Shuswap Region Fishing Guide
Info on the lakes and rivers of the Shuswap area and where to put a line in the water
Lake fishing
Adams Lake
Best fishing in late spring due to feeding at the top of the lake summer means the fish start to go deeper and a downrigger is advised.
Contains : Rainbow, Lake and Dolly VardenTrout with Kokanee fishing good from August to October
Arthur Lake
Directions: off of Bolean Lake Road
Recreation: has site and cartop boat launch
good fishing through summer best to fish in early June with a fly
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Chum, Phillips, & Fleming Lake
Directions: East of Chase on Turtle Valley Road with Phillips lake being just south of Chum lake and continuing on Skimikin Lake Road you will come across Fleming Lake. Private property may restrict access
Contains: Chum Lake - Kokanee and Rainbow Trout
Phillips Lake - stocked with Eastern Brook and Rainbow Trout
Fleming Lake - Stocked Rainbow Trout
Dixon & Little Dixon Lake
Directions: Found on Dixon Creek Forest Service Road the branches east off of Highway 5 South of Barrier with Little Dixon Lake being just to the east
Contains: Both Lakes - Rainbow Trout
East Barriere Lake
Directions; found off East Barriere Lake Forest Service Road
The large lake is usually trolled and working flies near the shoals
Recreation: has an airstrip, rec site for camping and a boat launch on the west end
Contains: Kokanee, Dolly Varden, Rainbow, and Lake Trout
Eileen Lake
Directions: found off an access road south of Sun Peaks
Due to the lake warming in the summer the best times to fish are spring and fall. You can launch small boats. Also Amphitheatre and Rhoda Lakes are found nearby.
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout with trout in Amphitheatre and Rhoda Lakes as well
Gannet & Telfer Lakes
Directions: Found near 13km mark of Gannet Lake Forest Service Road with the access road possibly requiring 4 wheel drive
For best results in Gannet Lake work the shallows and weed beds with flies and in Telfer Fish around the creek mouths
Recreation: has a rec site on the northern shore with a small boat launch
Contains: both - Rainbow Trout
Gardom Lake - Electric motor only restriction with a 2 fish daily limit
Directions: Off Highway 97B between Enderby and Salmon Arm with a small boat launch found off of Teal Road
Known for its clear water and has been rehabilitated with reports of trout over 1kg being caught. Ice fishing is not advised due to the lake being aerated
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout
Goose Lake
Directions: easily accessed from Vernon
Contains: Carp when water levels are down
Griffin Lake
Directions: next to Highway 1 NW of three valley gap
Best to fish with a willow leaf, plug or flatfish
Contains: small pop of Dolly Varden, Lake and Rainbow Trout. All Lake and Dollies must be released
Haggkvist & Sigalet Lakes
Directions: accessed by a branch off Silver Hills Forest Service Road
Use of fly and trolling is recommended
Recreation: Has Rec site with camping and boat launches
Contains: Rainbow Trout and Kokanee
Harbour & Dudgeon Lakes
Directions: found on Tum Tum Harbour-Dudgeon Lake Forest Service
Road in Harbour-Dudgeon Provincial Park
Recreation: Harbour lake has a rec site and a small boat launch
Contains: Harbour Lake - Rainbow Trout
Dudgeon Lake - Reported Arctic Char, Bull Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden, Lake Trout, and Steelhead
Harper Lake
Directions: found on a secondary road off the Chase-Falkland Road
Preferred method is fly fishing due to a bait ban, ice fishing ban among other restrictions. A good selection of leeches, shrimp, and dragonfly patterns for the summer
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout
Hidden & Baird Lakes - Baird lake has a electric motor only restriction
Directions: west of Mable Lake along HIdden Lake Forest Service Road
Best fished in the spring and fall along the outlet stream and along the estuaries at the south end of the lake.
Recreation: both lakes have rec sites and small boat launches
Contains: Both - stocked Rainbow Trout
Holiday, Noreen, & Stony Lakes
Directions: found off the rough Three Valley Holiday Branch north of Kingfisher
Recreation: all three lakes have a rec site
Contains: Holiday - stocked Rainbow Trout
Noreen - Rainbow Trout
Stony - reported variety of species
Holsein & Kathy Lakes
Directions: Access Via SIlver Hills Forest Service Road
Kathy lake is small with the best times being early summer and fall with lure, bait, or fly. Holstein lake also offers good fishing despite the marshy shoreline.
