Whatshan Lake fishing

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

Whatshan Lake is a scenic high-valley reservoir nestled in the Monashee Mountains west of Lower Arrow Lake. It offers excellent trophy rainbow trout fishing without the heavy boat traffic of the larger Columbia valley waters.

Whatshan Lake is a big water in the Kootenays, the trout country reached from Cranbrook. It covers 1700 ha and runs to 110 m at its deepest point, sitting at 640 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 3 to 8+ lbs rainbow trout; bull trout also present under size-protective regulation and the stock is Gerrard-origin Rainbow Trout, plus Bull Trout under a confirmed 60cm+ minimum retention size.

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

Whatshan Lake at a glance

Region
Region 4 - Kootenays
Management unit
4-15
Elevation
640 m
Maximum depth
110 m
Surface area
1700 ha
Lake size
Big Water (>500ha)
Species
Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Bull Trout
Trout strain
Gerrard-origin Rainbow Trout, plus Bull Trout under a confirmed 60cm+ minimum retention size
Typical size
3 to 8+ lbs rainbow trout; bull trout also present under size-protective regulation
Size class
Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs)
Stocking
Enhanced & Wild Population
Boat launch
Gravel Boat Ramp
Motor rules
No Restriction
Ice fishing
Open to ice fishing, confirmed

How to fish Whatshan Lake

Quiet Monashee reservoir offering good rainbow trout fishing, with bull trout protected by a confirmed minimum retention size..

Troll spoons (Croc, Williams), small plugs, and bucktail flies 15-40 ft deep. In spring, cast weighted leeches and chironomids in the shallower bays.

Best times of year at Whatshan Lake

Getting to Whatshan Lake

Gravel road access via Whatshan Lake Road north of Needles / Edgewood.

Coordinates: 49.8833, -118.0667

Boat launch: Gravel Boat Ramp.

Whatshan Lake fishing regulations

Single barbless hook. Rainbow trout quota: 2. Check current Kootenay Region synopsis.

Quality Trophy Reservoir.

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

Ice fishing at Whatshan Lake

Whatshan 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 Whatshan Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Kootenays

Trout lakes near Whatshan Lake

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