skeena fishing guide 2012

Get yourLake Maps— 23 lakes —

INSI

DE Featuring

3 Riverswith maps

July

CHINOOK

Skeena Fishing 2012

Angler’s Atlas Angler’s Atlas The

www.AnglersAtlas.com

10th Ed.

Cover shot from David Goretzky. An early bird winner of the 2012 photo contest.

40 pOuNdsCaugHt aNd

Released

Skeena Fishing 2012 Free maps at www.AnglersAtlas.com

Caution: Do not use this map for navigational purposes. This map may not reflect current conditions. Uncharted hazards may exist. Base Map ©Province of British Columbia.

Skeena Key Map

The Skeena Region covers a vast area of BC, taking

up the north-west quarter of the province.This region has world class rivers and thousands of lakes for anglers to explore. The area around Prince Rupert is domi-nated by rugged mountains and wild rivers while inland

there are lakes of all sizes.Most of the lakes in the Skee-na region, unlike in many other areas, sustain naturally producing wild populations of rainbow trout. Many lakes are stocked with different species. Three types of trout released in this region are rainbows, cutthroat and Eastern brook

trout.T h i s g u i d e contains

25 lakes and three

rivers from this region.

Most of them are

c e n -

tred along the highway corri-dors, with a few off the beaten track.Some of the best fly fishing is available in the Skeena region, from fabulous high elevation mountain lakes such as Mc-Donnell, to lakes right around the corner from populous ar-eas such as Cicuta.Anglers of all persuasions will find a lot to keep them chal-lenged in the Skeena region, and as well, beginners will find plenty of opportunity to learn in world-class lakes and rivers.From fly fishing in remote wa-ters to trolling with the fam-ily on a weekend getaway, the Skeena region offers much to explore.

This guide is meant as an appetizer to some of the great fishing lakes in

this region. Around each lake featured in this guide

are often dozens of other lakes that are just as pro-ductive. Maps for other lakes in this region are freely available at:

AnglersAtlas.com

SKEENA FISHING 2012

PublisherSean SimmonsProduction Co-ordinatorKathy BuhlerContributors: Joe DeGrisi, David Gruen, Roger Kincl, Cory Koenig, Dan Moffat, Randy Murray.Advertising sales, printing and distribution managed by Glacier Media Inc. Skeena Fishing 2012 is part of The Angler’s Atlas and is owned by Goldstream Publish-ing Inc.

1274 Fifth Ave.Prince George, BCV2L 3L2(250) [email protected]

www.AnglersAtlas.com



Quick FactsSurface Area• 46,499 Hectares

(114,897 Acres)

Maximum Depth• 186 metres

(610 feet)

Elevation (ASL)• 712 metres

(2,336 feet)

Survey Date• 1964

Contour Units• Metres

Babine Lake is home to a special strain of rainbow

trout that grow much larger than common rainbow trout species. This strain of trout is part of a rare ecotype called the Sutherland population.These rainbow trout feed on forage fish, likely kokanee, and grow quite large. This group of fish are technically referred to as “pelagic piscivorous rain-bow trout ecotype” —which basically describes where the fish live (pelagic means open water) and what they feed on (piscivorous means they feed on fish). There is limited information regarding the size of Babine Lake’s Sutherland population, and because it is a rare eco-type, anglers are encouraged to practise catch-and-release when going after these big rainbow trout, to encourage the long term sustainability of this species. Barbless hooks are also encouraged to improve survivability.Fisheries biolo-gist in Smithers, Joe DeGrisi, says that the ministry

has b e g u n a research program on Babine Lake to determine if the stock is sustain-able at present levels. They will be looking at the habitat and conducting sur-veys on tributaries as well. Babine Lake is known for pro-ducing trophy char, rainbow trout and salmon.

Some productive lures for this lake are Rapalas, Apex, Williams Wablers and Flatfish for the char. For trout, use small spinners and spoons, flatfish and Hotshots.Early in the season the char will inhabit shallow waters, but as the water warms up the

fish migrate to deeper, cooler sections of

the lake.

(Continued on next page)

BaBine Lake

© The Angler’s

Atlas



BaBine Lake

The rainbow trout fish-ery offers great options for every type of angler. Fly fish-ers can float the section of water between Babine Lake and Nilkitkwa Lake, known as Rainbow Alley. Fishing in Rainbow Alley can be some of the best in the

province. Fly pat-terns that can

w o r k well are s t o n e -f l i e s a n d

Fry Egg +1, chinook and coho fry, Epoxy Minnows and Stimulators.There are three major hatch-es to watch for—caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies. When imitating these flies, it’s important to know your insect’s patterns. For example, when emerging, damselflies will swim straight up and then to the edge, while dragonflies will swim to the edge before heading up.A portion of Babine Lake has been closed to angling. Please consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for more information.It’s also important to review

the Federal regulations for salmon fishing. Babine

Lake is closed to chi-nook fishing all

year, and other species of

s a l m o n

have specific opening dates.LAKE ACCESS

There are four primary access points to Babine

Lake—north of Burns Lake to Pendelton Bay Provincial Park; near Granisle at rec-reation sites and provincial parks; at Smithers Landing and at Fort Babine. Granisle is located north of Topley (on Highway 16), following the Granisle Highway.Access to Smithers Landing/Fort Babine from Highway 16 is from Eckman Road, about 5 km east of Smithers on the right (east). Turn here and fol-low for 53 km. (Note: The road eventually turns into Babine Lake Road). Turn left (north) onto the Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road, and fol-low for 44 km, to the turnoff to Fort Babine on the right (east).


(114,897 Acres)


(610 feet)


(2,336 feet)

Survey Date• 1964


© The Angler’s Atlas



CiCuta Lake

Quick FactsSurface Area• 174 Hectares

(430 Acres)


(39 feet)


(2,956 feet)

Survey Date• August 1977


Ci c u t a Lake is a medium size lake

located south-west of Vanderhoof. It is known for its high rock bluffs and great fly fishing, with extensive shoals and drop offs to explore.

There are loads of small rainbows in Cicuta Lake. Trolling and strike indicator (bobber) fishing work well. Troll with a sinking line. If you are fishing with a strike indi-cator, use a long leader so the fly gets close to the bottom. Go deep for bigger fish.

Dan Moffat from Northern Hardware in Prince George, says that Cicuta Lake is a great choice for fall fly fishing. He suggests that good patterns to try are Muddler Minnows or Doc

Spratleys.

