Kamloops boasts some of the best lake fishing found anywhere in North America. There are 100+ highly productive lakes within a one-hour drive of the city that are stocked year-round. From grasslands to forested lakes, Kamloops' diverse landscape is suited for all anglers.
Fact: Kamloops is famous for its Rainbow Trout.
Fishing Best Practices
Fishing under COVID-19 guidelines:
Only fish with members of your family or others you are living with
Stay 2 metres (6 feet) from other people you come across.
Do not share vehicles with individuals outside of your family or others you are living with
Fish locally
Wash your hands often, especially around communal areas such as boat ramps, gates, etc.
Bring your own ‘Clean Trip Kit’. A clean trip kit includes hand sanitizer, gloves and toilet paper
Follow all travel advisories and self isolation requirements
Follow all municipal, Indigenous community, provincial and federal closures (e.g. parks, infrastructure, etc.
Fishing in Kamloops is available year-round with spring and fall months offering the most consistent open water fishing options. Good fishing is also available during the warm summer months at higher elevation lakes, and early winter provides exciting ice fishing action, as the fish are still actively feeding.
Top 5 Lakes
Edith Lake
Edith Lake is situated 25 minutes west of Kamloops off Highway 5A, known to locals as the Old Fishing Highway. The recreation site features camping for 15 units, day-use areas with picnic tables, a fishing dock, and three boat launches for cartop or small trailered boats. Kamloops Rainbow and Brook Trout are stocked year-round.
Monte Lake
Monte Lake is located 50km SE of Kamloops on Highway 97 towards Vernon. Trolling is the best method for consistent success of catching Kokanee between early spring and fall months. It is a popular spot for ice fishing beginning in January when the ice is thick enough.
Tunkwa Lake
Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park is located 40km from Kamloops off Highway 1 West between Savona and Logan Lake. Being one of British Columbia's premier fishing destinations, anglers can cast for Rainbow Trout from a boat, tube, canoe, or the shore. Camp at the provincial park or stay year-round at Tunkwa Lake Resort.
Roche Lake
Roche Lake is within the Roche Lake Provincial Park 35km from Kamloops off Highway 5A. Being one of the most popular fly fishing lakes in BC, anglers can expect to catch fish up to 6lbs. Camp at the provincial park or stay in a cabin, and rent a boat from Roche Lake Resort.
Jacko Lake
15km SE of Kamloops, Jacko Lake is one of the most productive stillwaters in BC. Rainbow Trout are stocked annually and grow up to 10lbs. The day-use site features a gravel boat launch and is only open from spring to fall. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended on the gravel road, 8kms off Inks Lake Road.
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC promotes freshwater fishing throughout BC. Their website offers detailed information on how to fish lakes using a variety of tackle types, information on lake stocking, and links to buy your freshwater fishing license online.
Kamloops lakes are rich in aquatic life. As the lakes begin their ice-off progress, an increase in chironomids can be seen in the Kamloops area. Chironomids make up a large percentage of Rainbow and Brook Trout diets, but they will also eat damselflies, scuds, leeches, dragonflies, mayflies, caddisflies, water boatmen, and backswimmers. During summer months, don’t be surprised to see caddis and stonefly hatches on the rivers; when timed correctly these hatches deliver some of the best dry-fly fishing anywhere in BC. During ice-fishing season, small jigs coupled with natural or artificial bait (as regulations allow) are the most productive.
Species
Three primary strains of Rainbow Trout are stocked in local lakes by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC: Pennask, Blackwater, and Fraser Valley. Eastern Brook Trout can also be found in some Kamloops stillwaters, as well as Chinook Salmon, Kokanee, Burbot, Northern Pikeminnow and Carp.
Pro Tips on Fly + Stillwater Fishing
Download the Stillwater Fly Fishing App from the Apple Store and Google Play to receive over 100 video tips for fly fishing in Kamloops from legends Brian Chan and Phil Rowley.
Casting Loops Fly & Tackle is Kamloops' only fishing dedicated store located at . Get your fly and tackle gear before casting a line on the many lakes around Kamloops.
12 Lakes located on the property, stocked with Kamloops rainbow trout. Accommodation available and enjoy the rich History of Douglas Lake Ranch which dates to the mid 1880’s.
As one of the oldest fishing camps and resorts in British Columbia, the Knouff Lake Resort has a fascinating history and stories. Experience the charm this resort has to offer and try your luck at catching a rainbow trout, boasting an unusual number of record catches this lake is a fisherman's paradise.
The ideal outdoor resort. Affordable for a family fishing vacation. The only lodge on the lake and our cabins have everything you need for a great stay.
Go for a swim or explore the lake in our modern & reliable fishing or pontoon boats. Famous for its high jumping, hard fighting Kamloops Rainbow Trout provides some of the best trout fishing in B.C.
Enjoy a plethora of fun activities alongside your fishing experience. Fly fish, troll, spin cast, or ice fish. There is something here for you and your family.
The lake has wild rainbow trout, stocked blackwater trout and cutthroat trout, and the fish bite year-round. Bring your belly boat, tube or pontoon boat and sample the amazing fly fishing.
Camping/RV accommodations, remote fishing resort stocked every year. Home of high-quality Kamloops rainbow trout. Hike, swim, unwind in the rustic chalet, at the pool, or in the hot tub.
Excellent place for your fishing and family vacations featuring cabins, campsites and RV sites. Hiking, biking, wildlife and bird watching are also available.
