Fishing the Kootenays by RV

Rules change. Seasons, closures and limits change often and can change mid-season. We link to the official pages rather than repeat them, so check them before every trip.

Licences and rules

• Fresh water: lakes and rivers are managed by the Province of BC. Licences are sold through the WILD system. The Kootenay (Region 4) synopsis lists the rules for these waters, and the provincial regulations page lists in-season changes.
• Salmon and steelhead: rivers with salmon or steelhead often have their own closures and licence conditions, so check the synopsis before you plan around one.
• Towing a boat: BC requires watercraft to be transported with the drain plug removed and water drained on dry land, and anglers are asked to clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

Choose your fishing area

• Kootenay Lake: Creston, Kaslo and Nelson
• Christina Lake and the Boundary
• Castlegar, Trail and the Columbia River
• Nakusp, the Arrow Lakes and the Slocan
• Fernie and the Elk River
• Cranbrook, Kimberley and the Skookumchuck
• Invermere, Golden and Revelstoke

Fish named for this region: Trout, Bass. Read the species guide.

Kootenay Lake: Creston, Kaslo and Nelson

• Kootenay Lake
• Bull trout, Gerrard rainbow, rainbow trout (Kootenay Lake)

Kootenay Rockies Tourism names Kootenay Lake, at Creston and Nelson, among its fishing waters. Nelson, Creston and Boswell have hub pages.

We list 27 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Nelson; Compare RV campgrounds near Creston; Compare RV campgrounds near Boswell.

Fishing facts at parks in this area

Taken from the page linked in each row, usually the park's own page. Not stated means the page does not say; it does not mean the park has none. None listed means the page marks the facility not available. Counts are the numbers on the park's facilities list, for example "Boat Launch(es) (2)". A park's own description can group or count ramps differently, so ask the park before you tow.

Christina Lake and the Boundary

• Boundary
• Rainbow trout, kokanee, whitefish, smallmouth and largemouth bass (Christina Lake)

Backroad Mapbooks lists rainbow trout, kokanee, whitefish, and smallmouth and largemouth bass in Christina Lake, east of Grand Forks.

We list 15 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Christina Lake; Compare RV campgrounds near Greenwood.

Castlegar, Trail and the Columbia River

• Lower Columbia
• Rainbow trout and other trout (Columbia River)

Kootenay Rockies Tourism names the Columbia River at Castlegar and the shoreline at Trail and Rossland. Castlegar has the hub page.

We list 13 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Castlegar.

Nakusp, the Arrow Lakes and the Slocan

• Arrow Lakes and Slocan
• Waters not yet matched to fish

Lakes and valleys north of Castlegar. We have not yet matched sourced fish to waters here.

We list 13 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Browse the regional campground directory.

Fernie and the Elk River

• Elk Valley
• Bull trout, West Slope cutthroat (Elk River)

Kootenay Rockies Tourism names the Elk River at Fernie among its fishing waters.

We list 12 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Fernie.

Cranbrook, Kimberley and the Skookumchuck

• East Kootenay
• Rainbow trout (Skookumchuck River)

Kootenay Rockies Tourism names the Skookumchuck River near Kimberley. Cranbrook has the hub page.

We list 10 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Cranbrook.

Invermere, Golden and Revelstoke

• Upper Columbia
• Mountain streams and an alpine lake (named for Panorama and Revelstoke areas)

Kootenay Rockies Tourism names streams and an alpine lake near Panorama above Invermere, streams and ponds around Golden and streams near Revelstoke.

We list 52 campgrounds and camp sites in this area. Compare RV campgrounds near Invermere; Compare RV campgrounds near Golden; Compare RV campgrounds near Revelstoke.

Gear for this water

• River & fly-fishing kit. A rod/reel combination suited to the planned method. Search on Amazon
• Rain, sun & wet-weather gear. Rain layers that fit over your fishing clothing. Search on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. More fishing and boating gear.

Where the fish names come from

• Kootenay Rockies Tourism: Cast a line in the Kootenays
• Backroad Mapbooks: Christina Lake

Keep planning

• Fishing in British Columbia
• Fishing regulations and licences in Canada
• Kootenay Rockies campgrounds
• Best RV trips in British Columbia