For popularity and ease of access, Elk and Beaver Lakes are tough to beat. These conjoined lakes are located directly in Saanich, just north of Victoria. Adding to the lakes’ accessibility, there is a fishing pier on the northwest side of Elk Lake. Elk Lake was stocked with over 18,000 rainbow trout in 2019. There are bass and perch in Elk / Beaver Lakes, too. These were introduced some years ago. “Powerbait has been really good lately,” says Jon Bond, Pro Staff at Island Outfitters. “Talked to some people recently and they’ve had 20-30 trout a day just from shore.” Bond recommends bubblegum Powerbait as it’s been producing very well so far this year. He says the most effective colours seem to be pink, white, and flourescent yellow. For bass fishing, Bond recommends Yum Dingers (soft plastic bait), as well as a new product called­ the Jackal. When fishing for bass, “you want to be casting close to weed beds and rock structures. Cast and let it sink. Give it little twitches every five to seven seconds,” says Bond. The Elk Lake pier on the NW shore via Brookleigh Road is wheelchair accessible. Regulations for Beaver and Elk Lakes have been updated with a smallmouth bass quota of four. The lake page for Elk and Beaver Lakes at anglersatlas.com is packed full of tips, map markers and coming events. LAKE ACCESS Elk Lake: From Victoria take the Pat Bay Hwy towards Sidney. Take left on Sayward drive and then left on Hamsterly Road. Continue to Brookleigh Road and take a right. Just ahead is park entrance. Beaver Lake: From Victoria take the Pat Bay Hwy towards Sidney. Take the Royal Oak Drive exit, cross over the highway, and take right onto Elk Lake Drive. Park entrance is on your left.

Doesn't that smile say it all! This is of my son Noah. It goes to show that a little hiking to explore new fishing spots can sometimes pay off. We didn't remember a net this afternoon so it was an adventure getting it out of the water and releasing it on the rocky shoal. My son always wants to fish, I can't always get the time to take him but catching this large mouth bass was for sure the highlight of our freshwater fishing adventure this winter. Michael Husdon

Catch 5 little basses this morning

Daughter Erika's first fish...

Daughter Erika's first fish (which she named "Fin") on our fishing trip to Beaver Lake, Victoria, B.C.