Fishing

Kootenay Lake used to be a fisherman's paradise.  Then Duncan Dam was built and the fertilizer plant shut down, and those two events caused a drastic drop in nutrient levels – no more fish. 

But that was years ago!

An extensive lake fertilization program (read about it at the ferry) has brought back the fish populations to levels that are making a lot of local fishermen happy. 

Word is getting out that Kootenay Lake is BACK.

Hook an 11-pound rainbow, or five or six Kokanee, or one of our world-famous Gerrard Trout.

For specific, indispensable local tips, go in and talk to Randy at the Gill & Gift at the ferry.  He's also got all the reels, bait, and licenses you'll need.  He can also tell you about fishing charters.  And about the one that got away.

Basic information about fishing on Kootenay Lake

October 1, 2006 Fishing Report from Reel Adventures Fishing Charters:

Believe it or not, there have been some big fish coming in already.  As a matter of fact, one of the boys from my dock brought in a rainbow trout weighing in at 28 pounds last week.  He caught this monster by accident while fishing for dollies down 100 feet on a plug.  What a nice surprise! (Congratulations, George!)  Also some rainbows are being caught on the surface.  A nice 21 pound "bow" came in yesterday on a bucktail fly.

The water temperature is still hanging around 60 degrees.  This is usually a little bit warm for the fish to be feeding heavily.  However, with the weather changing and temperatures dropping, fishing should only get better and better.

Trolling with bucktail flies on the surface will start producing more and more big rainbows.  Also, using plugs on the surface and down to 100 feet is producing some nice rainbows and dollies.

DERBY, DERBY, DERBY!

It's fishing derby time again.  Here's the schedule for the upcoming derbys:

          Woodbury Rainbow Derby            Oct 7, 8, 9
          Nelson City Police Derby               Oct 14, 15
          Kaslo Bay Resort Derby                Nov 11, 12, 13