Morfee Lake is a mere five minutes from downtown Mackenzie. It is stocked annually with rainbow trout and is home to lake trout, chub and whitefish as well. Morfee Lake is one of the region’s family fishing waters. This means that the lake is easily fished from shore or by boat, and is an ideal place for young or beginner anglers. Beginners may want to consider going after chub. Though not the best for eating, chub can be caught fairly easily and may keep younger folks interested while they learn. Try using smaller sized hooks and rods. Target the lower depths with a small split shot above the hook. The trout in Morfee Lake are from the Blackwater strain. They are aggressive and tend to be most active during the day. They prefer to forage in shallower water. Angler’s Atlas member 7A_gillie says, “Large Lake Trout with bright orange flesh were taken from shallow areas and ice shelves in early spring using larger spoons cast and retrieved slowly. Spawning Rainbow Trout in shallow gravely areas were readily striking small casting lures of any type as well as suspended bait like dough or single eggs. May and June provided fantastic fishing unencumbered by sport boaters and jet skiers. This spring the stocked Rainbow Trout were very thermocline dependant, rarely rising more than 10’ for a strike. Gang trolls with inline weight sunk to roughly 15’ (below surface) were consistently producing fish no greater than 36cm in length.” In his book, Fly Fishing B.C.’s Interior, author and photographer Brian Smith reccommends using smaller nymphs in the fall than you would in the spring. Fish through areas of cover such as logs or weeds. Smith also suggests that some larger, pale green patterns with larger eyes could be the trick for a slow day in many Interior lakes. Try keeping these patterns on hand with several sizes of nymph patterns. Pick up Smith’s book at local bookstores. Also keep an eye out for Smith’s most recent book, Seasons of a Fly Fisher, published in 2013. LAKE ACCESS From Mackenzie town centre at the intersection of Mackenzie Blvd and Centennial Drive, head down Centennial Drive 2.5 kilometres to Morfee Lake Road. Drive down this road to the lake. There are sandy beaches and numerous opportunities for recreational activities. Accomodation is available in the town of Mackenzie, including a campground.

Great start to the year

It has been another good season for fishing on Morfee. Large Lake Trout with bright orange flesh were taken from shallow areas and ice shelves in early spring using larger spoons cast and retrieved slowly. Spawning Rainbow Trout in shallow gravely areas were readily striking small casting lures of any type as well as suspended bait like dough or single eggs. May and June provided fantastic fishing unencumbered by sport boaters and jet skiers. This spring the stocked Rainbow Trout were very thermocline dependant, rarely rising more than 10’ for a strike. Gang trolls with inline weight sunk to roughly 15’ (below surface) were consistently producing fish no greater than 36cm in length. Summer gave way to busy sun filled days on Morfee where anglers would often struggle against the waves and noise generated by other recreators. However persistence was often rewarded by larger “summer weight” Rainbow Trout caught just below the surface in any part of the lake. It was discovered that short lines and s-pattern trolling was the most efficient means of landing fish. The water temperature becomes increasingly warm in the late summer months, so oversize gear is recommended if the angler is practicing catch and release. This year, fishing was notably slower on overcast or windy days. Due to high creek discharge last year, third beach has a considerably larger gravel area that has once again become a popular spot for a pit-stop. As a result, lots of trash had to be cleaned up throughout the year.

fighting rainbows

Fished morfee from my canoe about 5 times a week may thru nov 09. Catching rainbows 1 to 1 1/5 lbs. Easy 2 to 8 fish per hour. Sometimes non stop. Used red wedding band and 1/4 of dew worm. Best around noon to 4 o`clock..Sunny hot days were execellent and nice place to swim also. Fished out of my ski boat in sept and oct. We got skunked 1 day only. There mouths got soft in late summer with higher water temps I believe. So lost many..Incredible fighting bows. Ice fishing real slow this year. Two lakers 6 and 9 lbs and a couple of bows. Bows here deep red flesh. Very good eating.