Moffat notes that anglers might

do well to immitate minnows. The trout

will go after "anything that looks like a minnow,"

he says.

At the moment there is no active stocking program but between 1986 and 1995 the lake was peri-odically stocked with yearling rainbow trout. The released trout included Tunkwa, Badger, and Genier strains.

For all your fishing needs stop by Northern Hardware in Prince George and talk with Dan and the knowledgeable staff.

LAKE ACCESS

From Prince George fol-low Highway 16 west to

Vanderhoof. Turn left (south) onto the Kenny Dam Road—watch for overhead signage in town. Travel along this road for approximately

90 k m to the Kenny Dam then turn right (west), cross the dam to Holy Cross Forest Service Road (FSR) and turn right again (north). There is a small, secondary road on the left side (west)—turn here and follow for another five km to Cicuta Lake.

Another popular route is via Holy Cross FSR which meets Highway 16 at Fraser Lake, and is about 65 km from the highway. If you go too far and meet the dam just backtrack using the directions above.

There is a forestry recreation site on the lake with seven vehicle units and a cartop boat launch. It is accessible with two wheel drive.




Doris Lake


(279 Acres)

Maximum Depth• 13.4 metres

(44 feet)


(2,887 feet)


Contour Units• Feet

Doris Lake is a small lake northwest of Burns Lake.

There is good fishing for rain-bow trout, cutthroat and burbot.

Early in the season, rainbows can be targetted with leeches and bloodworms. As the insects begin to hatch, fly fishers have a wealth of opportunity. Early s e a s o n

insects such as chironomids and mayflies will be followed by dragonflies and sedges.

However, there are standard patterns that can produce year-round. Doc Spratleys,

Halfbacks, Woolly Buggers and leeches are some-

times termed the “meat and potato” patterns for their con-sistently good results.

There are other lakes in the vicinity that

are worth exploring as well, a c c o r d -ing to Tourism

Smithers. Pine Tree Lake, which reaches about seven metres deep at most, is a small lake with weedy shorelines, which makes for good insect habitat. Tanglechain Lake, another shallow waterbody, and the larger Chapman Lake, also provide good fishing.

Please note that Doris Lake continues to be closed to fish-ing for lake trout. In smaller lakes such as Doris, lake trout catches are harder to sustain, as lake trout have a low reproduc-tive capacity.

LAKE ACCESS

Doris Lake is located along Babine Lake Road, near the

53 kilometre marking, imme-diately before the Nilkitkwa FSR fork.

From Burns Lake, follow Highway 16 west to Eckman Road, located between Telkwa and Smithers. Turn right (north-east) onto this road, which turns into Babine Lake Road.

There is a small recreation site on the lake, and it is eas-ily accessible. The site has five vehicle units, suited for smaller vehicles, and includes a boat launch.





Dragon Lake


(1,312 Acres)


(31 feet)


(607 feet)



Dragon Lake is a medium size lake located in the Nass

Valley north of Terrace. Rainbow trout are a popular sport fish in this lake and are prized by fly fishers.

Rainbow trout in this lake can get very large, and the fishing is nor-mally good year round.

Fly fishers can try wet or dry flies when going after the rain-bows. For wet flies try Muddler Minnows, chironomids, dragonfly patterns and leeches, all using a sinking line. For dry flies try a mayfly or mosquito pattern along the edge of weedbeds.

Lure fishers can try small spin-ners, such as Blue Foxes, Panther Martins and Mepps —but keep the hooks small.

No special restrictions apply to this lake but make sure to con-sult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis for the regional and provincial guide-lines.

Please remember that Dragon Lake is in bear country—both grizzly and black. Everyone should use cau-tion when fishing this and other remote lakes and bring along bear bangers and spray.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, follow Highway 16 west to Kalum Lake

Drive, also known as the Nisga’a Highway. Follow this road north, 110 km, past New Aiyansh and the Nass Camp, to Dragon Lake. The lake is located about six kilo-metres past the camp, on the Nass Forest Service Road.

Dragon Lake has a medium size rec-reation site in a semi-open area with eleven vehi-

cle units. There is a boat launch and dock at the site, and it is RV accessible.

Note: Dragon Lake can also be reached from Hwy 37N by turn-ing west onto the Nass FSR at Cranberry Junction. Continue west on the Nass FSR for about 42 km.




DunaLter Lake


(57 Acres)


(59 feet)


(2,575 feet)



Dunalter Lake is a small lake located about 15 kilo-

metres north of Houston. The lake is commonly referred to as Irrigation Lake and has good fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout.

Dunalter Lake is a good place for family fishing, conveniently located in a popular public park. There is a dock in the day use area, where anglers can easily cast a line. In other spots the lake can be weedy, so boating with small boats or pontoons is popu-lar.

In early spring, flies to try are chironomids, used while still-water fishing with a strike indi-cator (bobber).

As the lake warms up, hatch activity will increase with may-fly, caddis and midge hatches. The midges usually hatch through to June. In June the mayflies and caddis start to emerge.

Later in the summer, fishing dragonfly and leech patterns in the deeper water should work well.

Some popular lures used on the lake are Gang Trolls, Triple Teazers, Triplefish, and little Apex Trout Killers.

There is a m o t o r restric-tion in place on D u n a l t e r L a k e . See the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for more informa-tion.

For some great fly patterns, check out Cory Koenig’s expert tying at www.webflyz.com.

LAKE ACCESS

From Burns Lake follow Highway 16 west, about 15

k i l o m e -tres past

Houston, to a sign read-

ing “Irrigation Lake”. Turn

left (west) onto a small road and follow

for about half a kilometre to the lake.

There is a day-use camp ground and picnicking area near the lake, and also a dock. The lake is easily accessed by belly boats, pontoon boats and canoes.




HeLen Lake


(44 Acres)


(13 feet)


(3,051 feet)



If you’re looking for a family fishing lake, Helen Lake is a good choice. It is a fairly small lake, and is home to cutthroat trout.

This pretty little lake is per-fect for a day trip. Helen Lake is also a good lake for fishing with kids. It’s small enough that it can be covered eas-ily, and the fishing can be good. Belly boats and canoes are ideal on this lake, which makes for a peaceful trip out.

