Erie Lake fishing

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

Tucked into the Kootenays region at 1402 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.

Erie Lake is a medium lake in the Kootenays, the trout country reached from Cranbrook. It covers 162.4 ha and runs to 50.4 m at its deepest point, sitting at 1402 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 1.5 to 2.5 lbs and the stock is Gerrard & Westslope Cutthroat & Premier Rainbow Strains.

Open Erie Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check

Erie Lake at a glance

Region
Region 4 - Kootenays
Management unit
MU 4-20
Elevation
1402 m
Maximum depth
50.4 m
Surface area
162.4 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 (Quality Catchable)
Size class
Medium Trout (1.5 - 2.5 lbs)
Stocking
Stocked / Natural Wild Production (FFSBC)
Boat launch
Cartop / Small Boat Launch
Motor rules
Electric Motors Only (Max 7.5 kW / No Gas)
Ice fishing
Open to ice fishing, confirmed

How to fish Erie Lake

Targeting Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs) Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Kootenays.

Productive stillwater fishery. Early spring chironomid emergences (sizes #14-#18) in 12-18ft depths, followed by traveling sedge and damsel nymphs along weedlines in June. Fall leeches and scuds produce aggressive takes.

Best times of year at Erie Lake

Getting to Erie Lake

Access via regional highway and maintained forestry road in Kootenays (MU 4-20). Cartop / Small Boat Launch available.

Coordinates: 49.1886, -117.3442

Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.

Erie Lake fishing regulations

FINDLAY CREEK No Ice Fishing; trout/char daily quota = 1 in the aggregate from both lakes (none under 50 cm); bait ban, single barbless hook 4-2 Electric motor only - max 7.5 kW Bait ban, June 15-Oct 31 Trout/char catch and release June 15-Oct 31: from Lower Elk Lake to Forsyth Cr, from Line Creek Bridge to CPR Bridge at Sparwood, from Hwy 3 bridge at Hosmer to the northern Hwy 3 bridge at Fernie, and from the bridge at Morrissey to Elko Dam All other parts: trout/char daily quota = 1 (none under 30 cm), June 15-Oct 31

Standard Regional Regulations.

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

Ice fishing at Erie Lake

Erie 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 Erie Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Kootenays

Trout lakes near Erie Lake

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