Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake fishing

Fishing near Cranbrook, Nelson and the rest of the Kootenays. See all Kootenays lakes.

Tucked into the Kootenays region at 780 m elevation, this is a medium lake (50 - 500 ha) reachable via the region's usual road and trail network. Tap through to the map for the exact route in.

Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake is a medium lake in the Kootenays, the trout country reached from Cranbrook. It covers 60.0 ha and runs to 15.5 m at its deepest point, sitting at 780 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 1.5 to 2.5 lbs and the stock is Gerrard & Westslope Cutthroat & Premier Rainbow Strains.

Open Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check

Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake at a glance

Region
Region 4 - Kootenays
Management unit
MU 4-1
Elevation
780 m
Maximum depth
15.5 m
Surface area
60.0 ha
Lake size
Medium Lake (50 - 500 ha)
Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout
Trout strain
Gerrard & Westslope Cutthroat & Premier Rainbow Strains
Typical size
1.5 to 2.5 lbs
Size class
Medium Action (1 - 2.5 lbs)
Stocking
Stocked / Natural Wild Production (FFSBC)
Boat launch
Gravel Boat Ramp
Motor rules
Gas & Electric Permitted
Ice fishing
Open to ice fishing, confirmed

How to fish Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Targeting Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Kootenays.

Chironomid pupae under indicator (#14-#18), micro-leeches, and traveling sedges along shoreline drop-offs.

Best times of year at Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Getting to Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Forestry road access in Kootenays (MU 4-1). Gravel Boat Ramp available.

Coordinates: 50.7867, -116.3872

Boat launch: Gravel Boat Ramp.

Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake fishing regulations

CW BIGHORN (Ram) CREEK

Standard Regional Regulations.

Always check the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go. Regulations change in season.

Ice fishing at Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake is open to ice fishing under the regulations on file.

Whether a lake is open to ice fishing says nothing about whether its ice will hold you. Ice conditions vary year to year and across a single lake. Check locally before going out, every time.

Camping and rec sites at Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Kootenays

Trout lakes near Big Fish (Dunbar) Lake

Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.