As it is relatively shallow it warms up and cools off sooner than the deep lakes. If anglers are not having success fishing near the weed beds, try troll-ing down the middle of the

lake, in the deep-est sections.

Most of the standard fly pat-terns for the area should work well. Try leeches, damselflies or dragonflies. Flatfish that imitate leeches may also work well.

For gear fishers, try using a small Willow Leaf, Wedding Band and worm. Small spin-ners generally work well.

LAKE ACCESS

From Burns Lake, follow Highway 16 west, about 20

km past Houston, to Summit Lake Road on the right (east). Turn here and drive for six kilometres to a rough road on

the left (north), past the farm. Turn here and continue anoth-er five kilometres to the lake.There is a forest recreation site at the lake. The site has three vehicle units and there is a rough boat launch.




kitsumkaLum Lake


(4,865 Acres)


(459 feet)


(489 feet)

Survey Date• July 1972


Kitsum-k a l u m

Lake is a large, deep lake about 25 kilometers north of Terrace. Also referred to as Kalum or Kitsumgallum Lake, it has good fishing for cutthroat trout and dolly varden.

The Kitsumkalum River, at the north end of the lake, is known for its excellent salmon fishery. Special regulations apply for salmon, and anglers should con-sult the BC Freshwater Salmon Supplement published by Fisheries and Oceans, as well as the provincial regulations, before going after salmon. This applies to both the lake and the river.

Anglers going after cutthroat in Kitsumkalum Lake will be in for a real treat. Fishing for cutthroat is a great experience. At times, cutthroat are entirely indiscrimi-nate about their food choices, and will go after anything available.

At other times, these beautiful trout can be almost finicky. Try

leech or stick-leback patterns throughout the season, or a flatfish or Panther Martin, both in black and silver colour combina-tions.

Dolly Varden are also present in Kitsumkalum Lake. Try fish egg patterns, small fish patterns, and flashy spoons and spinners.

There is no stocking program for Kitsumkalum Lake, and there is only one historical stocking record. In 1940, 25,000 rainbow trout (eyed eggs) from Pinantan Lake were released into this lake.

LAKE ACCESS

West Kalum Road leads to a forestry recreation site

located on the south shore of

Kitsumkalum Lake, called The Hart Farm. This is a medium size site in a semi-open area. From Terrace, head west on Highway 16, across the Kitsumkalum River, and then turn right (north) onto West Kalum Road. Follow this road for 27 km to the Redsand Demonstration Forest, and into the Hart Farm recreation site.

Kalum Lake Drive also leads to

Kitsumkalum Lake, and runs along the lake’s eastern shore. There are a few rugged boat launches on this side of the lake, but current status of these launch-es is unknown. For current infor-mation on these boat launches, head down to one of the local tackle shops to find out more.




kLeanza Lake


(62 Acres)


(59 feet)


(2,415 feet)

Survey Date• October 1974


Kleanza Lake is a small lake east of Terrace located along

Kleanza Road. There are several species of sport fish present in the lake, but it is best known for the plentiful rainbow trout. The trout are generally in the one pound range, and fairly easy to catch making it a great place to bring kids to fish.

Kids learning to fly fish should use a lighter fly rod, such as a four-weight. With a sinking line (wet flies) try a small minnow pattern with a silver body, and a touch of red. Or try chironomid patterns for still fishing.

For dry flies try using a mosquito and mayfly pattern. This lake is very productive and the fish often go after most fly patterns. Dragonflies and leeches are other good starting patterns.

If you just want to get out and fish, the classic technique of a worm and bob-ber works w e l l

in this lake.

Kleanza Lake is fairly shallow, and is a great lake for belly boats. The southwest end of the lake is a good place to start if you want to try a deeper section out of the weeds.

No special restrictions apply to this lake, but make sure to con-sult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for the regional and provincial guidelines.

Always remember that Kleanza Lake is in bear country—both griz-zly and black. Everyone should use caution when fish-ing Skeena lakes, and bring along bear bangers and bear spray.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, follow Highway 16 east about 20 km to

Kleanza Road on the right (east). Turn here and follow for another 25 km. Kleanza Lake is located on the right (south) side, and can be seen from the road.

There is a short trail at the east end of the lake which can be found by turning right onto a secondary forest road shortly after passing the lake. Alternatively, y o u can pull over when you

see the lake from Kleanza

Road, and a little bush whacking will also bring

you to the lake. Fishing can be done from shore, or portage in a small boat.

There are no facilities on the lake, but Kleanza Creek Provincial Park is located a short distance from the lake, at the junction of Highway 16 and Kleanza Road. The park has 32 vehicle accessi-ble campsites, in a treed area, and offers other recreational oppor-tunities.




LakeLse Lake

Quick FactsSurface Area• 31.7 Hectares

(3,608 Acres)


(104 feet)


(253 feet)

Survey Date• 1976


The opportunities seem endless on Lakelse Lake. The cutthroat

and rainbow trout fisheries are one part of a great lake experience. An adventure playground awaits for the kids, explore the hiking trails amidst the old-growth forests, or relax on the sandy beaches after a day of excellent fishing.

Lakelse Lake is considered one of the region’s Family Fishing Waters, as described in the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations. The lakes chosen for this desig-nation are family-

f r i end ly, ideal places for children to learn to fish.

One of the species in Lakelse Lake is cutthroat trout. When fishing cutthroat, remember that they are opportunistic feeders. They often prefer small fish, crustaceans and insects, but will go after anything available. Try fishing a minnow pattern with a slow retrieve. Gear fishers can try small silver spoons.

As well, try exploring weed beds in the lake. A black Woolly Bugger or black and silver flatfish, could prove effective in deeper sections.

While cutthroat can often be found in streams and rivers, please note that special regulations apply to the Lakelse River. This world class river is catch and release for cutthroat trout.

As well, Lakelse River provides excellent s t e e l h e a d f i s h i n g

oppor-t u n i t i e s .

H o w e v e r , extensive regu-

lations apply, such as a bait ban, motor

and time restrictions and a man-datory steelhead stamp. Please see the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for more information.

There is a well developed provin-cial park on the north and eastern shore of Lakelse Lake. The park consists of three separate sec-tions—Gruchy’s Beach, Lakelse Lake Picnic Area, and Furlong Bay Campground. The park is sur-

round-ed by the

m o u n t a i n s of the Kitimat

Range, and stands of old growth for-

ests.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, head south along Highway 37. Gruchy’s Bay

and the picnic area is located about 15 km along highway. To get to the campground and boat launch, continue along the highway for another five km to Furlong Bay Campground.

