Looking for a new spot for ice fishing this winter? Here’s a list of the best spots in the Okanagan.

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The winter fishing community is hopeful for a quick start to the season in the Okanagan, as ice thickens up over the holiday break.

“The lakes aren’t ready quite yet,” organizer of Central Okanagan ice fishing events Danny Coyne said. “In the Okanagan, we go from cold to warm to cold days, and it creates layers on the ice.”

The Okanagan is roughly a week away from having good ice on the higher mountain lakes.

“It’s common for this time of year. Christmas break is usually when we get out and start fishing. We can get a couple of inches of ice in a week, it will develop pretty quickly,” Coyne said.

Coyne recommends there be at least six inches of solid ice, or eight inches if a group is going.

“Safety first when it comes to ice conditions,” he said.

Coyne suggests fishers drill a hole in the ice every 10 to 15 feet to check the thickness, before setting up.

"Just because you see people out there fishing, don’t trust the ice is good, check it for yourself,” Coyne said. “Drilling a couple of holes takes no time at all, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

When heading out on the ice, Coyne recommends fishers have appropriate footwear, a personal floatation device readily available, and a rope in case someone goes into the water.

“If you’re fishing alone, which I don’t recommend, but if you do go out alone have a whistle. Falling into the water is very uncommon if you follow the first step in making sure you have good ice,” Coyne said. “If you do go in, the first thing is to never panic, it’s going to be cold, but you do have time to get yourself out safely.”

Coyne enjoys ice fishing as it can be a very social activity and is easily accessible to most.

“Because the lakes are frozen, you aren’t stuck on shore, you don’t need a dock, you can just go out on the ice and have full access which is amazing,” Coyne said.

When the ice thickens, get ready to drop a line at one of these popular lakes.

Kamloops:

Kamloops is surrounded by popular lakes, but here are a few to start.

Heffley Lake and Walloper Lake are just over 30 minutes from Kamloops and are stocked with rainbow trout.

Edith Lake, about 25 minutes west of Kamloops is full of rainbow trout and brook trout.

Tunkwa Lake is located just over an hour from Kamloops but offers accommodations, from luxury to rustic cabins, after fishing for rainbow trout.

Another popular spot is Monte Lake, between Kamloops and Vernon. Monte Lake is full of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.

Less than an hour from Vernon is Echo Lake and is a popular spot for kokanee salmon.

Tranquille Lake, and Red Lake are other favourites.

Vernon:

There are always fish willing to bite at Swan Lake, less than 10 minutes from Vernon. Swan Lake is popular for perch, rainbow trout, and minnow.

Oyama Lake, roughly 45 minutes of Vernon and 55 minutes north of Kelowna is another option for families to fish.

Lake Country:

Beaver Lake has mainly rainbow trout and is easy to get to, as the road is maintained throughout the winter.

Kelowna:

Shannon Lake in West Kelowna has a little bit of everything from rainbow trout to bass and is easily accessible to families.

“We have some really great urban ice fishing areas. Families can take the bus to that location and go fishing, which is fantastic,” Coyne said.

Less than an hour from Kelowna is Mcculloch Lake that has rainbow and brook trout.

After Mcculloch Lake is Idabel Lake, which has rainbow trout, and brook trout.

“Brook trout are a good species to go after in the winter because they are quite active in the colder water,” Coyne said.

PENTICTON

Yellow Lake is a favourite near Penticton and is stocked with rainbow and brook trout.

For more information on where to fish, go here. Did we miss any? If you're a friendly fisher, willing to share your favourite spots, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

— This story was originally published on Dec. 17, 2021.

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