Fishing in the Thompson & Okanagan
World-class steelhead, rainbow trout, and kokanee in BC's interior. The legendary Thompson River and Okanagan Lake.
1. Thompson River (Steelhead)
Kamloops areaThe Thompson River is one of the world's premier steelhead rivers. Both summer and winter steelhead runs provide world-class fishing in a dramatic canyon setting. Spey casting is the classic technique.
2. Thompson River (Rainbow Trout)
Spences Bridge areaThe Thompson River also offers excellent rainbow trout fishing, particularly in the spring and fall when trout feed on salmon eggs.
3. Okanagan Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Kelowna to PentictonOkanagan Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and lake trout fishing in BC's largest Okanagan lake. The lake is deep and clear, with fish holding at various depths.
4. Kalamalka Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Vernon areaKalamalka Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing in a stunningly clear lake known for its marl formations.
5. Skaha Lake (Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
PentictonSkaha Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and smallmouth bass fishing in the southern Okanagan.
6. Osoyoos Lake (Rainbow Trout)
OsoyoosOsoyoos Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and bass fishing in Canada's warmest lake. The lake straddles the US border.
7. Shuswap Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Salmon Arm areaShuswap Lake offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and salmon fishing in one of BC's most popular recreational lakes.
8. Adams River (Salmon)
Near ChaseThe Adams River hosts one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in North America. The river is primarily a viewing destination during the fall run.
9. Nicola River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Merritt areaThe Nicola River offers rainbow trout and steelhead fishing in the Nicola Valley. The river's productive waters hold good fish populations.
10. Coldwater River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Merritt areaThe Coldwater River offers excellent steelhead and rainbow trout fishing near Merritt in the Nicola Valley.
11. Shuswap River (Rainbow Trout)
Enderby areaThe Shuswap River offers rainbow trout, kokanee, and salmon fishing in the North Okanagan.
12. South Thompson River (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Kamloops to Little ShuswapThe South Thompson River offers excellent rainbow trout and steelhead fishing. The river is known for large rainbow trout.
13. Kamloops Lake (Rainbow Trout)
KamloopsKamloops Lake offers trophy rainbow trout fishing. The lake's nutrient-rich waters produce fast-growing trout that can exceed 10 pounds.
14. Paul Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Kamloops areaPaul Lake is a famous fly fishing lake known for its large rainbow trout. The lake is managed for quality fishing with fly-only regulations.
15. Sheridan Lake (Rainbow Trout)
100 Mile House areaSheridan Lake offers excellent rainbow trout fishing in the South Cariboo region. The lake is a popular family destination.
16. White Lake (Penticton)
Penticton areaWhite Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in a unique desert lake setting near Penticton.
17. Vaseux Lake (Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout)
Oliver areaVaseux Lake offers rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and perch fishing near Oliver.
18. Tucelnuit Lake (Rainbow Trout)
OliverTucelnuit Lake offers rainbow trout and bass fishing in the southern Okanagan.
19. Parker Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Near PentictonParker Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in the Okanagan Highlands.
20. Hayes Creek (Rainbow Trout)
Merritt areaHayes Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the Nicola Valley.
21. Spius Creek (Eel, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead)
Merritt areaSpius Creek offers steelhead and rainbow trout fishing in the Thompson River system.
22. Deadman River (Rainbow Trout)
Kamloops areaThe Deadman River offers rainbow trout fishing in the Thompson region.
23. Cache Creek (Rainbow Trout)
Cache Creek areaCache Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the Thompson-Nicola region.
24. Marble Canyon Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Lillooet areaMarble Canyon Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in a stunning canyon setting.
25. Seton Lake (Rainbow Trout)
LillooetSeton Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing near Lillooet.
26. Anderson Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Pemberton areaAnderson Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Pemberton Valley.
27. Birkenhead Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Pemberton areaBirkenhead Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park.
28. Lillooet Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Pemberton areaLillooet Lake offers rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Lillooet Valley.
29. Adams Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Chase areaAdams Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing near the Adams River.
30. Little Shuswap Lake (Rainbow Trout)
ChaseLittle Shuswap Lake offers rainbow trout and kokanee fishing at the outlet of the Adams River.
Fishing Tips for the Thompson & Okanagan Region
- Get a licence -- Buy online at fishing.gov.bc.ca. A salmon conservation stamp is required for salmon fishing.
- Try the Thompson -- The Thompson River steelhead fishery is world-renowned. Fall and spring offer the best fishing.
- Fish the lakes in summer -- The Okanagan lakes fish well throughout the summer, with kokanee and rainbow trout holding in deeper water.
- Watch for heat -- The Okanagan can get extremely hot in summer. Early morning and evening fishing is most productive.
- Respect the resource -- Steelhead populations in the Thompson are fragile. Practise careful catch-and-release.
- 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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