The campground has excellent facilities, with a double-paved boat launch, loading dock and plenty of parking space. Also, the launch is located close to the day-use area of the campground.




Lava Lake

Lava Lake is about 45 min-utes north of Terrace and

lies within Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park. The lake has good cutthroat trout fishing and dolly varden can also be caught there.

Try fishing along areas with large weed beds—preferably sub-surface weeds. During the hatches fly fishers can try a mosquito or mayfly pattern in these areas.

L u r e f i s h -

ers can try a small

Mepps or Rooster Tail, and

trailing the lure with a worm really helps.

Lava Lake’s many bays and shoals are great fish habitat. This is also a real all-season lake, as the depths vary quite a bit. The shallower south end is ideal for spring and fall fishing. As the season heats up, explore further north. In particular, there is a steep drop off at the far north end, and this is a good

place to start.

Fish inventories of the lake reveal a wide range of spe-cies are present. This includes cutthroat trout, dolly varden, kokanee, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, peamouth chub, prickly sculpin, steel-head, sucker (general). This

inventory should not be considered complete, as other species may exist but have not been captured during surveys.

ABOUT THE AREA

The area around Lava Lake is highly valued for rela-

tively young lava flows that ran hot about 250 years ago. A few kilometres north of the lake, a guided hike is available which follows the lava flows to the top of the crater at Melita Lakes.

The provincial park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities and in the winter snowmobiling is popular along Sterling Mountain Trails.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, head west

along Highway 16 to Nisga’a Highway. Lava Lake is another 100 km along the highway.

The highway runs along the eastern shore of Lava Lake, and there are several pull outs where a small cartop can be launched.

There is also a small gravel boat launch at the north end of Lava Lake. There should be plenty of space for parking as well.


(1,391 Acres)


(184 feet)


(728 feet)






maxan Lake


(1,576 Acres)


(82 feet)


(2,510 feet)

Survey Date• September 1973


Maxan Lake is a popular fishing

lake, situated between Houston and Burns Lake. It offers excellent fishing for rainbow trout and burbot. Avoid the lake trout, as fish-ing regulations have closed this species to fishing in Maxan Lake.

Try fishing for rainbow trout in the shallow areas of the lake, and using smaller tackle. Popular areas are in the bays and along the shoals. The best time to fish for rainbow trout is in the spring.

For flyfishers, a standard leech pattern should work well, and lure fishers can try the reliable Willow Leaf with a worm if you are trolling.

If you are targeting burbot, try jigging just off the bottom

with a small Buzzbomb. If you are spending the night, you may want to use a set line, as described in the Freshwater Fishing Regulations. You are only allowed one line with a single hook, and the hook must be at least 3 cm from the point to the shank. The line must be marked with your name, address and telephone num-ber.

LAKE ACCESS

From Smithers follow Highway 16 east about

40 km past Houston, to Forestdale Road on your right (south). Follow this road for about five kilometres, which then turns into the Maxan Creek Road. Continue another 11 km along this road, which will take you directly to the

shores of Maxan Lake.

There is a forest rec-reation site on

the north-west s h o r e

of this l a k e , in a sheltered bay. The site is accessible with two-wheel drive, and has twelve vehi-cle units. The site has a boat launch and small beach.




mCDoneLL Lake


(531 Acres)


(48 feet)


(2,700 feet)



McDonnell Lake is a medium size lake locat-

ed about 35 kilometres west of Smithers. It is the last in a chain of three popu-

lar fish-ing lakes located along the McDonnell Forest Service Road, preceded by Aldrich and Dennis Lakes.

The lake is known for its cut-throat trout, but also contains dolly varden. Although the fish are not often large, they are plentiful.

Fishing leech patterns and damselflies is recommended when targeting cutthroat. For lures, try small wedding bands or a blue fox in a size zero or one.

The lake is near the headwa-ters of the Zymoetz (Copper) River, and near the top of the mountain. It can get fairly windy up there, and anglers should be prepared for strong winds.

T h e Copper River is known for

its amazing steelhead fishery. Fishing this river, as with most rivers in the Skeena region, is a fishing adventure of a lifetime. Wild steelhead are a thrill to catch, their fight and vigor unmatched.

The Copper River is Classified Water, and a steelhead stamp is mandatory. Please consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for more informa-tion. As well, to make the most of your trip, it may be worth-while to hire a guide. New regulations in place beginning in April, 2011, will affect the Copper River. Please review regulations before heading out.

These are remote lakes, popu-lar for backcountry adventures. Please be prepared for wildlife encounters and emergency sit-

uations.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, head east to

Smithers. Follow Hudson Bay Mountain Road from town, which turns into McDonnell Forest Service Road. McDonnell Lake is located about 35 km along this road, on the left (south) side of the road.

Although there are no facilities on the lake, there used to be a forest recreation site at the east end of the lake, and you should be able to launch a small car-top boat at this location. There is another forest recreation site located at Dennis Lake, a few kilometres before reaching McDonnell Lake, which has five vehicle units.

© The Angler’s

Atlas



meziaDin Lake


(7,685 Acres)


(439 feet)


(806 feet)



Mezia-din Lake is a large lake east of Stewart along Highway 37. This deep lake is well known for dolly varden fishing, but is also home to rainbow and cut-throat trout, as well as several other species.

Some of the best fishing is off the gravel bars at the mouths of creeks. During the summer, dol-lies will generally inhabit deeper water, and anglers should troll deep.

Apex lures, Kamloops spoons and Ruby Eyed Wigglers should perform well, along with FSPs in about a size 5. Anglers should try to use lures that imitate young salmon or trout fry when going after char and dolly varden. Drop-off locations are good places to fish.

When fly fishing, minnow and fry patterns will work well. For dry flies, try stoneflies, chironomids and leeches. An Elk Hair Caddis performs, as will general attractor

pat-terns.

In the spring and fall, try fishing near the mouths of feeder creeks. The dol-lies tend to feed on small salmon fry emerging from the streams, and in the fall, they will feed on pieces of salmon carcass.

Note that the outlet to the lake has some rapids that are non-naviga-ble by boat. Please remember to check the BC Fishing Regulations for restrictions that may apply to the lake.

