Freshwater lake fishing from the dock at Alice Lake may not be everyone's speed but there is a chance you'll hook a trout in these stocked waters, especially in May and June. There's also a boat launch at the north end of the lake (no motors) if you'd like to improve your chances by paddling to some of the less-accessible parts of the lake.

Freshwater river fishing happens on the Cheakamus River almost year-round. Fishing is strictly catch-and-release on all the rivers and creeks in the Squamish region. Unlike the nearby Squamish River into which it flows, water in the Cheakamus is clear year-round. Anglers cast from the banks of the Cheakamus for coho salmon in October and November, for steelhead from late February to April, and for dolly varden char year-round. Best access to the banks is from the north end of Paradise Valley Road. Head west of Hwy 99 on Squamish Valley Road to reach Paradise Valley Road.

Pemberton and Lillooet Area
The clear Birkenhead River melds with the murky green waters of the Lillooet River just as the two empty into the north end of Lillooet Lake near Pemberton. Beginning in August, successive runs of sockeye salmon enter the Birkenhead from the lake, having made their way this far from the Pacific via the Fraser River and Harrison Lake. When they do, the river runs red with the stock returning to spawn. This is a stunning sight, an autumn treat that rivals the changing colours in the forest along the riverbank. Although the salmon aren't feeding, you can sometimes fish for the rainbow trout that follow in their wake.

The best place to launch is beside the more northerly of the two Birkenhead River bridges on Hwy 99, at the head of Lillooet Lake. You'll often see anglers casting from the banks of the Birkenhead beside the D'Arcy-Anderson Lake Road. Birkenhead Lake is a popular fishing spot (even in winter), particularly at the mouth of Sockeye Creek. Try gang trolling using a wedding band or flatfish. Tenquille Lake lies west of Birkenhead but at much higher elevation. Pack a fly-fishing rod and a 'Royal Coachman' for the best chance of hooking a rainbow trout.

Both Lower and Middle Joffre Lakes have been stocked with rainbow trout that are now reaching maturity. Owing to the frigid conditions in these two lakes, the size of most fish is smaller than you'll wish to keep. However, given the setting, a paddle on Lower Joffre offers as many rewards as does landing a trout.

Rainbow trout dominate the 40-odd lakes, rivers, and streams around Lillooet just as salmon and sturgeon rule the Fraser. There are even a few locations - such as Mowson and Pearson Ponds west of Lillooet on Hwy 40 near Gun Lake, and Lake Lamare on the Yalakom River Road north of Hwy 40 at Moha - where you can cast for brook trout. Anderson, Seton, Duffey, Carpenter, and Gun Lakes are all big, with strategically placed boat ramps located along Hwy 40 west of Lillooet.

As well, there's a dock at the BC Hydro recreation site on Seton Lake beside Hwy 99 just west of Lillooet where you can cast for rainbow trout, steelhead, and dolly varden up to 15 pounds (6.75 kg). Come fall, there's a chinook and coho run. Use at least a large 5-ounce spoon - Kitimats or Crocodiles work well - when casting into the lake and let your line drift by the dock. Be sure to retrieve your lure before it gets lost in the Seton River's swift current at the outlet of the lake. Nearby, Texas Creek south of Lillooet on the West Fraser Canyon Road is loaded with rainbow trout, 'old-time fishing at its best' as the locals say. Also, as you drive Hwy 99 between Duffey and Seton Lakes, try your luck for rainbows at the Forest Service recreation sites at Downton or Melvin Creeks, where they enter Cayoosh Creek. Fly-fish with a small spoon, such as the dependable 'Deadly Dick,' favoured by area anglers.