Thompson
Nicola Lakes
This picture was taken at Paska Lake
Badger
Lake: From the city of Kamloops, travel north on Hwy. #5 for 22.5
km (14 mi). Turn east (right) onto the Heffley-Louis Creek Road and travel
for 8 km (5 mi). Turn north (left) onto a secondary road which will take
you past Sullivan (Knouff Lake) and Little Knouff. Badger can be found
a few kilometers north of Little Knouff Lake. Badger can, and has
in the past, produced large Rainbows in the 10 lb class, however trout
up to 3-1/2 lbs are the norm these days.
Bare
Lake: Bare Lake is a fly-in lake located approximately 53 kms
(33 mi) northwest of Kamloops. Bare Lake offers a very good rainbow
fishery with trout in 1/2 lb to 2 lb range.
Beaverdam
Lake: Turn north (right) on Hwy #97 and travel through the community
of Clinton. Turn west (left) on a secondary road about 16 km (10 mi) past
Clinton. Follow this road to Beaverdam. Beaverdam is a shallow lake that
provides a good Rainbow and Brook trout fishery during spring and fall
months but it's ice fishing for Brookies up to 4 lbs that attracts most
of the attention of fishermen.
Big
Bar Lake: From Kamloops take the Trans Canada Hwy (Hwy #1) west
to the community of Cache Creek. Turn north (right) onto Hwy #97 and travel
through the community of Clinton and turn west (left) on Big Bar Lake
Road. Travel west until you arrive at the Big Bar Lake Provincial Park
campsite. Big Bar Lake has good rainbow fishery with trout reaching up
to 5 lbs.
Big
Ok Lake: Travel straight at the intersection of Hwy 97c passing by
the Highland Valley Copper mine and the Tailings pond. Turn left onto
the Laura Lake road at the intersection with Landon road. The pavement
ends here and from this point on the road passes through Highland Valley
Copper mine property. Managed as a quality lake Big Ok produces rainbows
3lbs and larger, by larger is meant that 8lbs and up is not unheard of
in this lake.
Bonaparte
Lake: Bonaparte is located approximately 65 km ( 40 miles) southwest
of l00 Mile House. Follow Hwy 24 to the Bridge Lake store, turn right
(south) on to a gravel road (stay left at the Y) which will take you to
Eagan lake. Just past Eagan, take the left road at the Y and follow it
to Bonaparte. Bonaparte is capable of producing rainbows in the l2lb range
with 3 to 4 lb trout being the norm. Small kokanee are also around.
Bulman
Lake: From the city of Kamloops take Hwy #5A south for
about 38 km (23.6 mi). Turn east (left) onto the Roche Lake Road and travel
11 km (6.8 mi) to Roche Lake. Bulman is located a few kms southeast of
Roche Lake. Managed as quality water, Bulman is a wonderful lake
that often produces rainbows in the 4-1/2 lb range.
Calling
Lake: Travel straight at the intersection of Hwy 97c passing by the
Highland Valley Copper mine and the Tailings pond. Turn left onto the
Laura Lake road at the intersection with Landon road. The pavement ends
here and from this point on the road passes through Highland Valley Copper
mine property. Calling Lake can produce rainbows to 3 lbs and larger.
Chataway
Lake: From Merritt head west to the village of Lower Nicola.
Chataway is located north of Lower Nicola and is accessed via several
well marked gravel roads. Rainbows in Chataway Lake will range from very
small to 5 lbs.
Community
Lake: Turn east (right) onto the Heffley-Louis Creek Road. Turn north
(left) onto a secondary road. A few kilometers before reaching Sullivan
Lake, you will find another road that branches to the east (right). Follow
this road to Community Lake. Community is managed as a quality lake
and is a good producer of Rainbows to 3 lbs.
Corbett
Lake: Corbett is located on the left hand side of hwy 5A to Princeton
approximately 18.4 kms (11.4 mi) southeast from the centre of Merrit.
Corbett is a consistent producer of rainbows in the 1 lb range with some
going to 3 lbs or larger.
Dairy
Lake: The Dairy Lake area can be accessed by turning south (left)
off Hwy #1, 8 km (5 mi) west of Hwy #5 and Hwy #1 interchange, onto the
Greenstone Mountain Road. Stocked with Rainbows annually, these trout
will often reach 3 lbs or larger. Because of its elevation, Dairy Lake
fishes well throughout the summer months.
Dunn
Lake: This long, deep lake can be found via the Dunn Lake Road just
east of Little Fort. The scenic lake offers fishing opportunities for
rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout and the odd Kokanee.
Fatox
Lake: From Kamloops travel west on Hwy. #1 (Trans Canada Hwy.). Travel
past the community of Savona. You will cross two rivers. The first river
you will cross is the Thompson River. The second is a small river called
the Deadman River. After you cross the Deadman River, you will start climbing
a hill, near the top of the hill turn north (right) off Hwy. #1 onto a
secondary road (Deadman Creek Road) which will take you to several lakes
including Fatox. Fatox is reported to be a good producer of Rainbows
that reach into the 3 lb.
Gorman
Lake: Located 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of the community of Barriere.
Gorman Lake consistently has good rainbow fishery throughout the season.
Trout will reach an average size of 2 lbs.
Hallamore
Lake: Located northeast of Little Fort and southeast of Clearwater
on the Dunn Lake Road, Hallamore produces a good number of rainbow trout
and offers the opportunity to explore many excellent fishing lakes in
the surrounding area.
Heffley
Lake: Located 44 km. (27 miles) northeast of the city of Kamloops.
From Kamloops travel north on Hwy #5 (Yellowhead Hwy.) for 14 miles. Turn
off at the Sun Peaks Ski Resort exit and stay on this road (Heffley Louis
Creek Road) for 13 miles.
Helmer
Lake: From the city of Kamloops travel west on Hwy. #1 (Trans Canada
Hwy.) for 11.4 km (7.1 mi). Turn south onto the Coquihalla Hwy (Hwy #5).
Take the Helmer exit off Hwy #5 and turn west (right) and travel a short
distance to the lake. Action at Helmer Lake can be fast and furious for
small Rainbows up to 1 lb.
HiHium
Lake: From Kamloops take the Trans Canada (hwy #1) west for 75 kms.
(46.5 miles) to the community of Cache Creek. Turn north (right) onto
hwy. 97 and travel 32 kms. (19.8 miles) to 20 Mile House and turn east
(right) onto Loon Creek road. Drive approx 39 kms, passing along Loon
Lake and on to the junction of the 3400 Road. Turn right onto the 3400
Rd and travel south east for approx 22 km (13.6 miles). Watch for signs
to access the HiHium Lake South Recreation site. Turn right at the access
road. Follow this road for 2 kms. (1.2 miles) to the recreation site at
the southeast end of HiHium Lake.
Hyas
Lake: From Kamloops travel north on Hwy #5 (Yellowhead Hwy) for 5
km (3.1 mi). Turn east (right) onto the Paul Lake Road. Stay on this road
until you reach a secondary road just past Pinantan Lake. Turn north (left)
and travel to Hyas Lake. In its earlier days, fishing at Hyas was superb.
Large Rainbows up to 16 lbs. were caught. Today, these huge fish are gone,
however Hyas still supports a good Rainbow fishery with trout going up
to 3-1/2 lbs and the occassional one up to 5 lbs.
Jacko
Lake: From Kamloops head west on the Trans Canada hwy (hwy #1) for
11.4 km (7.1 mi). Immediately after leaving Kamloops turn south (left)
onto the Lac le Jeune road. Stay on this road until you reach Jacko Lake
turn off. Jacko was once legendary for huge fish, it now produces catches
of rainbow up to 4 lbs.
Janice
Lake: At Little Fort, turn west on hwy 24 and drive 22.5 km (13.9
mi). Turn left into the Long Island (Janice) Lake forest service recreation
site road and travel 500 m (1640 ft) into the campsite. Janice is a very
good fly fishing lake with rainbows in the 3 lb range and some going much
larger.
Kamloops
Lake: This beautiful
lake is right along the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy # 1), approximately
halfway between the city of Kamloops and the community of Cache Creek.
Access to the lake is available from Savona and other points along the
miles of lakeshore.
Kelly
Lake: From Clinton turn left (west) on the Kelly Lake Road. Kelly
is situated in Downing Provincial Park.(about 10 km/6 mi southwest of
Clinton). Rainbow Trout are the Game Fish in Kelly Lake.
Lac
Des Roches: Lac Des Roches is accessible by taking the Yellowhead
Hwy north from Kamloops and then turning left (west) onto Hwy 24 at Little
Fort. Trolling for rainbows up to 7 lbs seems to be the preferred method
on Lac Des Roche.
Lac
Le Jeune: Turn onto the Coquihalla Highway (hwy #5). Take exit 336
off hwy 5 and drive northeast a short distance on the Lac le Jeune road.
Turn right at the Lac le Jeune sign post and follow either to the provincial
park or to the resort area. Approximately 35 km (22 mi) from Kamloops.
Lac le Jeune is a very popular family lake offering a good rainbow fishery,
up to 3 lbs.
Latremouille
Lake: At Little Fort turn west (left) onto Hwy #24. Follow Hwy #24
for about 20 km (12.5 mi). Watch for the Latremouille Lake turn-off which
is located south (left) off Hwy #24. Good, consistent fishing for
Rainbows up to 2-1/2 lbs at Latremouille Lake.
Little
Heffley Lake: From the city of Kamloops travel north on Hwy #5 (Yellowhead
Hwy) for 22.5 km (14 mi). Turn east (right) onto the Heffley-Louis Creek
Road. Little Heffley Lake has good Rainbow fishery producing consistent
fishing for Rainbows up to 2-1/2 lbs.
Loon
Lake: From Kamloops take the Trans Canada (hwy #1) west to the community
of Cache Creek. Turn north (right) onto Hwy 97 and travel 32 km (19.8
mi) to 20 Mile House and drive 17 km(10.5 mi) to the southwest end of
Loon Lake. Loon Lake provides excellent rainbow fishery up to 1.5 kg.
Machete
Lake: At 93 Mile, turn east off Hwy 97 on to Hwy 24. Follow Hwy 24
past the turn off to the Bridge Lake Store. Continue east for another
4.5 km (2.8 mi) and turn right (south). Continue on this road for 18.6
km (11.5 mi) to the lake. Machete Lake has rainbows in the 2 lb range.
McConnell
Lake: From Kamloops travel west onto the Trans Canada (hwy#1) for
11.4 km (7.1 mi). Turn south on the Coquihalla hwy (hwy #5). Take exit
336 off of Hwy 5 and drive northeast on the Lac le Jeune road for 9.6
km (6 mi). Turn right to McConnell Lake boat launch.
McGillivray
Lake: From Kamloops travel north on Hwy #5 (Yellowhead Hwy) for 22.5
km (14 mi). Turn east (right) onto the Heffley-Louis Creek Road. Follow
this road past Heffley Lake and east to McGillivray. McGillivray
provides a good Rainbow fishery for trout up to 3 lbs.
Meadow
Lake: At Little Fort turn west (left) onto Hwy #24. Access to Meadow
is via TaWeel Lake Road off Hwy #24. Meadow Lake has fair to good fishing
for Rainbows up to 4-1/2 lbs.
Monticola
Lake: At Little Fort turn west (left) onto Hwy #24. Stay on
Hwy #24 until you get to TaWeel Road. Turn north (right) onto TaWeel Road
and drive north until you get to Blowdown Road. Turn west (left) on Blowdown
Road and drive to Monticola Lake. Monticola Lake is a rainbow stocked
lake with an abundance of insect and shrimp life offering fair catches
of trout up to the 2 lb range.
Nicola
Lake: Located 10 km (6.2 mi) northeast of the town of Merritt via
Hwy #5A. Access from the city of Kamloops is also via Hwy #5A. Nicola
supports a fair Rainbow and Kokanee fishery throughout the season. Rainbows
go to 4 lbs while Kokanee remain in the 1 lb class.
Niskonlith
Lake: Cross over the South Thompson River via bridge at Chase and
travel west for about 11 km (7 mi) on a secondary road following the river.
Turn right and follow this branch road to Niskonlith Lake. Niskonlith
provides a good fishery for Rainbows in the 1-2 lb range and Kokanee in
the 1 lb class.
Paska
Lake: From the Coquihalla (hwy #5). Take exit 336 and turn west (right)
on the Lac la Jeune road heading south to Surrey lake, you will come to
the Paska lake road. Rainbow trout are the game fish in Paska Lake.
Pass
Lake: From North Kamloops take the Lac du Bois Road to Pass Lake.
Managed as a quality, fly-only lake, Pass provides patient fly fishermen
with a fine Rainbow fishery that produces trout up to 6 lbs and larger.
Paul
Lake: From the city of Kamloops travel north on Hwy #5 (Yellowhead
Hwy) for 5 km (3.1 mi). Turn east (right) and travel on Paul Lake Road
to Paul Lake. Paul has in the past been one of the truly fabulous
fishing destinations. Today, even though it receives heavy use, Paul remains
a very good lake. Rainbows go to an average of 3-1/2 lbs.
Peterhope
Lake: From the city of Kamloops travel south on Hwy #5A. The turn-off
to Peterhope is found just past the south end of Stump Lake. Turn east
(left) on this secondary road and follow it a few km to the lake. Peterhope
is on the rebound and things are starting to look bright again. Managed
as a quality water, fish up to 12 lbs are being caught by experienced
fishermen, however trout in the 5 lb range are the norm.
Pimainus
Lake: Travel straight at the intersection of Hwy 97c passing by the
Highland Valley Copper mine and the Tailings pond. Turn left onto the
Laura Lake road at the intersection with Landon road. The pavement ends
here and from this point on the road passes through Highland Valley Copper
mine property. A left turn will lead you to Pimainus Lake. Pimainus lake
contains large numbers of wild rainbows in the 1 to 2 lb range.
Pinantan
Lake: Turn off to the east (right) onto the Paul Lake road. Stay on
the Paul Lake road until reaching the Pinantan Lake road and turn left
onto the Pinantan Lake road. Pinantan is an excellent family lake
producing well throughout the season. Rainbows in the 1 lb range.
Plateau
Lake: From the city of Kamloops, travel south on Hwy #5A until you
reach Stump Lake. Access to Plateau is from the north end of Stump. Plateau
Lake is located to the southeast of Stump. Plateau is capable of producing
large Rainbows up to 10 lbs, but trout in the 3-4 lb range are more the
norm.
Roche
Lake: From the city of Kamloops take Hwy. #5A south for about 38 km
(23.6 mi). Turn east (left) onto the Roche Lake Road and travel 22 km
(6.8 mi) to the lake. Roche is a consistent producer of rainbows
in the 2-4 lb range. Larger trout up to 12 lbs have been caught in this
lake.
Rose
Lake: From the city of Kamloops travel south on Hwy #5A for about
38 km (23.6 mi). Turn east (left) onto the Roche Lake Road. Rose is found
roadside on the way to Roche. Rose is a small lake however it provides
fishermen with a good Brook trout fishery.
Sharpe
Lake: Follow Hwy 24 to the Bridge Lake Store, turn right (south) onto
a gravel road and stay on the left branch of the fork. Follow this road
until you reach Eagan Lake at which time you take the right branch of
the fork. Sharpe is found on your south (left) side. The Game Fish in
Sharpe Lake are rainbow trout.
Shuswap
Lake: Shuswap Lake, "The Houseboat Capital of Canada" is
a mecca for swimmers, waterskiers, fishermen, nature lovers and boaters
alike with it's 1000 km (620 miles) of beautiful shoreline, sandy beaches
and marine parks.
Stake
Lake: From Kamloops travel west on the Trans Canada Hwy #1 for 11.4
km (7.1 mi). Turn south on the Coquihalla Hwy #5 Take exit 336 off of
Hwy 5 and drive northeast on the Lac le Jeune road. A very popular lake,
Stake is rainbow stocked and is considered a very good fly fishing lake
with a good sedge hatch. These rainbows go to 2 lbs.
Stump
Lake: From the city of Kamloops take Hwy #5A south and travel for
40 km (24.8 mi) to Stump Lake. Stump Lake was once famous for its huge
trout of 15 lbs or better, this moody lake still produces large fish in
the 6 lb range.
Sullivan
(Knouff) Lake: Turn east (right) onto the Heffley-Louis Creek Road
and travel for 8 km (5 mi). Turn north (left) onto a secondary road which
will take you to Sullivan (Knouff) Lake south of Badger. Knouff provides
a good fishery for Rainbows up into the 3 lb class, however fish have
been caught in the 12+ lb range.
TaWeel
Lake: At Little Fort turn west (left) onto Hwy #24. Follow Hwy #24
to Lemieux Creek Road. Turn right onto Lemieux Creek Road, following it
all the way to the southeast end of TaWeel. Quality fishing for rainbows
up to 4 lbs and larger makes TaWeel a definite stopover.
Thuya
Lakes Area: At Little Fort turn west (left) on Hwy 24 and drive for
about 15 km(9.3 mi). Thuya Lake access road is found on the south (left)
side of Hwy 24. Thuya Lake has excellent rainbow fishery that produces
well right through the fishing season. Fast action for rainbows that range
from small up to the 6 lb class.
Tunkwa
Lake: At Logan Lake, watch for the turn off to Tunkwa and Leighton
Lakes on your right hand side. Tunkwa Provincial Park is found 14.5 km
(9 mi) north of Logan lake. Tunkwa produces good catches of rainbows up
to 4 lbs and better.
Tyner
Lake: From Merritt head west to the village of Lower Nicola. Tyner
is located north of Lower Nicola following the road leading to Pimainus
Lake. Tyner Lake provides a good fishery for Rainbows up to 3+ lbs.
Walloper
Lake: From Kamloops travel west on the Trans Canada Hwy #1 for 11.4
km (7.1 mi). Turn south onto the Coquihalla Hwy #5. Take exit 336 off
Hwy 5 and drive northeast a very short distance 1 km (.6 mi). Turn south
(right) and follow this road to the boat launch. Walloper Lake is a great
family lake offering a large abundence of trout that average in the 1
lb range with the odd one reaching 4 lbs.
Warren
Lake: Warren Lake is approximately 1 km (.6 mi) west of Pemberton
Lake. Warren provides the fly fisherman an excellent Rainbow fishery with
trout reaching into the 5 lb class.
White
Lake: White Lake has crystal clear water, large areas of marl shoals
and Rainbow Trout known to exceed ten pounds. The combination of those
attributes will often inspire a fly fisher to dreams. Dreams of fishing
that ideal lake thought to only exist in mythology. White isn't that perfect
lake but it comes pretty close and is an excellent choice for a weekend
of fly-fishing.
Young
Lake: At 70 Mile House turn east onto the Green Lake road. Continue
for 26 km. (l6 miles) following the south road. Turn right and continue
for about 9 km. (5.6 miles). Stay on the right fork about 1.3 km. (.8
miles) after the last turn. Continue for about l km. (.6 miles) and take
the left fork marked as Young Lake Road East. Continue for 4.l km. (2.5
miles) and make a right turn on to a " no through road ". The
north side of the lake near the mid point is about 1/2 km. (.3 miles)
beyond the last turn. Rainbows up to 4 lbs. can be caught in Young Lake.
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