The Field Journal
Rivers & Lakes · Stillwater

Kokanee Lake

A stillwater in the Slocan River watershed, Head of Kokanee Creek, NE of Nelson, ~17.9 ha surface area. Confirm the fishery, the launch and the Region 4 rules before you commit a day to it.

Kokanee Lake is a stillwater in the Slocan River watershed, Head of Kokanee Creek, NE of Nelson. ~17.9 ha surface area.

The water

Kokanee Lake lies Head of Kokanee Creek, NE of Nelson; in the Slocan River watershed. It covers ~17.9 ha surface area. The lake survey puts it at max 36 m, which sets the depth you fish.

The fishing

Kokanee 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
Slocan River watershed
straighten
17.9 ha
surface area
water
max 36 m
lake survey

Conditions

  • Depth: max 36 m (BC lake survey 1982-08-20).
  • Water-health signal: good (health index 23), 3 species over 19 observations.

Access & the rules

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

gavel

Before you fish

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