Fishing in the Kootenays
Trout, char, sturgeon, and bass in southeastern BC. Kootenay Lake, Elk River, Columbia River, and the Rocky Mountain trenches.
1. Kootenay Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Nelson/Crawford BayKootenay 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.
2. Elk River (Cutthroat Trout)
Fernie areaThe 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.
3. Columbia River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Invermere areaThe upper Columbia River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and kokanee fishing. The river flows through the Columbia Valley wetlands.
4. Columbia River (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Castlegar/Trail areaThe lower Columbia River offers walleye, sturgeon, and rainbow trout fishing in the broader sections near Trail and Castlegar.
5. Kootenay River (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Creston areaThe Kootenay River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and walleye fishing. The river flows through Kootenay National Park and the Rocky Mountain Trench.
6. Moyle Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Near CranbrookMoyle Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing in a scenic Kootenay lake. The lake is popular for family camping.
7. Wasa Lake (Rainbow Trout)
WasaWasa Lake offers rainbow trout fishing and is known for its warm waters, making it one of the few swimming lakes in the Kootenays.
8. Cranbrook Area Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
CranbrookThe Cranbrook area has numerous small lakes offering rainbow trout fishing, including Jimsmith Lake and Norbury Lake.
9. Windermere Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
InvermereWindermere Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing near Invermere in the Columbia Valley.
10. Arrow Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
Revelstoke/Nakusp areaThe Arrow Lakes are a massive reservoir system offering rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing.
11. Revelstoke Reach (Rainbow Trout)
RevelstokeThe Revelstoke Reach of the Arrow Lakes offers excellent rainbow trout and kokanee fishing near Revelstoke.
12. Kinbasket Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Valemount areaKinbasket Lake, created by the Mica Dam, offers rainbow trout and bull trout fishing in a massive reservoir setting.
13. Slocan Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Slocan ValleySlocan Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and Dolly Varden fishing in the beautiful Slocan Valley.
14. Flathead River (Cutthroat Trout)
Southeastern BCThe Flathead River offers excellent cutthroat trout and bull trout fishing in a remote wilderness area near the US border.
15. Duncan Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Duncan areaDuncan Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Kootenay Lake region.
16. Moyie Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
MoyieMoyie Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing in a scenic Kootenay lake.
17. Tie Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Jaffray areaTie Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Elk Valley.
18. Lillian Lake (Rainbow Trout)
South Country areaLillian Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the southern Kootenays.
19. New Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Fermie areaNew Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Elk Valley.
20. Lake Koocanusa (Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Fermie areaLake Koocanusa is a large reservoir offering rainbow trout, kokanee, and walleye fishing.
21. Doris Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Cranbrook areaDoris Lake offers rainbow trout fishing near Cranbrook.
22. Kikomun Creek Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
Kikomun ParkKikomun Creek Provincial Park has several lakes offering rainbow trout and bass fishing.
23. Rosell Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Kikomun areaRosell Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Kikomun area.
24. Mack Creek (Rainbow Trout)
Near RevelstokeMack Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the Revelstoke area.
25. Mount Revelstoke Lakes (Rainbow Trout)
RevelstokeThe lakes in Mount Revelstoke National Park offer rainbow trout fishing in an alpine setting.
26. Trout Lake (Kootenay)
Trout Lake areaTrout Lake in the Kootenays offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing.
27. Beaton Arm (Rainbow Trout)
Beaton areaThe Beaton Arm of the Arrow Lakes offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing.
28. Ferguson Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Lardeau areaFerguson Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Duncan Lake area.
29. Tikitiki Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Near NakuspTikitiki Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Arrow Lakes region.
30. Merritt Creek (Cutthroat Trout)
Near Crawford BayMerritt Creek offers cutthroat trout fishing in the Kootenay Lake area.
31. Leach Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Aberfeldie areaLeach Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Fernie area.
32. Island Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near FernieIsland Lake offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in the Elk Valley.
33. Lake of the Hanging Glacier (Cutthroat Trout)
Near InvermereThe Lake of the Hanging Glacier is an alpine lake offering cutthroat trout fishing in a stunning setting.
Fishing Tips for the Kootenays Region
- Get a licence -- Buy online at fishing.gov.bc.ca.
- Try Kootenay Lake -- Kootenay Lake offers the famous Gerrard rainbow trout, which can exceed 20 pounds.
- Fish the Elk River -- The Elk River near Fernie offers excellent fly fishing for bull trout and cutthroat trout.
- Watch for bears -- The Kootenays have significant bear populations. Carry bear spray and be bear aware.
- Explore the backcountry -- The Kootenays have hundreds of remote lakes accessible by hiking or canoeing.
- Get a licence — All anglers 18+ need an Ontario fishing licence. Buy online at ontario.ca/fishing.
- Watch Great Lakes weather — Lake Erie is notorious for sudden, dangerous storms. Check marine forecasts before heading out.
- Hire a charter — For Lake Ontario salmon and Lake Erie walleye, chartered trips are the most productive option.
- Fish the Bay of Quinte in fall — September through November offers the best trophy walleye fishing in the bay.
- Try the Niagara River — The Niagara River offers year-round fishing opportunities unmatched in Ontario.
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