Fishing in the Kootenays

Kootenay Lake is one of BC's premier fishing lakes, offering rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee, and the famous Gerrard rainbow trout. Gerrards can exceed 20 pounds.

1. Kootenay Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Nelson/Crawford Bay

Kootenay Lake is one of BC's premier fishing lakes, offering rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee, and the famous Gerrard rainbow trout. Gerrards can exceed 20 pounds.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

2. Elk River (Cutthroat Trout)

Fernie area

The Elk River offers excellent bull trout and cutthroat trout fishing in the Rocky Mountain foothills. The river's clear, cold waters are ideal for fly fishing.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

3. Columbia River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Invermere area

The lower Columbia River offers walleye, sturgeon, and rainbow trout fishing in the broader sections and Castlegar.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

4. Kootenay River (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)

Creston area

The Kootenay River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and walleye fishing. The river flows through Kootenay National Park and the Rocky Mountain Trench.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

5. Wasa Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Wasa

Wasa Lake offers rainbow trout fishing and is known for its warm waters, making it one of the few swimming lakes in the Kootenays.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

6. Cranbrook Area Lakes (Rainbow Trout)

Cranbrook

The Cranbrook area has numerous small lakes offering rainbow trout fishing, including Jimsmith Lake and Norbury Lake.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

7. Windermere Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Invermere

Windermere Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Columbia Valley.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

8. Arrow Lakes (Rainbow Trout)

Revelstoke/Nakusp area

The Arrow Lakes are a massive reservoir system offering rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

9. Revelstoke Reach (Rainbow Trout)

Revelstoke

The Revelstoke Reach of the Arrow Lakes offers excellent rainbow trout and kokanee fishing.

Boat Launch: Revelstoke Reach →

10. Kinbasket Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Valemount area

Kinbasket Lake, created by the Mica Dam, offers rainbow trout and bull trout fishing in a massive reservoir setting.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

11. Slocan Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Slocan Valley

Slocan Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing in the beautiful Slocan Valley.

Boat Launch: Silverton Boat Launch →

12. Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout)

Southeastern BC

The Flathead River offers excellent cutthroat trout and bull trout fishing in a remote wilderness area.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

13. Duncan Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Duncan area

Duncan Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Kootenay Lake region.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

14. Moyie Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye)

Moyie

Moyie Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing in a scenic Kootenay lake.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

15. Tie Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Jaffray area

Tie Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Elk Valley.

Boat Launch: Baynes Lake Public Boat Launch →

16. Lillian Lake (Rainbow Trout)

South Country area

Lillian Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the southern Kootenays.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

17. New Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Fermie area

New Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Elk Valley.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

18. Lake Koocanusa (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)

Fermie area

Lake Koocanusa is a large reservoir offering rainbow trout, kokanee, and walleye fishing.

Boat Launch: Koocanusa Marina →

19. Doris Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Cranbrook area

Doris Lake offers rainbow trout fishing.

Boat Launch: Doris Lake →

20. Kikomun Creek Lakes (Rainbow Trout)

Kikomun Park

Kikomun Creek Provincial Park has several lakes offering rainbow trout and bass fishing.

Boat Launch: Koocanusa Marina →

21. Mack Creek (Rainbow Trout)

Mack Creek, British Columbia

Mack Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the Revelstoke area.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

22. Mount Revelstoke Lakes (Rainbow Trout)

Revelstoke

The lakes in Mount Revelstoke National Park offer rainbow trout fishing in an alpine setting.

Boat Launch: Mount Revelstoke Lakes →

23. Trout Lake (Kootenay)

Trout Lake area

Trout Lake in the Kootenays offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

24. Beaton Arm (Rainbow Trout)

Beaton area

The Beaton Arm of the Arrow Lakes offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

25. Ferguson Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Lardeau area

Ferguson Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Duncan Lake area.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

26. Merritt Creek (Cutthroat Trout)

Merritt Creek, British Columbia

Merritt Creek offers cutthroat trout fishing in the Kootenay Lake area.

Boat Launch: Merritt Creek →

27. Leach Lake (Rainbow Trout)

Aberfeldie area

Leach Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Fernie area.

Boat Launch: The Old Ferry Landing →

28. Island Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Island Lake, British Columbia

Island Lake offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in the Elk Valley.

Boat Launch: Koocanusa Marina →

29. Lake of the Hanging Glacier (Cutthroat Trout)

Lake of the Hanging Glacier, British Columbia

The Lake of the Hanging Glacier is an alpine lake offering cutthroat trout fishing in a stunning setting.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

30. 108 Mile Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

108 Mile Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: Ruth Lake Park Boat Launch →

31. 130 Mile Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

130 Mile Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

32. 180 Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

180 Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: East Launch →

33. 28 Mile Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

28 Mile Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: 28 Mile Lake →

34. 4 Mile Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

4 Mile Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: 4 Mile Lake →

35. 6 Mile Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

6 Mile Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: 6 Mile Lake →

36. Aba Lake (Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye, Kootenay)

Aba Lake, British Columbia

Named lake in the Kootenays region of British Columbia.

Boat Launch: East Launch →