Meziadin Lake is bear coun-try—both grizzly and black bear. Please use caution when fishing remote lakes, and bring along bear bangers and bear spray for protection.

LAKE ACCESS

From Smithers follow Highway 16 west to the junction of

Highway 37 at Kitwanga. Follow this highway north about 155 km just south of the junction with Highway 37A to Stewart.

Meziadin Lake Provincial Park is a small park on the eastern shore of Meziadin Lake. There are 60 campsites in an open area, and a gravel boat launch with limited

parking. Vehicles need to be left at

the campsite,

b u t there is a small dock available for temporary boat tie-ups.

The park also has pit toilets, pic-nic areas and there is a hand water pump available. This campground has recently been upgraded. Sites are RV accessible. Reservations are not accepted, and campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis.

© The Angler’s

Atlas



naDina Lake


(2,340 Acres)


(114 feet)

Elevation (ASL)• ~1,000 metres

(~3,300 feet)



Na d i n a Lake is located south of Houston and is known for the big rainbow trout it produces. Some anglers have reported rainbows up to fifteen pounds.

Trolling is the best way to catch the big trout, and you may need to go down deep. Try using a fishfinder to locate the depth of the fish. Also, these fish will generally go after fast-er bait, so if you are not getting any bites try speeding up a bit.

The Willow Leaf and worm are tra-ditional favourites that work well. Another effective lure is the Apex Troutkiller, in either black or blue— both with silver specks.

The Nadina River flows into the lake at the north-west end of the lake, and begins again at the north-east end of the lake. The river is also popular for fishing rainbow trout. The access road to Nadina Lake winds along the Nadina River for miles, and provides many opportunities to pull over and

c a s t a line into the river.

A point of interest along the river is the Nadina Spawning Channel, just downstream of the lake.

LAKE ACCESS

From Smithers head east along Highway 16 to Houston and

then south along the Morice River Forest Service Road (FSR). Stay left (east) at the 27 km fork, keeping on the Morice-Owen FSR. There are two roads that lead to Nadina Lake. The first road—Morice-Tahtsa Rd.— is located at the 48 km mark, on the right (west) side of the road. This road forks about 15 km along. The left fork takes anglers to the Nadina Lake recreation site, and the left (west) fork continues along the Nadina River, past the spawning channel and Nadina Lake Lodge.

The second access point is further

along the Morice-Owen FSR.

At the 56 km mark, turn left (west) onto the Morice-Nadine FSR, and follow to the 74 km mark. Turn right (west). Shortly after crossing the river this sideroad meets up with the Morice-Tahtsa FSR, a few kilometres before meeting the fork to the recre-ation site or lodge.

The recreation site has space for six vehicle units in an open, grassy area. There is a scenic view of the Sibola Mountains and the site has a boat launch and pebble beach.

Nadina Lake Lodge offers cab-ins, campground facilities and boat rentals. The contact information for Nadina Lake Lodge is Wendy & Brad Thompson PO Box 99, Granisle, BC V0J 1W0 Phone (250) 697-2355. Or send an email to [email protected]




niLkitkwa Lake


(1,203 Acres)


(69 feet)


(2,336 feet)

Survey Date• 1964


Nilkitkwa Lake is a narrow lake famous for its great stone-fly hatch and trophy trout.The stonefly hatch starts with the warmer weather and nor-mally lasts until the end of July—sometimes into August. Try to cast a dry fly pattern downstream, and let it drift with the boat. Keep the line loose in order to make the fly look real. When fishing along the weed beds, try a Parachute Adams or Royal Wullf dry fly. A Sofa Pillow will also work well.Compared to its upstream neighbour, Babine Lake, Nilkitkwa Lake is quite shal-low and has large weed beds. The Babine River flows through the lake, creating a slow moving current well suit-ed for drift fishing.The salmon runs on Babine River provide an excellent food source for rainbow trout, from salmon carcasses as well

as t h e salmon fry that emerge from stream beds.Upstream of this lake is a short section of river known as “Rainbow Alley,” which boasts some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the province. The trout can grow larger than ten pounds.Nilkitkwa Lake is fly-fishing only, and there is a bait ban in effect (see regulations for exceptions).For more information about some great hand-tied flies for Nilkitkwa Lake, visit www.webflyz.com.LAKE ACCESS

Follow Highway 16 east to Eckman Road on the left

(west), just past Smithers. Turn

here a n d follow for 53 k m . (Note: The road eventu-ally turns into Babine Lake Road.) Turn left (north) onto the Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road, and follow for 44 km, to the turnoff to Fort Babine on the right (east).There is a small provincial park on Nilkitkwa Lake, consisting of two sections of lakefront. Both lie within a protected bay and have nice beaches. Access to the park is by boat. Visit BC Parks website for further information:

www.bcparks.ca© The Angler’s Atlas



onion Lake


(37 Acres)


(65 feet)


(610 feet)



Onion Lake is small lake south of Terrace, and is one

of the few lakes in the area that are regularly stocked with rain-bow trout.

The stocking program on Onion Lake releases 1,000 rainbow trout yearlings each spring. The program releases trout every two years, and includes Tunkwa, Premier and Badger strains of trout. The earliest known stock-ing of Onion Lake was in 1960, when 1000 rainbow trout fry were released.

Onion Lake is also known for the

cross country ski trails that wind through the area. In the sum-mer, the trails are used by hikers and bikers, and the trails lead past two other lakes—Lower and Upper Clearwater Lakes—also known for fishing.

Onion Lake is close to Lakelse Lake, which is another fabulous fishing lake.

Fisheries records show the populations of cut-throat trout, dolly var-den, and kokanee inhabit these lakes,

as well as some s a l m o n species.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, head south along

Highway 37, about 27 km. Onion Lake is located along the highway, on the right hand (west) side.

The trails that wind past Onion and Clearwater Lakes are con-sidered an easy hike,

and p a s s

through an old

g r o w t h r e s e r v e .

C l e a r w a t e r Lakes are a one-to-two km hike along the trails, and are ideally suited for belly boats, or light-weight pontoon boats.

