Omineca’s Easily Accessible Dock-Fishing Options – Perfect for a Quick Fall Getaway!
September 16, 2024Fishing in the Omineca Region? Chances are that you think of remote wilderness where the fish are worth the drive. While such spots abound in the north, you may not know that some great fishing also exists right on the doorstep of the Omineca’s local communities. For beginning anglers and families with children, these small lakes offer the perfect introduction to fishing – without a major investment in time or gear. In some cases, you don’t even need a boat.
Small lakes with fishing docks near Prince George, Vanderhoof and McBride
Here are several small lakes with fishing docks within an hour’s easy drive of a community centre (with just a couple of four-wheel-drive and hike-in exceptions):
Camp Lake
Directions: 46 km northwest of Prince George.
Stocked species: kokanee, rainbow trout, brook trout. Report link.
Access: 4WD. 2.5 km hike-in.
Notes: Located in Eskers Provincial Park. Park Map with trail details.
Eena Lake
Directions: 33 km northwest of Prince George.
Stocked Species: Kokanee, rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
Ferguson Lake
Directions: 20 km north of Prince George
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
Hart Lake
Directions: 72 km north of Prince George.
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link
Access: 2WD
Notes: Dock is shallow, but catch rate is still good.
Nelson Lake
Directions: 32 km southwest of Prince George
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
Notes: 250 m hike-in.
Purden Lake
Directions: 63 km east of Prince George
Stocked Species: Kokanee, rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
Notes: Docks at boat launches.
Shane Lake
Directions: 10 km west of Prince George
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 1 km hike-in.
Square Lake
Directions: 41 km north of Prince George
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 1 km hike-in.
Tory Lake
Directions: 63 km southwest of Prince George
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 4WD
Cobb Lake
Directions: 72 km east of Vanderhoof
Stocked Species: Eastern brook trout, rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
LaSalle Lake (West)
Directions: 47 km west of McBride
Stocked Species: Rainbow trout. Report link.
Access: 2WD
No gear? No problem!
To fish from a fishing dock, all you’ll need is some basic fishing gear like a rod, reel, line, and lures. And, in case you don’t even have these items, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has set up a free rod-and-reel loan program at the Prince George Visitor Centre where you can sign out a rod, reel, and tacklebox of basic gear. The Prince George Visitor Centre is located at 850 Canada Games Way, Prince George (phone 250-562-3700).
How to fish from a dock
A spinning rod and reel are the easiest set-up. This combination will allow beginners to cast a lure far enough to cover a lot of water. Your choice between artificial lures or bait will depend on how you want to fish.
Bait-fishing is great when you want to use a simple fishing float set-up, and usually provides the highest likelihood of success – key for beginners. Use baits (such as worms, Berkley Power Bait, and single eggs) suspended under a fishing float, or right on the bottom.
If your bait is suspended in the water column, you need to decide at what depth to place it. When you can see fish in the water, adjust the depth of the bait to match where you see them, though 1 to 1.5 metres below the surface is usually effective. If the initial depth of your bait isn’t successful, keep working it down until it hangs just above the bottom. Use split-shot weights to help keep the bait down. Once you’ve cast out the float/bait set-up, just wait until you see the telltale bobbing of your float. Wind in any slack line until you feel the fish, and set the hook with a short, sharp, upward pull on your fishing rod. Float-fishing allows you to fish different depths while avoiding snags with the bottom.
If you want to bottom fish, consider what type of lake bottom you are fishing. When it is clean and clear of weeds, attach a bell or other weight to your main line, followed by a swivel. Add a 45- to 60-centimetre (18- to 24-inch) leader, and a light bait hook (size #8 to #10). A buoyant artificial bait like Berkley Power Bait will float above the weight, and provide a tempting presentation to the fish. When a fish bites, you will see the rod tip bounce, and any slack in your line tighten. Set the hook with a short, sharp upward pull on your fishing rod. If the lake bottom has a lot of vegetation, a longer leader with buoyant bait will allow the bait to float above the weeds. Avoid winding in your line too much while waiting for a fish to bite, as the tackle will tangle in the weeds.
Lures like spoons and spinners require movement to attract fish. Cast out, and then retrieve your lure without letting it sit still.
Finally, a wet fly (like a chironomid pattern) can be used as a lure suspended beneath a fishing float. Cast your line into an area where fish are feeding and, if there is enough of a breeze to agitate the line, allow the fly to just sit there or retrieve the line very slowly. Vary the speed of retrieval to change the depth and give movement to your fly.
Regardless of your choice, a lot has to do with how you present your lure or bait. It must look attractive to the fish. If your method isn’t working, try to mix it up with different depths, rates of retrieval, and types of lure or bait.
For more details on these methods and gear set-up, see our tips for shore and dock fishing success.
Video links for more dock-fishing hints:
What are you waiting for?
Autumn offers perfect conditions to fish from docks. As the lake temperatures cool, fish move into shallower areas where food is most plentiful to put on extra weight for the cold winter months ahead. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has stocked numerous lakes in the Omineca Region with rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee. To check out all the stocked lakes in this region visit the Where to Fish map. Over the next couple of years, the Society is working with the provincial fisheries program to identify more lakes in the Omineca to improve access and enhance fisheries. Our goal is to provide accessible, quality fishing for everyone.
Author: Sue Pollard, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC