Nicola Lake

Located near Merritt in the sunny Nicola Valley, Nicola Lake is a 22-kilometer-long interior waterway. Its high insect productivity and rich forage base produce hard-fighting rainbow trout and kokanee with excellent year-round access.

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

Nicola Lake at a glance

Region: Region 3 - Thompson-Nicola
Management unit: 3-13
Elevation: 625 m
Maximum depth: 68 m
Surface area: 2400 ha
Trout strain: Wild Kamloops Rainbow & Fraser Valley 3N
Typical size: General-regulation wild rainbow trout fishery; no confirmed trophy-scale size management
Stocking: Enhanced & Wild Natural Spawning
Boat launch: Paved Concrete Ramp
Motor rules: No Restriction
Ice fishing: Open, confirmed

When to fish it

Spring (April-June)
Fall (Sept-Nov)
Winter Ice Fishing

Getting there

Paved highway access right along Hwy 5A northeast of Merritt.

Coordinates: 50.2167, -120.5833

Regulations

Single barbless hook. Rainbow trout quota: 2. Check current synopsis for specific river mouth closures near Nicola River.

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

Camping and rec sites at Nicola Lake

Monck Provincial Park
120 vehicle-accessible campsites, double-wide concrete boat ramp, docks, sandy beach, playground & sani-station
Facilities: Concrete Boat Launch, Docks, Campground, Sandy Beach, Flush Toilets, Showers, Sani-Station, Playground
Access: Paved Monck Park Rd off Hwy 5A (2WD)
Coordinates: 50.222, -120.575 Official page

Local shops and lodges in the Thompson-Nicola

Tunkwa Lake Resort, Logan Lake / Tunkwa, BC
Lakeside cabins, boat rentals, woodstoves & waterfront launches
Tunkwa Lake Resort website

Other lakes nearby

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