Five of BC’s Top Trout Lakes
Consistency and accessibility puts these interior lakes at the top of the list
By April Vokey / Fish Frontiers Contributor
Options galore! BC’s interior has thousands of lakes to choose from, many with trout like this one hooked by Fish Frontiers fly fishing columnist April Vokey. (Photo by Matt Moisley)
KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The month of May marks the opening of British Columbia’s great interior lakes. Huge rainbow trout gorge themselves on insects and other aquatic creatures, adding bulk to their broad shoulders and guaranteeing an unbelievable battle.
The most frequently asked question that I encounter every year, both by locals and out-of-towners, is the age-old question of “which lake should I fish?” So every year, I hem and haw, trying to time the hatches accordingly, hoping to send them to a location where the fishing is at its peak.
Truth be told, B.C.'s spring fishery can be extremely finicky and hit-and-miss. Some lakes may produce fish for only a week, while others seem as though the bite never stops. The fact of the matter is that different lakes fish better at different times each year. Perhaps for some, this unpredictability is one of the factors that makes lake fishing so exciting. Perhaps for others, well, not so much. For those more partial to reliability, here are five of B.C.'s most popular (for good reason) lakes.
Pass Lake
Pass Lake is situated approximately 20 kilometers northwest of the city of Kamloops on the Lac Du Bois road. Easily accessible by cars and SUV’s, the lakes campsites are often quite busy with vacationing campers and anglers. To ensure a good site, it is best to try and arrive before a busy Saturday morning. Be sure to pack a bottle of mosquito repellent (for the bugs, not the campers!)
Because it’s a small lake, pontoon boats, belly boats and prams (with or without an electric motor), are ideal in maintaining the peaceful serenity of the calm lake. Motors are unnecessary and will most likely result in dirty looks from relaxed anglers. The water is unusually clear, and fish can often be seen cruising in the shoals. Pass Lake fish average 3 to 6 pounds, however, and are notorious for weighing in at upwards of 16 pounds! These monsters are a rarity, but are well worth the wait.
This fishery is classified as flyfishing only and is usually best fished with chironomids. One fish over 50 centimeters can be retained on Pass Lake.
Tunkwa Lake
Tunkwa Lake is one of the most accommodating lakes and lodges around (www.tunkwalakeresort.com). Open to flyfishing, bait, and artificial lures, it is a favorite among anglers of all sorts.
Located approximately 20 minutes north of the town of Logan Lake, Tunkwa is easily accessible by car. With numerous cabins, campsites, boats, washroom facilities and a fantastic tackle shop, Tunkwa Lake is ideal for a family vacation.
This lake is notorious for producing excellent numbers: catching 20 fish in a day is not abnormal. There have been reports of 10-pounders caught, but the average fish weighs in at 2 to 4 pounds.
Tunkwa is not an overly deep lake, and is more a single, solid shoal. This makes it ideal for the major chironomid hatch that occurs every spring.
Anglers may bring their own boats and should be advised that there is a 9.9 horsepower maximum restriction for outboard motors. The daily limit on Tunkwa is six fish.
Island Lake (Big OK Lake)
Island Lake is tucked up under the mountains of the Highland Valley, approximately one hour northwest of the town of Logan Lake . The road can be rough and is unfit for cars and small vehicles. When driving in to this lake keep an eye out for the breathtaking view of wild horses.
Main campsites can be found on the north shore and the southeast corner of the lake also provides several sites of a more rugged nature. A catch and release fishery, these trout average 3 to 6 pounds, but it’s not uncommon to catch fish upwards of ten pounds.
As stated in its name, Island Lake houses a huge sunken island located near the middle of the lake. Fishing on and around this island can prove highly effective. The water is clear and fish can be seen cruising the shoals and foraging in the plentiful weed beds, marl, and vegetation.
Island is a fly-fishing only lake and, with the exception of electric motors, no motor boats are permitted.
Sheridan Lake
Sheridan Lake undoubtedly contains some of the largest fish in British Columbia. Located near 100 Mile House in the Cariboo Region, Sheridan Lake is certainly not small. Because of its size motor boats are a preference and may be rented out through Sheridan Lake Resort (www.sheridanlakeresort.com). This lake is open to all types of fishing (with the exception of live bait) and contains rainbows that average 5 pounds. Fish reaching up to 20 pounds are a spectacular sight and are seen occasionally, leaving a scar on any anglers heart.
Camping is available through the lodge and there’s no shortage of room. With 19 cabins and 90 RV sites, there's a spot for everyone. The lake is extremely accessible, so cars are no burden. Trolling seems to be the preferred fishing method here, but chironomids, sedges and mayflies are targeted by trout as well.
The daily quota for retention is five fish, with only one over 50 centimeters.
Roche Lake
The Roche Lake area is a favorite among local B.C. anglers. The largest in a group of 10 lakes, Roche is situated about one hour southeast of Kamloops. Although most of these lakes contain prominent fisheries, Roche is an easy choice for anglers, providing textbook 'fishy' structure and large rainbows.
Some areas in this region are accessible by car, however, it is wise to make the trip in a four wheel drive vehicle. There is a beautiful resort on the north end of the lake (www.rochelake.com) and in addition to the resort there are multiple camp sites and boat launches available all over the lake.
Roche Lake has four islands and many bays, where a fly-fisherman can find leeches, caddis, chironomids, scuds, damsels, dragons and mayflies. Each of these species are abundant and provide a buffet to these healthy fish. The average fish varies between 2 and 4 pounds in Roche, but rainbows have been reported at over ten pounds. The daily quota is two fish and the lake is restricted to electric motors only.
Each of these lakes require a valid B.C. fishing license. I strongly recommend that each angler acquire a 2008 Freshwater Synopsis (available at any tackle shop), becoming familiar with B.C.'s laws, regulation changes, and ethics.
Good luck and tight lines!
-A.V. |
