Kootenay Lake fishing

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

Historically home to the world's largest wild rainbow trout, with a 35.5 lb lake record from 1976. That fishery has since declined: the Gerrard rainbow population grew large enough to outstrip its kokanee forage, shrinking average size toward what's typical of ordinary BC lakes. An angler incentive program now pays anglers to harvest rainbow and bull trout to help the kokanee population recover. Bull trout remain a genuine trophy draw here, reported to 20 lbs.

Kootenay Lake is a large water in the Kootenays, the trout country reached from Cranbrook. It covers 40700.0 ha and runs to 150 m at its deepest point, sitting at 530 m of elevation. Fish here typically run Bull trout run up to 20 lbs, the real trophy draw; rainbow trout are near typical BC-lake size today and the stock is Gerrard Rainbow Trout. This is a catch and release fishery.

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

Kootenay Lake at a glance

Region
Region 4 - Kootenays
Management unit
MU 4-5
Elevation
530 m
Maximum depth
150 m
Surface area
40700.0 ha
Lake size
Large Water (> 500 ha)
Trout strain
Gerrard Rainbow Trout (the strain that historically produced the world's largest wild rainbows, to 20-30 lbs)
Typical size
Bull trout run up to 20 lbs, the real trophy draw; rainbow trout are near typical BC-lake size today (historic Gerrard rainbows ran 6-20+ lbs, with a record 35.5 lbs in 1976).
Size class
Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs)
Stocking
Wild natural reproduction (Lardeau River / Gerrard)
Boat launch
Cartop / Small Boat Launch
Motor rules
Gas & Electric Motors Permitted
Catch and release
Yes
Ice fishing
No ice fishing closure on file

How to fish Kootenay Lake

Historic Gerrard rainbow water now in ecological recovery; bull trout are the more reliable trophy target today..

High-speed surface trolling bucktail flies (size 2/0-4) at 2.5-3.5 knots, Lyman wooden plugs, planer boards.

Best times of year at Kootenay Lake

Getting to Kootenay Lake

Multiple public marinas (Balfour, Kaslo, Nelson, Crawford Bay). Public ramps throughout.

Coordinates: 49.7122, -116.8833

Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.

Kootenay Lake fishing regulations

Single barbless hook, special classified waters license for sections, strict quotas.

Special Trophy Water (Strict Size/Quota/C&R Rules).

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

Ice fishing at Kootenay Lake

No ice fishing closure is recorded for Kootenay Lake, so the general regional regulations apply.

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 Kootenay Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Kootenays

Trout lakes near Kootenay Lake

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