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Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Five Spots to Ice Fish and Camp this Winter in British Columbia

Ice-fishing is often overlooked as a winter activity, especially if you live in southern B.C. But fishing doesn’t stop when the temperatures drop – it only gets more exciting. Ice-fishing is a very social activity that requires only a limited amount of gear or experience. When solidly frozen, an entire lake becomes accessible without the need of a boat, and you don’t need the often-complicated casting techniques required in other fisheries. It’s as simple as drilling a hole, and dropping a line.

Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

It is important to exercise caution, however. Always make sure the ice is thick enough to ensure a safe trip. Before you walk out onto ice, it needs to be at least 10 centimetres (four inches) thick if you are fishing alone, and at least 38 centimetres (15 inches) thick before you drive your truck onto it. Remember that a freshwater fishing licence is still required for ice-fishing, and that you should check the regulations for any closures or restrictions.

With these points in mind, along with some basic gear, you can be set for some fun times on the ice this winter. And the good news is, with many parks open year ’round that are close to great hardwater lakes, you can make a wintertime camping trip out of it.

Here are our top five spots, with recreational vehicle or camping spots close by, to try ice-fishing this winter:

Alleyne Lake (near Merritt)

Stocked kokanee provide an exciting winter fishery in this lake. The trick is finding schools of fish. Using a fishfinder is your best bet, but if you don’t have one, start at the bottom and work your way up through the water column until you find a school.

Note: The neighbouring lake, Kentucky SE Pothole, located 50 metres east of Kentucky Lake, is closed to ice-fishing.

Camping: Moon Shadows RV Park & Campground

Check out the Winter Camping Map for campgrounds open year-round in the Merritt and surrounding area.

Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Monte Lake (Kamloops)

Conveniently located near Highway 97, Monte Lake is easily accessible, and has one of the best winter kokanee fisheries in the area. Each year, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks Monte Lake with 10,000 of these tasty land-locked sockeye salmon, along with 5,000 rainbow trout. 

Kokanee prefer deep lakes, and typically school together. They feed on minute zooplankton higher in the water column. A typical scenario for kokanee fishing would be to find water that is anywhere from 10 to 25 metres deep, and fish suspended baits or jigged lures at depths between five and seven metres. Jigging is the process of slowly raising and lowering your rod to flutter your lure up and down through the water column to attract fish. Adding a small piece of bait to a flashy lure or jig can be an effective way to fish for kokanee.

Camping: Kamloops Riverview RV Park, Knutsford/Kamloops RV Campground, Sunnyside Heights RV Park

Check out the Winter Camping Map for campgrounds open year-round in this area.

Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Edith Lake (Kamloops)

Target both brook char and rainbow trout in Edith Lake. For brook char, try fishing with mealworms close to the shoreline. The water is clear in the shallows, and since a brookie’s bite can be very light, by laying down and looking into your hole through the ice, you will be able to see when a brookie has taken your bait and is on your line. Move out to a spot over a little deeper water, and use a big attractor spoon, followed by a hook and worm on a short leader, to try your luck for rainbow trout.

Camping: Knutsford/Kamloops RV Campground, Kamloops Riverview RV Park, Sunnyside Heights RV Park

Check out the Winter Camping Map for campgrounds open year-round in the Kamloops and surrounding area.

Ness Lake (Prince George)

Ness Lake is currently stocked with both kokanee and rainbow trout. However, brook char are also present in the lake, which presents many different fishing options for the hardwater angler. Ice-fishing gear and an auger can be borrowed for free for up to a week from the Prince George Visitor Centre.

Camping: Blue Cedars RV Park & Campground

Check out the Winter Camping Map for campgrounds open year-round in the Prince George and surrounding area.

Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
Photo Courtesy of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

Whiteswan Lake (Canal Flats)

If Lussier Hot Springs weren’t reason enough to try ice-fishing at Whiteswan Lake, the quality of the rainbow trout in this lake is. Since the East Kootenays can be very cold, make sure you pack along appropriate warm clothing. You may want to think about getting an ice shelter. 

Camping: Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, Fairmount Hotsprings RV Resort

Check out the Winter Camping Map for campgrounds open year-round in this area.

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Check out winter camping in British Columbia for over 150 provincial parks and private campgrounds that are open year round.

Share your winter BC camping & fishing photos using hashtag #campinbc.

It’s always a great day to #CampinBC

Published: December 1st, 2016

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