Upper Arrow Lake is the northern half of Arrow Lakes Reservoir, the long Columbia impoundment that links Revelstoke, Shelter Bay, Galena Bay, Halcyon and Nakusp. It is scenic, cold and very dependent on reservoir operations.
The water itself
The shoreline you see in May may not be the shoreline you launch from later. Drawdown defines habitat, access and regulation wording. Fishable water is often boat water: deep edges, creek mouths, ferry-reach structure and kokanee movement.
The fish
Bull trout, rainbows and kokanee carry the angling story. In the broader Arrow system, kokanee provide the food base for large predatory trout. Burbot and whitefish are part of the cold-water fish community, but the fly or trolling conversation usually comes back to kokanee-fed trout.
How it is fished
Use the same basic Arrow reservoir logic: baitfish flies and bucktails when fish are up, deep presentations when they are not, and streamers around legal creek-mouth opportunities. For pure fly casting, expectations should stay modest until local reports say fish are shallow.
Read the reservoir, then the rules
Guides and access
AAA Guided Tours, Reel Adventures, Mountain Valley-style reservoir guides and Nakusp/Revelstoke operators may cover Upper Arrow or nearby Columbia water. Confirm method, launch, pool level and whether the trip is fly-focused.
Sources & further reading: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations, Region 4 (2025-2027); FWCP Columbia Reservoirs & Large Lakes Action Plan; Arrow Lake guide and trolling sources; local FWA/FISS segment model.
Upper Arrow Lake — 2,202,595 fish stocked, 1915–2010
Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Bull Trout, Other. Source: Province of BC — FIDQ / FISS Fish Releases via the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.
| Year | Rainbow Trout | Kokanee | Bull Trout | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7,000 | · | · | · |
| 2009 | 7,000 | · | · | · |
| 2008 | 7,000 | · | · | · |
| 2007 | 7,000 | · | · | · |
| 2006 | 83,380 | · | · | · |
| 1997 | 59,011 | · | · | · |
| 1996 | 27,826 | · | · | · |
| 1995 | · | · | 4 | · |
| 1973 | 4,000 | · | · | · |
| 1967 | 6,000 | · | · | · |
| 1954 | 35,000 | · | · | · |
| 1953 | 60,000 | · | · | · |
| 1952 | 79,374 | · | · | · |
| 1950 | 60,000 | · | · | · |
| 1947 | 20,000 | · | · | · |
| 1930 | · | 100,000 | · | 1,630,000 |
| 1915 | 10,000 | · | · | · |
