|
>Home
>>Tools & Info >>Recreation>>Fishing
in the North Thompson River Valley |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Thompson-Nicola region is an extremely
popular destination with freshwater fishermen in
British Columbia. It is estimated that about 25%
of all freshwater sport fishing occurs in this
area. An often overlooked section of this region
are the lakes and rivers of the North Thompson
River Valley. Fishing is excellent for
whitefish, trout, and even some salmon. This
month, we’d like to spotlight the fishing
conditions in this area, looking at its
productive rivers and lakes.
(NIHO’s Note: Regulations regarding fishing in
British Columbia are subject to change. Check with a
local guide or the Ministry of the Environment
for current conditions. All fishermen in British
Columbia must obtain a fishing license before
fishing. These licenses are available in most
sporting stores.) |
|
|
|
River Fishing:
Bustin'
Trout in Valemount recommends the
Fraser River, north of Valemount. They
commented, "This pristine river starts out in our neighbourhood, and is home to Bull Trout,
Rainbow Trout, and Rocky Mountain Whitefish. The
river is open year around here, with the early
spring and fall being the best times to fish.
Try using spoons in bright colors for the Bull
Trout. Remember the Bull Trout is a catch and
release fish from flowing waters, and single
barbless hooks are the rules. For rainbows and
whitefish try using small spinners like Mepps in
silver or gold."
Other
rivers and creeks around Valemount support
runs of Whitefish from late October to March.
The trout run at Canoe River is excellent
in the spring. North of Valemount is the
McLennan River, where fishing is good for
trout, rainbow and whitefish bull at the river’s
mouth where the McLennan enters the Fraser
River. Try fishing here in early spring, August
and September.
From its headwaters in the Cariboo Mountains,
the Clearwater River flows through Wells
Gray Provincial Park, meeting the Thompson River
at the community of Clearwater.
Silent Sport Guided Fly Fishing in
Clearwater notes that “The best part of fishing
here is that you can be out on the waters and see no one
else fishing.” While they wouldn't divulge their
secret fishing spots, they love the fishing in
the section of the Clearwater River within Wells
Gray, especially at the convergence of the Mahood and Clearwater Rivers. Silent Sport
notes that this river is a sport fishing river-
catch and release only. While fishing
opportunities are available year round, they
suggest that fishing is great in late July,
August and September for rainbow trout and Dolly
Varden. Salmon can only be targeted in August.
|
|
Flowing from the Rocky Mountains, the
North Thompson River passes by the
communities of Blue Water, Avola, Vavenby,
Clearwater, Little Fort, Barriere and
Heffley Creek before meeting the South
Thompson at Kamloops.
Little
Fort Fly and Tackle notes that the North Thompson River is a catch and
keep river, as long as you abide by
regulations. While there are some excellent
drifts for fly-fishermen, Little Fort Fly
and Tackle warns that that this river
is not as productive as the Clearwater, due
to its silt bottom and migratory fish
population. Other nearby rivers they suggest
trying include the Raft River, and
Myrtle and Mahood Rivers off the
Clearwater. Try fishing in this area in
August and September for chinook salmon and
rainbow trout.
Lake Fishing: |
|
 |
|
Fishing in Valemount |
|
|
|
Valemount:
While fishing conditions in Mount Robson
Provincial Park are generally poor due to the
high sediment load in the waters, Moose and
Yellowhead Lakes support a healthy population of
Dolly Varden and lake char, as well as kokanee
and rainbow trout. Valemount Tourism suggests
fishing at Moose Lake in the spring and late
summer, while Yellowhead Lake is most productive
in late spring. When we checked with
Bustin' Trout, they recommended Little Lost
Lake and Kinbasket Lake. They said
that there are lots of Rainbow Trout on Little
Lost Lake, opening May 1st, and warns that
"[Kinbasket] Lake can be quite rough, so don't
even attempt fishing unless you have a big boat
capable of handling big waves....The lake has a
great kokanee and rainbow population, good
fishing from July to September."
Wells
Gray Provincial Park:
Glacier fed lakes abound in this area,
including:
-
Clearwater/Azure Lake: Fishing for Rainbow trout is popular here,
with the most successful areas being at
either end of both lakes, as well as creek
mouths such as Barella Creek and Angus Horne
Creek.
-
Murtle Lake:
The largest canoe only lake in North
America, a pre-registration form must be
signed by fishermen before a user pass is
issued. Murtle is noted for beautiful
rainbow and kokanee salmon.
-
Mahood
Lake:
The only lake in Wells Gray not glacier fed.
Found near the opening of the park, this
popular lake holds kokanee, whitefish,
burbot, rainbow and lake trout.
These large lakes are best suited for a rod and
reel, although fly fishing is great at the river
mouths.
|
|
 |
|
Lake near Barriere |
|
|
Little Fort:
South of Clearwater, the fishing is great in the
Meadow Lake and Thuya Lake chains.
These walk in lakes are idea for fly fishing and
float tubing. Meadow Lake offers good fishing
opportunities for rainbows up to 4.5 lbs. Thuya
and Island Lakes are part of around 30 lakes
connected by streams. These lakes offer an
excellent rainbow fishery that produces well
right through the fishing season. The size of
the rainbows here can range from small up to 6
lbs.
Little Fort Fly and Tackle suggests trying the
lakes on Highway 24, heading towards Bridge
Lake. Highway 24 is known as the "Fishing
Highway" for the numerous fishing opportunities
here. Rainbow trout is in plentiful supply, and
they note that lakes at the top of this highway
have Eastern brook and lake trout, and even some
kokanee salmon. Try fishing in these lakes in
late May, June, early July, as well as September
and October. |
|
|
Barriere:
There are hundreds of walk in or fly in lakes in
this area. The owners of the
Johnson Lake Resort
recommend Johnson Lake, known
as the "Caribbean of the North" because of the
lake's colour, for rainbow trout from
late May through June. They also like the Barriere
Lake chain for rainbow and lake trout and
the Adams Lake and Adams River
area for rainbow and lake trout, as well as some
salmon in Adams River. They especially
note that Dixon Lake and South
Barriere Lake have plentiful rainbow trout,
albeit not as large as in other lakes and
rivers.
Test your rod against some of the most active
trout in some of the most untouched and
pristine waters in British Columbia's
wilderness. Come to the North Thompson River
Valley! |
|
|
Special thanks to
the following for their assistance with this
article:
Silent Sport Guided Fly Fishing,
Clearwater, 1-250-674-2557
Bustin'
Trout Guiding Valemount,
1-888-726-6611
Little Fort
Fly and Tackle Little Fort,
1-250-677-4366
Johnson Lake Resort, Louis Creek,
1-250-672-1008 |
For More Information:
BC Fishing
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Explore Wells Gray
Fish BC- High Country Region
|
|
|
| |
