Red Lake, Kamloops
By Rodney Hsu
Tucked away in the mountains just northwest of Kamloops BC is a pristine lake called Red Lake, where it offers trout and char fishing opportunities for both fly fishing enthusiasts and families. For local residents in Kamloops and nearby towns, it is an excellent option when it comes to day trips. For families who are looking for a holiday get-away by the lake side while catching some trout, then it is worth considering this lake.
How to Get There?
Red Lake is around 40 minutes drive from Kamloops BC. From Kamloops BC, travel to Tranquille Road by the airport near the north side of the town. This leads you to a gravel road through the Tranquille Ecological Reserve. After 30 minutes of driving on this gravel road, you will reach the community of Tranquille, where a number of ranches can be found. Eventually you will reach a T junction where the road intersects with Copper Creek Road. Turn left and travel for ten more minutes and you will reach the lake. A public boat launch can be found near the south end of the lake.
If you are travelling from further away and day trips are not possible, then you may wish to consider staying at one of the two local cottages owned by BC Lakefronts. BC Lakefronts offers luxurious log cabins by Red Lake, which are suitable for families. These cabins are fully equipped, so all you are required to bring are food, beddings and of course your fishing gear. Two cabins are available for rent near the south end of the lake and they are located by each other.
Fishing Season
Two target species are available at Red Lake. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC releases both rainbow trout and brook trout into this lake. Spring time fishing is best for fly fishermen or those who wish to practice conventional fishing techniques. Fishing generally starts slowing down in late June when the weather becomes too hot. While the lake can be very nice to visit in July and August, fishing can be rather slow. Fall fishing usually improves as the weather cools down. This is also a popular ice fishing destination in the winter months.
Fishing Techniques
When fishing in the spring, experienced anglers usually fly fish from a boat, but you can certainly use other techniques to catch these stocked trout. If a boat is not available, you can fish from the floating dock at the cabin where you are staying. Casting and retrieving a small spoon or spinner almost never fails if fish are active. Fishing with a variety of bait such as krill, shrimp, corn and dew worm can speed things up if kids are eager to catch a fish.
There are two strains of rainbow trout stocked in this lake, they are Fraser Valley and Pennask rainbow trout. These rainbow trout generally range from 1 to 4lb large, depending on how long they have been in the lake. Brook trout found in the lake are typically between 1 and 2lb, but much larger fish can be seen. Fish up to 8lb are not unheard of.
When fly fishing for these trout and char in May and June, suspending a chironomid under the indicator usually yields the best results. Trolling either a fly or lure can also produce.
When ice fishing in the winter months, bait fishing is often the go-to technique. Krill, corn, maggot are the most commonly used bait. You can also jig a tiny spoon tipped with bait, but most prefer to simply rest the rod by the hole and wait for the bite.
Important Notes
Before your first fishing trip to Red Lake, please make sure you know the following information:
- You must have a valid British Columbia freshwater fishing license.
- Red Lake is located in Region 3 in the British Columbia freshwater fishing regulations.
- Please respect local residents and other users by keeping the lake clean, minimize your noise and pay attention to the boat engine power restriction.