Recreation: Kathy Lake has a rec site and small boat launch
Contains: Kathy Lake - stocked Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout
Holstein Lake - stocked Rainbow Trout
Hunakwa Lake
Directions: boat access only from the Anisty arm of Shuswap Lake and a small hike in
Trolling, spincast and fly fishing all produce
Hyas & Area Lakes
Directions: North of Paul Lake requiring 4 wheel drive to access
At Hayas the preferred method is to troll and the other lakes in the chain
Hadlow, Warren, and Pemberton Lakes. The lakes are closed from Dec 1st to April 30th
Recreation: Hayas Lake has a rec site and a small boat launch
Contains: All lakes are stocked with Rainbow Trout
Jimmy & Nugget Lakes
Directions: Access found south of Ingram Creek Forest Service Road
Fly fishing is good during the spring chironomid hatch and the late June sedge hatch with smaller nugget lake nearby check regulations before leaving as the lakes are heavily regulated.
Recreation: Jimmy Lake has a rec site and a small boat launch
Contains: Stocked Rainbow Trout
Jhonson Lake
Directions: accessed off of Johnson Lake Road
Trolling is your best bet
Recreation: there is a resort on the lake that offers camping and cabin rentals
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Joyce Lake
Directions: Beside Chase Falkland Road
Recreation: has a rec site
Contains: regularly stocked Rainbow Trout
Kidney & Liver Lakes
Directions: Accessed off of a rough spur road (4 wheel drive is recommended) that is off the Three Valley-Mable Forest Service Road
Fishing in a belly boat is recommended while fly fishing the many shallow areas around the lake
Recreation: both have a small rec site and Kidney has a small boat launch
Contains: Both - stocked Rainbow Trout
Lake Revelstoke
Directions: Large reservoir north of the Revelstoke dam
Trolling the deep lake or fishing by any creek mouths provide good results. Trolling quickly with a plug or a minnow look alike is suggested. Do beware of any debris that may fall into the lake
Recreation: there are a number of rec sites along highway 23
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Burbot, Bull Trout, Kokanee, and Whitefish
Little Shuswap Lake
Trolling Bucktails, Apex, or plugs produce good results and you may need a downrigger in the later months of summer Be sure to check the regulations of Shuswap lake
Recreation: Chase lions RV park offers a boat launch and day area and there is also a lodge on the lake as well.
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Mable Lake
Directions: is east of Enderby and can be accessed from Kingfisher and Lumby where there is a provincial park
Primarily a trolling lake salmon can be caught near the river mouth on salmon gear
Recreation: has a provincial park and RV resort and airstrip and a forest service site near the north end of the lake
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Kokanee, Lake Trout, and Lake Whitefish. During the salmon run Chinook and other species can be found by the river mouths.
Mara Lake
Directions: accessed from Highway 97A south of Sicamous
The lake is primarily used for recreational boating
Recreation: has a provincial park and numerous large boat launches and also has resorts on the lake as well
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Kokanee fishing is good from July - October
McCorvie Lake
Directions: North of Highway 5 near Vavenby the lake is accessed by a steep switchbacking McCorvie Forest Service Road or the steeper
McCorvie-Graffunder Forest Service Road
Contains: Rainbow Trout
McGillivray & Morrissey Lakes - Bait ban and gear restrictions
Directions: west of Chase along the McGillivray Forest Service Road
Has dark nutrient rich water and is good for fly fishing with the caddisflies, chironomids, May and Damselfly nymphs and leeches in the lake. Slow trolls with a Deadly Dick or Flatfish are also effective.