To get a good overview map of the trails, the Snow Valley Nordic ski club has trailmaps on their website at www.snowval-leynordics.com and then select the Maps link. There is an aerial overview of all three lakes and a trail map.




owen Lake


(734 Acres)


(123 feet)


(2,450 feet)



Owen Lake is a popular recreation lake with good

fishing for rainbow trout and lake trout (char). Most of the rainbow trout are in the one to two pound range while the lake trout can reach up to twenty pounds.When fishing for rainbows a Willow Leaf and worm is a good place to start. Another popular lure is the smaller size Apex “Troutkillers” in black or blue and with silver specks.Fly fishers can try a stonefly nymph or Dragon Butler pat-tern. In the warmer weather the rainbow trout will migrate to deeper reaches of the lake and a fishfinder can help locate the best depth to target these fish.When going after lake trout try using a Williams Wobbler, Flatfish or Rapala Minnow. Make sure to get your line

down deep and if nec-essary use a

downrigger.

I f

you’re in the area, it may be worthwhile to explore near-by Parrott Lakes. These are a chain of four lakes, consid-ered family-friendly, with good fishing and camping available.

As well, nearby Tagetochlain Lake is worth exploring. Members on the Angler’s Atlas website (www.anglersatlas.com) report that Tagetochlain Lake has a boat launch, and supports a good population of char.

LAKE ACCESS

From Houston head south along the Morice River

Forest Service Road (FSR) staying left (east) at the 27 km fork, keeping on the Morice-Owen FSR. The road wraps around the east side of the lake, and there is a forestry recre-ation site on the lake shore.The recreation site is a very popular camping spot and has space for twenty vehicle units. The site also comes with a boat launch and is close to Nadina Mountain trail.




Pine Lake


(84 Acres)


(47 feet)


(679 feet)

Survey Date• October 1974


Pine Lake is a small water-body north of Terrace and being close to town it is great for daytrips with a flyrod.

Try exploring some of the many features around the island on the east side of the lake. The deeper water in these sections can make for more productive fishing in the heat.

Cutthroat trout are the main target and fishing can be good on a wet or dry fly. Randy Murray, owner of Northcoast Anglers in Terrace, says that being a small lake, most people fish from shore or a small boat.

Expect the unexpected when it comes to insect hatches on Pine Lake. “There aren’t hatches all season, but when one hap-pens, it happens quickly,” says Murray.

Dragonflies and leeches are good choices. Chironomids and may-flies are good to have on hand as well. Cast a mayfly toward the emerging trout and just let it float for a while.

Lure fishing on this lake can also be rewarding. Small is best, says Murray. Rooster tails and Panther Martins are good choices, and some folks have good success with a standard Wedding Band and worm. Murray says the key is to keep it small and flashy.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace head west on Highway 16, across the

Kitsumkalum River, and then turn right (north) onto West

K a l u m R o a d .

Follow this road for 12

km to the Pine Lakes recreation

site.

This small site is located in a forested section, and is part of the Pine Lakes Trail. It is accessible by two-wheel drive and there are five vehicle units for camping. The site also has a cartop boat launch.

Pine Lake Trail wraps around the lake, and offers excellent views of the mountains and lake. This 6 km trail is an easy hike, and suitable for family use. The trail is also popular among mountain bikers.

NOTE: We’ve received a report that a gate along the West Kalum Road gets locked after 6 pm on occassion.




reDsanD anD treston Lake

Quick FactsSurface Area• 39 & 90 Hectares

(96 & 223 Acres)

Maximum Depth• 14.6 & 34.1 metres

(48 & 112 feet)


(400 feet)



Just south of Kitsumkalum Lake are Redsand and Treston

Lakes, located in the Redsand Demonstration Forest. The lakes are part of the Kitsumkalum River a n d offer good

fishing for cutthroat trout and dolly varden, both with lures and fly patterns. Along with the fabu-lous fishing, enjoy the walking and biking trails, and the spectacular mountain views.

Fly fishers can try emerging minnow and chironomid pat-terns on the bottom or a small midge pattern for the surface. Fish the emerging minnow pattern near the lake bot-tom to imitate a small fry emerging.

Lure fishers can try trolling a Wedding Band with worm. A

maggot also works well.If you’re going after cutthroat, black and silver colour combina-tions can work well. This applies to both fly patterns and lures.

The west end of Treston Lake and north-

west corner of Redsand Lake

are suitable for belly boats and pontoon

b o a t s . But

it is recommended that you use a larger boat on the eastern portion of the lakes as the current from the Kitsumkalum River is quite strong.Redsand and Treston Lakes are open for coho fishing from September 1 to October 31. Please be sure to consult both the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations as well as the federal Fisheries and Oceans regulations. The chinook fishery is closed on these lakes.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace follow Highway 16 across the Kitsumkalum

River and turn right (north) at the Kalum Forest Service Road. Continue down this road about 26 km to the Redsand Demonstration Forest.Although there are three camping locations within the demonstra-tion forest only one is located on Redsand Lake. This large site has 20 vehicle units for camping. The site is accessible with 2WD and is connected to a wheelchair acces-sible interpretive trail. The Redsand Demonstration Forest is a popular destination, as it offers a wide range of recreational activi-ties. There are three campgrounds, three trails, and a variety of eco-types within the demonstration forest, and also has a self-guided interpretive loop.




rounD Lake


(450 Acres)


(67 feet)


(1,890 feet)



Round Lake is located on the east side of Highway

16 between Houston and Smithers. Also considered a Family Fishing Water accord-ing to the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations, the lake boasts excellent cutthroat trout fishing.Cory Koenig of Webflyz BC says that Round Lake provides awesome fishing for cutthroat and raibow trout up to 20+ inches long.Koenig says there are a few essentials for Round Lake. Make sure your fly box is stocked with leeches, chrono-mids, damselfly nymphs, and water boatman flies.He notes that early season flies will consist of leeches in olive, black, and brown, with or without beadheads, along with go-to flies like the Bulldog, Egg-sucking Leeches, and small Cutthroat Candy in hook sizes #6-14.Flyfishing or trolling with small Croks, spinners and Wedding Band lures are an easy way to catch the cutthroat and rainbow trout. Other options are to troll a Triple Teazer, a Flatfish (F4 size), or a Hotshot.Fishing later in the season can

be hit and miss, as the lake often e x p e r i e n c e s large algae blooms, and can get very weedy.At these times, try increasing the size of your fly patterns. Cutthroat may take a surface fly, though they tend to prefer bottom feeding. Try wobbling plugs and spoons cast or trolled along the bot-tom. Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to target these fish.A popular driving tour uses Round Lake as its centerpiece. After turning onto Round Lake Road, you are taken on a circu-lar tour through dairy farming country. From various vantage points, you are able to get spectacular views of the four mountain ranges of the Bulkley Valley Telkwa Range, Hudson Bay Range, Hazleton Range and the Babine Mountains. Near the end of the tour, you’ll catch a quick glimpse of beau-tiful Tyhee Lake, just a few kilometers northwest of Round Lake.

