Ice Fishing
Dylan Sherrard
Drop your hook in Kamloops, one of the best still-water and hard-water fishing destinations in the world. With dozens of lakes stocked annually by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, and a wide variety of species, fishing is a year-round affair. When winter settles into the Thompson Valley and the rushing waterways slow to an icy crawl, grab your lures and cast a line. Give ice fishing a try—you might just fall for this serene activity, hook line and sinker.
Top 6 ice fishing lakes in Kamloops
Edith Lake
Edith Lake is a local gem nestled in grassland hills just a 25-minute drive south of Kamloops on Highway 5A. This lake is stocked with Fraser Valley and Pennask rainbow trout that swim in deeper water, as well as eastern brook trout, which tend to feed in the shallows. Edith has a reputation for fast-growing fish due to the abundance of insects. Watch Fishing With Rod's feature on ice fishing at Edith Lake for more information.
Walloper Lake
Drop your hook and fish for well-stocked rainbow trout. Just a 30-minute drive south of Kamloops on Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway), Walloper Lake is a jewel-like waterway surrounded by lodgepole pines. The day-use only lake is a popular spot for first-time ice fishers.
Heffley Lake
This lake is tucked in the rolling, forested hills, and features scenic bays. Bird watchers should keep an eye out for eagles, Osprey, hawks and falcons. Heffley Lake is a 30-minute drive northeast of Kamloops on the way to Sun Peaks Resort. For a guided fishing trip, book a tour with Elevated Fishing Adventures.
Monte Lake
Monte Lake is surrounded by ponderosa pine forests and rolling grasslands. It's well-stocked annually with approximately 25,000 triploid kokanee salmon and 15,000 blackwater rainbow trout. Monte Lake is a 35-minute drive southeast of Kamloops on Highway 97.
Tunkwa Lake
Located 40km (28mi) west of Kamloops off Highway 1, Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park is a premier ice fishing destination for rainbow trout. If you don't have your own gear, purchase a rod, auger, and fresh bait from the store at Tunkwa Lake Resort.
Paul Lake
Set in the mountains 25km (15.5mi) north of Kamloops, Paul Lake Provincial Park is stocked annually with kokanee and rainbow trout. This popular ice fishing lake is surrounded by ponderosa pine forests. For expert insights on ice fishing at Paul Lake check out Fishing with Rod's Youtube Video.
Plan your Kamloops ice fishing trip
When you go fishing in the Kamloops area, expect to catch rainbow trout, eastern brook trout, kokanee, bull trout, and burbot. Many of the lakes are stocked with trout, which attracts anglers from around the world. Cast a line and you’ll be hooked.
