BC Fishing Lakes
Favorite Float Tube Fishing LakesThe Ultimate BC Fly Fishing Experience!Find the Fun while float tube fishing (or pontoon boat) at some of our favorite BC fishing lakes on your next fly fishing vacation.Fly or spin fish from your 'easy chair on water'. When weather conditions are acceptable, fishing from my float tube is my favorite way to spend a day on some of the smaller but productive BC fishing lakes.
Here are some important factors when considering your belly boating fishing trip. It pays to be prepared when looking for float-tube fishing locations.Please make sure to check the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations before you head out to any lake, stream or river. 1. Prospects - I first decide whether I want lots of fish or big fish. The two are occasionally synonomous however I have learned not to stretch my expectations. I'd rather be surprised. 2. Access to the lake body - we are looking for a smooth, tapering launch. No sense in slogging through mud, rocks and sticks that result in getting stuck in the mud with your fins or damaging your waders or tube.Another consideration is access to the shore from different parts of the lake. Looking after 'personal business' requires getting to a landing quickly and peeling down the waders. When the water is cold, this event can spring up on you quickly. 3. Access to Prime Locations on the lake - the smaller the lake the better. Float tubes are not known for their speed (pontoon boats are quicker) so you want to get to the prime fishing spots (shoals, drop-offs, weed beds) as soon as possible. 4. Susceptibility to Wind - Wind is the single most annoying factor while float tubing fishing. It is important to me to be able to find some shelter from whatever direction the wind is blowing. Look for odd shaped lakes with sheltered bays. 5. Vehicle Access to the Lake - paved, gravel or 4x4. The nice thing about a float tube is that it can be easily deflated enough to fit in a car, car trunk or other two-wheel drive vehicle. Many of the lakes in the Interior are quite accessible by 2 wheel drive vehicles. On the other hand, there are no shortage of 4x4 or hike in lakes that are willing to reward the adventurous.
Approximately 15 km SW Kamloops on the old Logan Lake Highway.40 ha - Easily accessed by paved highway and a short 2km stretch of gravel road this lake offers a quick getaway from the city. Annually stocked with rainbow trout, Jacko gets a lot of pressure and is often moody but it is a consistent producer of 3lb+ fish, especially in the spring and fall. There is no overnight camping. Please respect the no trespassing areas.Regular fishing guidelines are in effect regarding gear and equipment. The lake is closed to ice fishing. 
Accessed via the Coquihalla Connector (Hwy 97C) between Merritt and Peachland between Pennask and Hatheume Lakes. Take the Sunset Rd turnoff and follow the signs on this gravel road to Hatheume Lake. Use caution as this road is usually an active logging road.Pinnacle is a 12 ha - high elevation lake and offers consistent fishing for medium rainbow all through the season. There is lots of cover from winds in the 3 bays that are located in the 3 corners of the lake. -2 fish limit, bait ban - NO ICE FISHING -There is a BC Forestry campsite offers rough camping and there is easy access to nearby Hatheume Lake if you are looking for trophy sized fish. 
Red Lake is about 50 km north-west of Kamloops and you can access it from either through Kamloops / Tranquille Valley or from the west end of Kamloops Lake off the Sabiston Lake Road. Although Red Lake is a long narrow lake, the south end is easily accessible in a pontoon or belly boat. There are a large number of brookies at this end and easy access from the road. The odd rainbow can also be caught. Work the shoal just out from the boat launch, the weed beds up the left side past the small island, in and around the small island and the south shore along the road and in front of the residences. There are no special regulations for Red Lake other than a 10hp motor restriction. Red Lake is also known for it's ice fishing. 
This jewel or a lake is significantly tougher to get into and a 4x4 is recommended. Accessed from the Bleeker Lake Road in the Roche Lake area, the last 2km are through a de-activated forestry road.Hosli has beautifully tapered shoals at the north, south and north-west ends. A large underwater island / shoal located near the center-east side drops off quickly. This shoal is known for its prolific sedge hatches in June and early July.- rainbows to 3.5kg (8lbs) on the fly 
Best accessed from Penticton via Carmi Road and then the Okanagan Falls FSR (forestry service road), Idleback is easy to reach. This high elevation (1430m - 4692ft) lake is approximately 14ha (35ac) in size. Complete with a well developed forestry campground, Idleback is a "single barbless hook" lake with electric motors only. See BC Fishing Regulations for Region 8. 
Batstone Lake is located on the 7 Half Diamond Ranch approximately 50 km south of Merritt on the old Merritt-Princeton highway. This private fishery provides quality fly fishing for rainbows that average 3 to 7 pounds. Plenty of dark shoals and weed beds are a haven for large rainbow trout seeking their favorite food. Long leader chironomid fishing is also a favorite. There are 2 cabins and boats to rent as well as other activities provided by the Ranch. click here for more information on Batstone Lake. Accessed from 150 Mile House on the Horsefly Lake Rd, Dugan Lake offers both eastern brook and rainbow trout. Fish average 35-40cm (14"-16") but can grow much larger. Spring and fall fishing are best as the lake experiences summer doldrums due to hot weather. Try working the many bays along the north and east sides of the lake. -There is a forestry campsite with a number of pads but is generally full throughout the open water season. Ice fishing is also popular. Located just east of Lone Butte on Hwy 24, Irish Lake has been a steady producer for a number of years. Access has improved as there is now a forestry campsite on the south side of the lake. You may need at least a truck to get into it especially in the spring or if the weather has been wet. -Flyfishing, spincasting or trolling are all productive. -Electric motors only (if you must use a boat!) |