Recreation: has a rec site with camping and a boat launch
Contains: Both - Rainbow Trout
Momich Lakes
Directions: located in Momich lakes parks and the smaller lakes can be reached from the main lake
Best trolled but the fish are difficult to catch in the summer
Contains: Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout
Monte Lake
Directions: next to Highway 97
Trolling to catch the fish is your best bet
Recreation: has a boat launch, private campground and a provincial park
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout and stocked Kokanee
Nellies Lake
Directions: found southwest of Seymour
Recreation: has a rec site with 4 camping spots
Contains: occasionally stocked Rainbow Trout
Niskonlith Lake
Directions: east of the South Thompson River
Has good hatches in the spring and summer for fly fishing with the best fishing around island
Recreation: has a boat launch
North Barriere Lake
The most often used method is to troll with the best times being in the fall and spring
Recreation: has a rec site
Contains: Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Kokanee, Whitefish, and Burbot
Otter Lake
Directions: North of Vernon accessed via Otter Lake Road
Fishing is generally slow
Contains: Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden
Pettipiece & Parameter Lakes
Directions: found below Pettipiece pass in the mountains west of Lake
Revelstoke need a 4 wheel drive vehicle along a branch off of Seymour-Ratchford Forest Service Road
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Pillar Lake - Engine power restriction 7.5Kw (10hp)
Directions: access via Chase-Falkland Forest Service Road
Named for the basalt pillars that are nearby the lake offers good fly fishing, bait fishing, and trolling. flies that are recommended are damselfly or dragonfly pattern in the spring hatches near the shoals
Recreation: there is a resort, rec site and boat launch
Contains: Rainbow Trout and stocked Kokanee
Pinaus and Area Lakes
Directions: accessed via Pinaus Lake Road with Lady King Lake, Little Pinaus Lake, and Square Lake.
The lake is windy with the weedy area of the lake being infested with perch so if you want to fish for trout avoid the weeds. Little Pinaus is good for the kids due to how easy it is to catch perch from shore.
Contains: Pinaus Lake - Rainbow Trout and Perch
Little Pinaus Lake - Rainbow Trout and Perch
Lady King Lake - Rainbow Trout
Square Lake - stocked Rainbow Trout
Rosemond Lake (AKA Mud Lake)
Directions: access via channel from Mara Lake or Rosemond lake road but to access the rec sit you need to take the longer Rosemond Branch Forestry Road
Fishing is similar to Mara Lake
Recreation: has a rec site
Contains: Rainbow, Lake Trout and Dolly Varden
Round & Madelen Lakes
Directions: North of O’keefs east of Highway 97 on a short branch off of Madlyn Lake Road.
Rests on an indian reserve and with the property access may be a bit restricted.
Contains: Round Lake - Carp Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, and Whitefish
Madelen Lake - Rainbow Trout
Saskum Lake
Directions: accessed by Saskum Lake Forest Service Road
To the east of the lake is Jeep Lake that is difficult to access
Recreation: has a rec site
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and Whitefish
Shuswap Lake
Directions: can be accessed from the many boat launches and towns that are all around the lake
The larger fish are caught most often in the winter and early spring when the surface temps are cooler and then progressively deeper as the water warms. Use an Apex, Gypsy Spoon, or Layman Plug. need special tags to keep any trout over 50cm(20in) and no salmon fishing is permitted . The lake is home to 19 types of fish.
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Bull trout, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Kokane, Carp, Northern Pikeminnow, and Lake Whitefish.
Skmana Lake
Directions: Accessed off of Loakin Bear Creek Road out of Chase
Recreation: trails and a rec site
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout
Skimikin Lake
Directions: Accessed by Skimikin Lake road west of the Tappen valley
Recreation: has trails and a rec site
Contains: stocked Rainbow Trout
Smith, Janning, & Mulholland Lake
Directions: short hike north of Darlington Creek Forest Service Road with Janning lake being the closest to the road.
Contains: All - Rainbow Trout
South Barriere Lake
Directions: accessed by South Barriere Lake Forest Service Road
Smallest of the three Barriere lakes and fly fishing and trolling the spring and fall
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Stukemapten Lake
Directions: accessed off of Humamilt Lake Road
Best times to fish are late spring or early fall and the lake has recently been reported to have been overrun with suckers.
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Sugar Lake
The fish are best caught while trolling with fly fishing also being successful near the river channel at the north end
Recreation: developed rec sites and a bistro lodge
Contains: Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Whitefish, Kokanee and Burbot.
Swan Lake
Recreation: 2 RV campgrounds and a public boat launch
Contains: Carp, heavily stocked Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Burbot, Smallmouth and largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.
