City of North Vancouver

Fish Wizard

Freshwater Regulations

GVRD

Rainbow trout

Rick Hansen

Seymour Salmon Hatchery

By Rodney Hsu

There are many Lower Mainland lakes that have easy foot access and offer good trout fishing for kids during the summer time, Rice Lake is one of them. This man-made lake was once used as a reservoir to serve drinking water for residents in North Vancouver. Today, it is a wildlife refuge where recreational activities such as fishing can be enjoyed by hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts each week.

A family oriented lake

Accessing Rice Lake can be done with ease as there are numerous trails that lead to the shore line of the lake. The most popular spot is the fishing dock that is located at the southeast corner of the lake. This partially floating dock is especially designed for disabled anglers who may have trouble getting on and off a pier. The ramps and benches on the dock provide easy access and comfort so all anglers may enjoy what this lake has to offer. Washrooms, picnic tables, shelters can also be found on site, making it a very family oriented recreational facility.

Tackle

Rice Lake is regularly stocked with catchable rainbow trout that can be extremely fun on light tackle. The setup is so easy that everyone can do it. All you need is an ultralight spinning rod, a small spinning reel such as Shimano FX1000, 2 to 4lb test line, a small bobber, a couple of split shots and a No. 4 or 6 hook. For bait, the good old dew worm is always the trout's favorite, but other bait such as cocktail shrimp, marshmallow, dough, Powerbait will also do the trick.

Fishing period

To find out when the rainbow trout are stocked in Rice Lake, visit Fish Wizard. This government funded website provides updated lake information that may assist you when planning out fishing trips. Generally, spring and autumn are the best period to fish this lake. However, fishing can be done year round as the lake does not freeze during winter.

411

Rice Lake is located at Seymour Demonstration Forest in North Vancouver. To get there from Vancouver, drive across Second Narrows Bridge on Hwy 1, get off at exit 22. Follow Lillooet Road after the exit as it climbs up the hill. At the end of Lillooet Road, you will reach a gravel road. Continue driving on the gravel road until you reach the entrance of Seymour Demonstration Forest. Park your car in the parking lot, and follow the trail signs to Rice Lake. The walk from the car to the lake is approximately ten minutes. Please note the designated park hours as gate will be closed after these hours.