St. Mary Lake fishing

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

Dramatic mountain lake surrounded by Purcell peaks, holding wild cutthroat and aggressive rainbows.

St. Mary Lake is a medium lake in the Kootenays, the trout country reached from Cranbrook. It covers 98.8 ha and runs to 32 m at its deepest point, sitting at 960 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 2 to 5 lbs and the stock is Westlope Cutthroat & Rainbow Trout.

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

St. Mary Lake at a glance

Region
Region 4 - Kootenays
Management unit
MU 4-20
Elevation
960 m
Maximum depth
32 m
Surface area
98.8 ha
Lake size
Medium Lake (50 - 500 ha)
Trout strain
Westlope Cutthroat & Rainbow Trout
Typical size
2 to 5 lbs (Quality Trout)
Size class
Large Quality (2 - 5 lbs)
Stocking
Wild & hatchery enhanced
Boat launch
Cartop / Small Boat Launch
Motor rules
Gas & Electric Motors Permitted
Ice fishing
Open to ice fishing, confirmed

How to fish St. Mary Lake

High quality, hard-fighting larger trout.

Casting spinners, fly fishing dry flies (stimulators, caddis), trolling spoons along rocky shorelines.

Best times of year at St. Mary Lake

Getting to St. Mary Lake

St. Mary Lake Road west of Kimberley. Public boat launch and recreation site.

Coordinates: 49.6106, -116.1961

Boat launch: Cartop / Small Boat Launch.

St. Mary Lake fishing regulations

Single barbless hook, bait ban. Check synopsis for daily quotas.

General Regional Regulations.

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

Ice fishing at St. Mary Lake

St. Mary 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 St. Mary Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Kootenays

Trout lakes near St. Mary Lake

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