in Strathcona Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 157 ft. The depth picture is modeled, anchored to the true shoreline and the water's published max depth — a scouting aid, never a chart to run a boat by. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Traced from the shoreline, Upper Quinsam Lake runs 1,244 acres with 12.7 miles of edge — 3 islands included. An index of 2.6 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. 35% of the surface is littoral (under ~15 ft), per the model — cover, weeds and forage water. End to end it runs roughly 3.7 mi, about 1.3 mi across. You'll find it in Strathcona Regional District. The nearest mapped water is Wokas Lake, 2 mi to the northeast.
Come spring, look for cutthroat trout tight to the bank in 3 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 35 ft, then a winter hold in 10 to 40 ft. Start at Main-lake point. It's a point holding about 39 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (39 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (39 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Main-lake point (39 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
In spring, kokanee run shallow here, mostly 10 to 30 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 30 to 70 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 80 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 71 ft, rated prime for summer kokanee. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (133 ft) | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | Break off the point (71 ft) | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Break off the point (71 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Spring puts rainbow trout in skinny water — 5 to 20 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 30 ft, wintering in 8 to 40 ft. Fall rainbow trout concentrate at Main-lake point, a prime-rated point around 39 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (39 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (71 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 133 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 Upper Quinsam Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Upper Quinsam Lake is about 157 ft (48 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 cutthroat trout, kokanee, rainbow trout on Upper Quinsam Lake.
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 39 ft of water that rates prime for cutthroat trout in winter. Open the map above to see every rated 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 Upper Quinsam 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.
Wokas Lake 2 mi · Camp Lake 3 mi · Raven Lake 4 mi · Darkis Lake 4 mi · Flume Lake 5 mi · Middle Quinsam Lake 5 mi · Upper Campbell Lake 5 mi · Gooseneck Lake 6 mi · Snakehead Lake 7 mi · Beavertail Lake 8 mi · Wowo Lake 9 mi · Quinsam Lake 10 mi
See how Upper Quinsam Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best kokanee lakes in British Columbia · best cutthroat trout lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Strathcona Regional District fishing maps (85 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.