The Field Journal
Rivers & Lakes · Stillwater

Ailsa Lake

A stillwater in the St. Mary River watershed, E of White Grouse Mountain, S of Meachan Creek SW of St. Mary Lake, ~8.1 ha surface area. Confirm the fishery, the launch and the Region 4 rules before you commit a day to it.

Ailsa Lake is a stillwater in the St. Mary River watershed, E of White Grouse Mountain, S of Meachan Creek SW of St. Mary Lake. ~8.1 ha surface area.

The water

Ailsa Lake lies E of White Grouse Mountain, S of Meachan Creek SW of St. Mary Lake; in the St. Mary River watershed. It covers ~8.1 ha surface area.

The fishing

Ailsa Lake fishes on classic stillwater lines: chironomids over the shoals, leech and attractor retrieves along the drop-offs, and depth or troll work to the shoal-and-drop-off structure. Match the season and confirm against a local report.

waves
Stillwater
St. Mary River watershed
straighten
8.1 ha
surface area

Conditions

  • Water-health signal: poor (health index 8), 1 species over 6 observations.

Access & the rules

Confirm the launch, parking and any motor/float or seasonal restrictions for Ailsa Lake locally before you commit a day; the map shows where the lake sits in its drainage.

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Before you fish

Confirm the current BC freshwater fishing regulations (Region 4 – Kootenay) before you go. Official synopsis: gov.bc.ca fishing regulations.