Fishing
Fishing at sunset (Picture BC photo)
Fort St. James and its thousands of surrounding lakes are a haven for freshwater fishing.
The most obvious and a great place fish is Stuart Lake, on the shores of which the town is located. Here, visitors can snag prized rainbow trout, char, lake trout, and burbot. The Stuart River, which feeds into the lake close to town, is another good and easily accessible choice.
More Lakes
The area has hundreds of lakes to test anglers' skills. An option for more low-key fishers who are willing to drive an hour or so is Grassham Lake. It's possible to catch rainbow trout here every day of the year. The lake is also full of bays, points, and islands, which make for great scenery and fishing spots.
Grassham Lake doesn't have a boat launch, and therefore requires smaller rowboats or canoes. For a lake with a boat launch, drive a few more kilometers/miles down the road until reaching Camsell Lake.
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To reach these lakes, four-by-four vehicles are not required, but the route is a bumpy active logging road. Ask at the Fort St. James Visitor Centre for directions to Grassham and Camsell Lake.
Stuart Lake Fishing Derby
Those with a competitive streak can participate in the town's annual Stuart Lake Fishing Derby, which takes place in July. Thousands of dollars are offered for first, second, and third prize. To win, anglers must catch the heaviest rainbow trout. The event also hosts a parade and fireworks.
Fishing Lodges
Several fishing lodges are in the area. Some are accessible by vehicle (an hour or more drive from town), while others are fly- or boat-in only. A list of fishing lodges is provided in the Fort St. James visitor guide (available at the Visitor Centre).
Pick up copies of the Sport Fishing Regulations Synopsis at the Visitor Centre. Note that all fishers 16-years-old and over, resident and non-resident, require a license to fish. Licenses are available on the BC government website.
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