Shea Lake, Merritt
By Rodney Hsu
Tucked away in the Kane Valley between Merritt and Aspen Grove, is a small secluded lake that offers consistent rainbow trout fishing action and family camping activities. Shea Lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout so they can easily be caught by anglers at any skill level. The wildlife in the area is also very diverse. Sightings of hummingbirds and other song birds are common.
How to Get There?
Shea Lake is located in the Kane Valley near Merritt. To get there from Vancouver, take the Coldwater exit from the Coquihalla Highway. Turn left onto Coldwater Road and turn right onto Kane Valley Road. Kane Valley Road is a gravel road. Travel on Kane Valley Road for approximately 10km and turn right onto Voght Valley Road. Continue and follow sign to Shea Lake.
If travelling from Kelowna or Kamloops, access Kane Valley Road from Okanagan Connector (Highway 97C/5A). Travel for approximately 20 minutes by vehicle and turn left onto Voght Valley Road to Shea Lake.
Fishing Season
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks rainbow trout (Blackwater and Carp Lake strains) at Shea Lake each year. These fish are stocked at fingerling size and become catchable in one to three years.
Spring fishing typically starts around mid May and continues to be consistent throughout the summer months. Fall months can also be productive before the weather gets too cold.
Fishing Techniques
Shea Lake has a high abundance of redside shiners. If you do not fly fish, then spincasting will certainly produce as well. Rainbow trout originated from Carp Lake, which are stocked in this lake compete well with the presence of shiners. It is possible that small shiners make up part of their diet. A small spinner or spoon cast and retrieved in the shallows should result in some bites. Shore fishing is possible from the small docks near the boat launch and campsites, but a boat definitely has a bigger advantage. A boat can take you to deeper water where larger fish inhabit.
Fly fishing with chironomid patterns under an indicator is by far the most productive method, especially in spring and summer.
Important Notes
Before your first fishing trip to Shea Lake, please make sure you know the following information:
- You must have a valid British Columbia freshwater fishing license.
- Shea Lake is located in Region 3 in the British Columbia freshwater fishing regulations.
- Camping is available at Shea Lake. Please respect other campers by keeping your noise down and not leaving garbage behind. The area is also used by other wildlife so please minimize your footprints such as not cutting down trees.
