Fresh water fishing in the Kootenays is enjoyed on many of the lakes, rivers, streams and man-made reservoirs located in the region. Some lakes and rivers are close to or border communities while other lakes and rivers are located far away in remote, rugged wilderness valleys.
Some plan a fishing trip towing large boats which are permitted on the larger lakes and man-made reservoirs. Some come to fish the smaller remote lakes with roof top boats with paddles and electric motors. The purest arrive with a canoe. The die hard naturalist come prepared to fish with a set of hip waiters, a fly rod and a belly-boat.
The larger lakes and bigger rivers are more easily accessible for fishing. On all the major lakes are public boat launches. Some boat launches are gravel with little to offer but lake access and a gravel parking lot. Some developed boat launches are paved with floating piers, picnic sites and information billboards with fishing restrictions and rules. The most developed boat launches, in many cases, are located at the local marinas where there may also be a fishing tackle shop.
Away from the communities are the smaller remote lakes and fishing destinations located in the backcountry wilderness areas. These wilderness lakes are mostly accessed via traveling a network of gravel roads and/or hiking a trail. Most of the remote smaller lakes do not permit gas motorized boats, but do permit boats with electric motors, canoes, row boats, belly boats and kayaks.
All fish populations are monitored closely. Some lakes are restocked annually with fish while others are populated naturally via spawning rivers. Many lakes and rivers have rules in place to protect the fish populations and are on a catch and release program. In every season a licence is required to fish in British Columbia, Canada.
The fish located in the Kootenay region include lingcod, char, pike, kokanee, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, burbot, whitefish and dolly varden. Fishing in the Kootenays can be a self guided adventure or a guided adventure with one of the local fishing guides. Every fishing adventure should be well planned.