For m o r e

i n f o r -m a t i o n

about great fly patterns

for Round Lake and others, visit Cory Koenig on the web at www.webflyz.com.

LAKE ACCESS

From Houston travel west along Highway 16 to

Round Lake Road on your right (east), roughly 10 km before Smithers. Follow this road for a few kilometres to the Community Hall, where you will find a boat launch. The lake is a good family fish-ing lake, with plenty of fish for the kids. © The Angler’s Atlas



seeLey Lake


(49 Acres)


(9 feet)


(971 feet)



Seeley Lake is a small, shallow lake nestled in the spectacular Hazelton Mountains. A provin-cial park borders its shoreline and provides good facilities for daytrips and overnight camp-ing.

Large cutthroat trout can be found in Seeley Lake.

Fly fishers can try using shrimp patterns. Orange would be a good colour to use for fall fish-ing.

Anglers may also have good luck with standard area pat-terns, such as damsels, drag-onflies and Doc Spratleys. Anglers would do well to look carefully at the weed beds for insects and hatches.

Since the lake is quite shallow, fishing is generally only good in spring and fall, when the water is still cool. Maximum depth of the lake is less than ten feet, and the lake warms up relatively early in the season.

There are three known fish spe-cies that inhabit Seeley Lake—cut-throat trout, rain-

bow trout and dolly varden. There is no stocking program for this lake, and historical records show that the lake has only been stocked once—way back in 1926. This single stock-ing event released 50,000 eyed-egg rainbow trout into the lake using Pinantan stocks.

Make sure to check the regula-tions before fishing this lake — only electric motors are allowed on the lake.

Seeley Lake lies in close prox-imity to the mighty Skeena River. The fishing on the Skeena River can be unparalleled. Even if you’re familiar with the area, consider hiring a guide to make the most of your trip. Also

p l e a s e remem-ber to familiarize yourself with the regulations before dropping your line.

LAKE ACCESS

From Terrace, follow Highway 16 east for

about 110 km to Seeley Lake Provincial Park. The park is located along the highway.

Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic tables are available for day-use visitors, and there is a hand-pump water well near the tables. A boat launch is avail-able. The park is open until September 15, however there is lake access year round.




takysie Lake


(1,270 Acres)


(38 feet)


(2,532 feet)



Taky-sie Lake

is south of Burns Lake, between Francois Lake and the Nechako Reservoir. It is known for its wild rainbow trout fish-ery and has several accomoda-tion options. It is also a great family fishing lake.

David Gruen from Takysie Resort says the fishing is “fab-ulous. Kids can catch lots of fish right off the dock.” A worm and bobber work well, as do Mepps and Panther Martins.

“Green seems to work well,” says Gruen. A Bear Valley Willow Leaf or Bear Valley Spinner is productive.

Gruen suggests Muddler Minnows, Montana Beadheads and leeches for fly fishers. Dry flies such as Adams and Tom Thumbs are good producers.

O t h e r tackle that work well are Triple Teazers and Needle Fish. Try attaching a split shot to the line about six feet up from the lure.

There is a special no fishing area on Takysie Lake between March 1 and May 31. Signs are posted on opposite shores of the lake marking the no fishing boundary, just north of Takysie Lake settlement. Please con-sult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before fishing this lake.

LAKE ACCESS

From Burns Lake follow Highway 35 south to the

Francois Lake ferry. Take the ferry across the lake and contin-

u e south for

another 24 kilometres to the north-west tip of Takysie Lake.

David and Rise Gruen at Takysie Resort can be reached at (250) 694-3403, or email them at [email protected] or visit their website at

http://www.takysielakeresort.caThere is also a forest recreation site on the northern shore of the lake. It is a twelve unit site, and is a popular camping and fish-ing destination. The site has a boat launch.




unCHa Lake


(1,243 Acres)


(50 feet)


(2,270 feet)



Un c h a Lake, south of Francois Lake, has good fishing for rainbow trout and big char. Some anglers have even reported char greater than 30 pounds. If you are fishing for char, make sure your lure goes deep, as they retreat to colder water in the heat of the summer months.

The most popular lures are the Flatfish, T50 and T60 in a silver or coho blue colour. Other colours are also popular, including lures in black, red and white. Less known lures for fishing char include the Flatfish M2, the Swimwhiz and Kwikfish.There is good rainbow trout fish-ing on Uncha Lake, in the one to two pound range. Roger Kyncl from Moosehorn Lodge says that the fishing has been great. “So many things work really well.” Small Apex seem to be consistent producers. Trolling works best, he adds.Fly fishers may want to try stan-

dard p a t t e r n s

such as Doc Spratleys, leeches and Woolly Worms. Either troll with these patterns, about six feet below the surface, or cast and strip.A Doc Spratley in black may work well for rainbow as well, or try a willow leaf and worm. For these trout, try areas near bays. Be sure to consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations for quota information.LAKE ACCESS

From Burns Lake follow Highway 35 south to the

Francois Lake ferry and cross the lake. Turn left immediately after leaving the ferry onto Uncha Lake Road. The lake offers two accommo-dation options for anglers—Moosehorn Lodge, located on the north shore of the lake, and a rec-

r ea t i on site on the

south shore.There is good sig-

nage guiding travelers to Moosehorn Lodge, located just off the Uncha Lake Road. The lodge offers 12 log cabin rentals, space for 20 full hookup RV’s, numerous camping pads, and boat rentals. To get to the forest recreation site, continue along Uncha Road until meeting Campbell Road. Turn right here (south), and continue about four kilometres to Binta Road. Turn left (east) and con-tinue for another 8 kilometres. The site is located on the left side (north). It is a twelve unit site, and is a popular camping and fishing destination. The site has a boat launch.To find out more about Moosehorn Lodge, call (250) 694-3730, or email them at [email protected]




kitsumkaLum river

On the doorstep of Terrace is the mouth of the

Kitsumkalum River (also known as the Kalum River) made world famous by its big salmon. The chinook fishery on this river closes in early August.

