Hooked on Kamloops: The Angler’s Guide to Trout Shore Fishing
With countless lakes and easy-access shorelines, Kamloops is a dream spot to cast a line, kick back, and hook into some hard‑fighting trout.
Trout and About
Have you thought about trout fishing when planning your road or camping trips to the Thompson-Nicola region this spring? Between April and June, freshwater anglers from BC and beyond often gather around Kamloops due to the lake fishing opportunities which this region offers. Thanks to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, dozens of lakes around Kamloops are stocked annually with trout. Each lake has its own qualities, there are family friendly lakes which produce high abundance of fish, while others produce fewer but exceptionally big fish for anglers who are looking for a challenge.
Most trout average between 1 to 2 pound heavy, but due to the amount of nutrient found in our BC interior lakes, fish bigger than 5 pound are in fact not rare! Two particular species are found in stocked lakes, they are rainbow trout and brook trout. Whether you are just travelling through Kamloops or camping by one of these lakes, trout fishing is readily available once you have a BC freshwater fishing license which can be purchased online.
Although fishing is best from a boat, there are many lakes around Kamloops where shore accessible fisheries for visitors are available. Fishing can be done directly from shore at some lakes, while some have floating docks installed specifically for fishing. Catching fish from shore is also not uncommon in spring months, as trout often cruise into shallower parts of the lake to feed during certain times of the day. Some of these accessible, family friendly lakes around Kamloops include Edith Lake, Lodgepole Lake, Stake Lake, Lac Le Jeune, Walloper Lake, Heffley Lake, all within 30 minutes drive from Kamloops. To find out what trout species are stocked in which lakes, and what accessible infrastructures are available at each lake, visit Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s website.
Rodney Hsu
Did someone say float fishing?
Unlike what many believe, fly fishing is not the only option when fishing for trout. With a conventional spinning setup, you can be just as successful. When purchasing a spinning rod, look for a light to medium-light rod around 6 to 8 feet long. A small spinning reel spooled with 6lb test monofilament or 10lb braided line is more than enough to handle these stocked trout. Casting and retrieving lures such as a spoon or spinner can trigger a reactionary bite. This is by far the easiest way to fish for trout, and works great especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when fish would cruise into the shallows and feed. When fishing with a lure, allow it to sink for a few seconds before starting your retrieve. Trout tend to travel close to the bottom to avoid predators and look for food, so keeping your lure close to the bottom while retrieving would increase your chance of hooking up.
Another option, which is my favourite, is float fishing. This involves using a float, or bobber, to suspend your presentation at a certain spot where fish are likely to swim by. This setup alsokeeps your hook away from weeds and snags on the bottom. The float is your bite indicator.
When the fish bites onto your hook, it pulls the float under, telling you that it is time to reel in the big one!
The size of your float should not be too big, otherwise it can be difficult for the fish to pull under. My recommendation is a float rated 6 to 10g. The weight number refers to the amount of weight you need on your line to balance the float. A well balanced float is one that sits straight in the water, with the top coloured part of the float sticking out of the water.
The Great Bait
If allowed by the regulations, bait such as dew worm, deli shrimp, single salmon eggs, are all excellent bait for trout fishing. The size of your should be number 6 or 8 and preferably barbless even if the regulation allows it. A barbless hook makes releasing any fish which you do not wish to catch much more easily. It can also save you a lot of grief if you hook yourself by accident.
Beside bait, an even better option is to tie a fly under the float! Trout typically feed on aquatic invertebrates, so using flies which imitate their groceries can result in many more bites. Stores such as the Kamloops Fly Shop at Domenic’s Marine is an excellent source for flies that work. Not only do they have the patterns needed, you are also able to talk to staff who regularly fish the lakes around Kamloops and know what work best. Chironomids, mayflies, damsels and leeches are the main patterns that you should try under a float. A word of caution, hold onto your rod or place is securely, because trout tend to grab the fly and go before you could react. Every now and then, an angler would watch his or her rod flying off the dock or boat when not paying attention!
The old saying “early bird gets the worms” does not apply to lake fishing for trout. Feeding times in fact usually between mid morning and mid afternoon, which is prime time for insect hatches. What’s better than having a late breakfast while sitting back and waiting for your float to go under?
Hook, line and stewardship
It is important to know the freshwater regulations when fishing at lakes around Kamloops. Beside having a valid freshwater fishing license, you should be aware of any gear regulations and limits of trout that you can keep for consumption. By following these regulations and fishing responsibly, we can ensure that our lake fisheries are sustainable so others can have the same enjoyable experience. Regulations can be found here
Both rainbow trout and brook trout found in lakes around Kamloops can be very tasty! To enjoy them fresh, they can be grilled over a camp fire, pan fried with your favourite seasonings, or baked in the oven. They are also excellent when smoked or canned, which can be enjoyed later on as a healthy snack.
If you plan to visit Kamloops, be sure to pack a spinning rod and reel, and you won't be disappointed!
Author: Rodney Hsu
Rod is the owner and host of Fishing with Rod since 2001. He is an avid angler, but also a fishery advocate and educator for the past two decades. Rod is also a public advisor for the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, and the past vice president of Family Fishing Society of BC.