October Trout Fishing in BC Lakes: Fall’s Finest Fly Fishing

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to drop, many anglers hang up their rods for the season — but those in the know realize that October might just be the best time of year to fish BC’s stillwaters. Trout are on the move, feeding aggressively in preparation for winter, and the crowds of summer have long since disappeared.

From the Cariboo to the Kootenays, from the Interior’s high plateaus to the coastal lakes, October offers a perfect blend of solitude, scenery, and some of the hottest action of the year.

Why October is Prime Time

As water temperatures cool into the ideal 10–15°C (50–59°F) range, rainbow and cutthroat trout leave their deep summer haunts and move into the shallows. They’re hunting — and they’re hungry. This shift creates an ideal opportunity for anglers to intercept them in accessible, fishable depths, often within casting distance of shore.

You’ll often see trout cruising the edges, sipping from the surface on calm mornings or chasing schools of baitfish and shrimp in the shallows. Add the stunning backdrop of golden aspens, red willows, and misty mornings, and it’s easy to understand why October stillwater fishing feels so special.

Patterns That Shine in Fall

Fall fishing means matching what trout are focused on — and in October, that’s typically:

• Leeches: A classic fall staple. Use patterns in black, olive, or maroon, and vary your retrieve — a slow, steady pull can often outfish a fast strip this time of year.

• Blobs: Irresistible. Trout love a blob. Whether they're stripped, hung under an indicator, or even trolled, blobs (as weird as they look) are a deadly fall pattern.

• Scuds and shrimp: With vegetation dying back, these become easy prey. A subtle, slow retrieve just off the bottom can produce big results.

• Water boatmen and backswimmers: These small aquatic insects become highly active in fall, swimming up and down through the water column. Fish them with slow hand-twist retrieves or short strips on an intermediate or clear sink line.

• Chironomids: Yes, even in fall! Smaller hatches continue, especially on mild afternoons. Suspending a chironomid under an indicator can be deadly in the right conditions.

• Streamers and baitfish patterns: In lakes with kokanee or other forage fish, trout often turn predatory. Cast and strip streamers like Muddler Minnows or balanced baitfish imitations near drop-offs.

Gear and Setup Tips

• Lines: Intermediate sinking lines are invaluable in October for presenting flies at 2–6 feet deep, where most feeding occurs. A floating line with an indicator setup also works well for still or suspended presentations. When the fish are sitting deeper, go with a type 3 or 5 full sinking line.

• Leaders: Go long and light when fishing clear fall water — 9–12 feet with 4X or 5X tippet is standard. Be sure to keep a spool of 3X with you when the fish are attacking a stripped fly.

• Rods: A 5- or 6-weight rod gives you the backbone to handle larger fall trout while still keeping things sporty.

If you’re fishing from a boat or float tube, cover water methodically — trout are on the move, and a change of location can make all the difference.

Reading the Water

In October, pay attention to:

• Rising fish: This almost goes without saying. Happy fish will show themselves.

• Inflow and outflow areas: These spots often attract trout seeking oxygen and food.

• Windward shores: Waves push insects and debris here — a buffet line for cruising trout.

• Drop-offs and shoals: The transition zones between shallow and deep water are prime ambush spots.

Don’t overlook calm afternoons, either. A sunny break can trigger short but intense feeding windows as water temperatures rise slightly.

Stay Warm, Stay Late

October fishing in BC can mean frost on your waders in the morning and sunshine by noon. Dress in layers, bring a thermos of coffee, and don’t rush to leave early — some of the best action often happens in the late afternoon as light fades and trout become more active.

The Final Push Before Ice

For many lakes, October represents the final window before winter ice-up. It’s your last chance to hook into a thick-shouldered rainbow or a big-bellied cutthroat before the long freeze. Whether you’re casting from a boat, a pontoon, or the shoreline, there’s a quiet beauty in fall fishing — the kind that keeps you coming back year after year.

In short: October is when BC’s stillwaters come alive again — and if you’re willing to brave the cool mornings and moody weather, the rewards are unforgettable.