Anglers regularly catch chinook 30 to 40 pounds, with some monsters coming in at more than 80 pounds.

If chinook aren’t in season, you’re still in for spectacular angling. There is also excellent fishing for steelhead, dolly var-den, cutthroat and bull trout. The world-class coho fishery also opens from September 1 to October 31.

Anglers should consult both the federal and provincial regula-tions for all salmon openings. Please consult the updated list of closures, which is available on the website at www.pac.dfo-m p o . gc.ca.

In the l o w e r s t r e t c h of the r i v e r there is a canyon

which can be difficult to pass through. Boaters should talk to a marine dealer or tackle shop about the locations to avoid.

The Kalum River is known by two other names—Kitsumkalum and Kitsumgallum. Kitsumkalum is the river’s gazetted name and the one which appears on the

map.

Bar fishing is a popular technique for salm-

on fishing, and is something you can do right from shore. Medium to heavy rods and lines work best, as salmon are strong fighters. Use a weight about 3 to 5 feet from the lure and a small sized Spin-n-glo. The weight will allow the lure to rise just off the bottom. Cast out and then wait for a fish to come and strike the lure.

Backtrolling is effective if you have a boat and a good lure to use is the HotShot. Another common technique is simply casting a spoon from shore. Fly

fishers can try spey patterns.

Remember to check your lines regularly for wear and tear, and to always have backup equipment to keep from being

disappointed if a trip

comes to a sudden end because of broken gear.

We remind anglers that this river and all its tributaries are Classified Waters and require a special licence. Ask a lot of questions when heading out, read all of the regulations, and talk to local sports shops about restrictions. New regulations for April, 2011, should be reviewed before your trip.

RIVER ACCESS

The main access road up the Kitsumkalum River is the

Nisga’a Highway, which wraps along the eastern side of the river to the lake.




kisPiox river

The Kispiox River is world famous for its steelhead,

but there are a number of other species present that make for great angling opportunities.Good sized bull trout are numerous in the Kispiox, and reportedly they will go after just about any- t h i n g . A good fly to try is a

Marabou.A Marabou would work well for steelhead, too. People from all over the world come for the steelhead. These fish are well known for their fight, and many anglers report that the thrill of the chase alone is well worth the trip.The coho fishery is open until September 30. They can be caught with Vibrex spinners,

or blue or pink Bunnies. Good flies to try would be blue or black Moons, or Intruders.For fishing coho, jigs are becoming quite popular. The Marabou jig can be quite life-like, and coho will often strike from a distance to get it. Using a standard steelhead rod, anywhere from nine to ten-and-a-half feet, cast the float and jig along the river seam and let it float with the

current.Make sure the float

is running the same speed as the cur-

rent. Free spool the float down

the seam, with the jig hang-

ing below it. Keeping most of

y o u r line

out of the water helps reduce the drag.Please remember to con-sult the Freshwater Fishing Regulations as well as the Federal Fisheries Regulations for information before you head out. The Kispiox River is Classified Waters and special regulations apply. The coho fishery is open until September 30, and all wild steelhead are catch and release only. A num-ber of other restrictions are in place for this river. Please watch out for new regulations put in place for April, 2011.To learn more helpful tips, drop by your local tackle shop and talk to the pros.

ABOUT THE RIVER

The Kispiox River runs for 160 kilometres before

meeting the Skeena River, just north of New Hazelton. Its a diverse system with the head-waters beginning at productive Swan Lake. There are a lot of feeder

creeks with a big variety of fish and habitat.

The river is home to all six salmon species, as well as bull trout and numerous other sport and coarse fish popu-

lations. Lamprey are also found in the water-

shed.

RIVER ACCESS

From Terrace head east along Highway 16 to the

town of New Hazleton. Turn left (north) through the town, and continue to the Village of Kispiox, located at the con-fluence of this river and the Skeena.

There are several forestry roads that lead up the Kispiox River. The Kispiox Trail road winds along the north side of the River, with two recreation sites on the side of the road. See map for details.

Access to the northern por-tion of the watershed can be done through Highway 37, at Cranberry Junction.

© The Angler’s

Atlas



moriCe river

Steelhead season on the Morice River is not to be missed.

This river attracts anglers from all over the world, providing excep-tional adventure in spectacular surroundings.

Try fishing dry flies with a wak-ing technique. The objective is to create a “wake”, or a "V" pattern, behind the fly for the steelhead to cue on. The trailing wake needs to be big enough so that it can be seen by the fish.

In slow moving, clear water a smaller wake will work, but as the turbulence and turbidity increase, the size of the wake needs to be larger in order to be seen by feed-ing fish.

This works best in shady areas, or before the sun is fully up. Try fishing areas where there is a distinctive drop-off, such as around rocks. Put a bit of bend on the line and cast across on a 45 degree angle.

Keep the salmon openings in mind when you venture out. Coho are open from September 1 to October 31, and one section of the river is open to chinook only until the end of August.

A great way to make the most of your trip is to hire a guide. A professional guide is an excellent way for beginners who may be intimidated by river fishing, and

for more experienced anglers who are looking to take their trips to the next level.

If you’re out on your own, remem-ber to keep your gear in top shape, and always have backups.

Before heading out to fish this wild river, remember that spe-cial regulations apply to this fishery. There are two sets of regulations that must be consult-ed—the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations, pro- d u c e d by the Province of BC, and the F r e s h w a t e r S a l m o n Su p p l e m e n t , p r o d u c e d by the

Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

ABOUT THE RIVER

The Morice River emerges from the north end of Morice

Lake, and runs for more than 80 kilometres to the confluence of the Bulkley River, near Houston.

Five species of salmon are known to inhabit this system, includ-ing chinook, pink, chum, sock-eye, coho and steelhead. The chi-

nook salmon are the top producers in

this system, responsible for an estimat-

ed 30% of the total Skeena escapements of this species.

While the Morice River is known for its excellent salmon fishing, it is also home to trout, includ-ing rainbow, cutthroat and dolly varden.

RIVER ACCESS

From Terrace head east along Highway 16 to the

town of Houston. Turn right (south) onto the Morice River Forest Service Road (FSR), which winds along the Morice River for nearly its entire length.There are several recreation sites located along the forestry road, and offer several loca-tions to fish, or put in a pon-toon boat. See map for general location of recreation sites.


skeena fishing guide 2012

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