Summer Fishing in the Elk Valley Area

Among the many summer activities in the East Kootenays, river and lake fishing is a popular sport enjoyed by the recreating public. 

The Elk Valley and surrounding areas offer summer fishing opportunities for anglers of all age groups and skill levels. The lakes are stocked annually by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC), stocking under the direction of the Provincial Ministry. The stocking program is diverse, and many lakes have multiple species. The FFSBC website can be accessed by the public and has a wealth of information posted in the stocking reports. It is worthwhile reviewing the reports to source the variety of fish species stocked in the many lakes in the area. There are approximately 200 lakes in the Kootenay Region listed in the stocking reports and each year the total fish stocked is approximately 400,000 of Blackwater, Fraser Valley, Pennask strains of rainbow trout, Eastern brook trout, cutthroat trout and Kokanee.
 
The river systems (Elk River, Kootenay River, Wigwam River, Bull River) are highly productive and have a Classified Waters designation. The rivers are managed for natural recruitment of native species being bull trout, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain whitefish. These rivers have world class quality and draw folks from around the world. There are several flyfishing shops and outfitters in the Elk Valley that offer guided flyfishing trips.  

Freshwater fishing licenses are available at any Service BC office, participating outdoor retailers or online on the WILD website. There are many regulations required to manage the freshwater fisheries resource; therefore, it is essential to understand the Freshwater Fishing Regulation Synopsis. The regulations are reviewed and updated every two years to stay current with freshwater fisheries management practices.  
   
The freshwater fish resource is under threat from invasive plants and species. The ministry has established inspection stations in the region primarily along Highway 3 and it is mandatory for all watercraft devises to be inspected at these stations for invasive species such as zebra mussels. These stations are also equipped to disinfect any suspected watercraft of carrying invasive species. The staff also instruct the public of the principles of Clean, Drain and Dry to stop the spread. 

In addition to these stations, the onus is on the recreation public to practice good stewardship.  

Invasive species (northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, bullhead catfish) have been illegally established in a few lakes in the region and pose a threat to the native species. It is very difficult and expensive to eradicate these species once they are established in a waterbody. The ministry has established education signs and pamphlets to identify and warn of their detrimental impacts.  There is a component of the fishing public who target these invasive species but the fishing pubic must be diligent to ensure no more lakes in this region are impacted. 

Freshwater fishing in our rivers and lakes provides a great summer recreation opportunity. Once tried, forever hooked.  

Tight lines.