Okanagan Lake fishing
Fishing near Kelowna, Vernon and the rest of the Okanagan. See all Okanagan lakes.
Okanagan Lake is a large water (> 500 ha) in the Okanagan region, sitting at 950 m elevation, with access typical of the region. The map view has precise coordinates and driving directions.
Okanagan Lake is a large water in the Okanagan, the trout country reached from Kelowna. It covers 35112.0 ha and runs to 232.0 m at its deepest point, sitting at 950 m of elevation. Fish here typically run A genuine big-fish, lower-density lake -- old wild rainbows and lake trout run large, with a historic ~39 lb rainbow on record; not every fish is a giant, but the ceiling here is real and the stock is Wild and historically-stocked Okanagan rainbow trout; also holds lake trout and kokanee. This is a catch and release fishery.
Open Okanagan Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check
Okanagan Lake at a glance
- Region
- Region 8 - Okanagan
- Management unit
- MU 8-22
- Elevation
- 950 m
- Maximum depth
- 232.0 m
- Surface area
- 35112.0 ha
- Lake size
- Large Water (> 500 ha)
- Trout strain
- Wild and historically-stocked Okanagan rainbow trout; also holds lake trout and kokanee
- Typical size
- A genuine big-fish, lower-density lake -- old wild rainbows and lake trout run large, with a historic ~39 lb rainbow on record; not every fish is a giant, but the ceiling here is real
- Size class
- Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs)
- Stocking
- Stocked / Wild Fishery (FFSBC)
- Boat launch
- Cartop / Small Boat Launch
- Motor rules
- Gas & Electric Motors Permitted
- Catch and release
- Yes
- Ice fishing
- Open to ice fishing, confirmed
How to fish Okanagan Lake
BC's largest Okanagan-region lake -- a lower-density, big-fish fishery for old wild rainbows and lake trout, not a hatchery numbers program..
Fly fishing with chironomids, leeches, and sedges; casting small spinners and spoons.
Best times of year at Okanagan Lake
- May - June
- September - October
Getting to Okanagan Lake
This lake offers a cartop / small boat launch. Tap through to the map for coordinates and the route in.
Coordinates: 49.9206, -119.4997
Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.
Okanagan Lake fishing regulations
Single barbless hook. Standard regional regulations apply (check synopsis).
Wild Trophy Water (No Special Regulation Required).
Always check the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go. Regulations change in season.
Ice fishing at Okanagan Lake
Okanagan 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 Okanagan Lake
- Cook Road Public Boat Launch (Kelowna)
No vehicle campground at the launch; multiple provincial parks and resorts ring the lake
Facilities: Public Boat Launch, Paid Parking, Vehicle/Trailer Parking
Access: Paved, 500 Cook Road, Kelowna (2WD), beside the Hotel Eldorado
Coordinates: 49.845252, -119.489282 Official page
Local shops and lodges in the Okanagan
- Trout Waters Fly & Tackle, Kelowna, BC
Okanagan stillwater chironomids, fly rods & lake seminars
Trout Waters Fly & Tackle website - Beaver Lake Mountain Resort, Lake Country / Winfield, BC
Historic fly fishing cabins, rowboats & 1,300m elevation trout
Beaver Lake Mountain Resort website
Trout lakes near Okanagan Lake
- Rose Valley Reservoir 5 km away
- Shannon Lake 11 km away
- Ellison Lake 11 km away
- Frazer Lake 14 km away
- Lambly (Bear) Lake 15 km away
- Lambly Lake 15 km away
- E 6-2 Eutsuk Lake 17 km away
- Wood Lake 20 km away
- Chute Lake 25 km away
Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.