Three Valley Lake
Directions: West of Revelstoke along the Trans Canada Highway
Recreation: has a boat launch, resort and, camping
Contains: Rainbow, Lake, and Bull Trout, Kokanee, and Whitefish
Tsikustum Lake
Directions: Off of Rock Creek Main
Best season is in the early summer or fall
Recreation: small boat launch
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Wallensteen & Kernaghan Lakes
Directions: to the north of Falkland
Good fishing from June to October with fly fishing being best in the evening. Kerrigan lake is carry in.
Contains: Both - Rainbow Trout
White Lake
Directions: north of Salmon Arm towards Chase
Most used method of fishing is trolling but the use of flies in the early spring or late fall is effective around the shoals in the lake. Ice fishing also produces once the ice is thick enough. Beware as goldfish have been introduced into the lake.
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Woods Lake
Directions: accessed via Ingram Creek Forest Service Road
Clear lake that offers good sight fishing, trolling and fly fishing. around the many shoals in the lake.
Recreation: has a rec site and a small boat launch
Contains: Rainbow Trout
Rivers and Streams
Adams River
There are guided trips out of Quaaout lodge near the source and the lower areas of the river are protected by Roderick Haig Park. beat bets when fishing is fly fishing an egg imitation, or casting spoons and spinners. The river is heavily regulated with the regulations differing between upstream and downstream.
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Whitefish, and Chinook, Sockeye, Chum, and Coho salmon in the fall, the river is however closed to salmon fishing
Anstey River
Directions: drains into the north arm of Shuswap Lake
Is a good catch and release fishery and any rainbow trout must be put back and has a bait ban
Contains: Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden
Chase Creek
Directions: flows from Pillar Lake through Chase Easily accessible all along Chase-Falkland Road
Contains: Rainbow Trout and Pink Salmon run in season
Eagle River
Directions: runs parallel to Highway 1 and drains into Shuswap Lake just north of Sicamous
There is a bait ban downstream of Griffin Lake and a 5 km/hr speed limit in the river
Contains: Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Whitefish are reported, and in season Chinook, Coho, Kokanee, Steelhead, and Sockeye
Perry River
Directions: joins Eagle River North of Craigechelle accessed via Perry River Forest Service Road branching north from Highway 1
Remember there is a bait ban and all Rainbow Trout must be released
Contains: Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout and Whitefish in season Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye
Salmon River
Directions: good access along most of Highway 97 and Douglas Lake Road
Rainbow trout must be released downstream of the Highway 97 Bridge in Falkland
Contains: Burbot, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Whitefish. In season
Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, Kokanee, and Steelhead run
Scotch Creek
Directions: drains into Shuswap Lake near the western tip beside Shuswap Lake Provincial Park. upper reaches are accessed via Scotch Creek Forest Service Road off of Anglemont-Squilax Forest Service Road.
Mandatory catch and release of Rainbow Trout and there is an Indian reserve at the creek outlet as well as a bait ban
Contains: Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Burbot, Rainbow Trout, and Whitefish. In season there is Chinook, Coho, Kokanee, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon near the estuary
Seymour River
Helps feed Shuswap Lake and offers catch and release fishing below the Falls. Also has a bait ban.
Contains: Rainbow Trout, and Dolly Varden
Shuswap River - East
Directions: flows through Sugar Lake and Cherryville before cutting west to the shuswap falls and then drains into Mable Lake. has good access from a variety of roads and highways.
Contains: Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Whitefish and is home to 5 species of salmon including stocked Chinook
Shuswap
River - West
Directions: flows west out of Mable Lake and through Enderby Before Cutting North to Mara Lake
Contains: Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Whitefish as well as stocked Chinook that start to run in June followed in Sockeye in September and Coho and Chum that last until early November
Wap Creek
Directions: drops over Frog Falls then flows to Wap Lake into Mable Lake. There is good access along Wap Lake Forest Service Road
No fishing from September 1st to June 30th excluding Wap Lake anything upstream from Frog Falls is exempt from the spring closure
Recreation: there are rec sites at Frog Falls and at Wap Lake
Contains: Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Whitefish and seasonal runs of Sockeye, Chinook and Coho Salmon