British Columbia is a paradise for lake fishing. With thousands of lakes spread across the province, anglers can choose between easily accessible waters near major highways, quiet wilderness lakes surrounded by mountains, and remote fishing destinations that feel a world away.
From trophy rainbow trout and lake trout to kokanee, bass, salmon, and bull trout, BC offers some of the most diverse freshwater fishing opportunities in Canada.
While there are countless incredible fishing spots across the province, we’ve selected 10 of the best fishing lakes in BC that offer excellent angling opportunities and can be reached by road in most cases. Whether you are planning a weekend fishing trip, a family getaway, or a backcountry adventure, these lakes are worth adding to your list.
Best Fishing Lakes in BC at a Glance
| Lake | Region | Best Known For | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alta Lake | Whistler | Cutthroat & rainbow trout | Easy |
| Duck Lake | Creston | Largemouth bass | Easy |
| Elk & Beaver Lakes | Victoria | Bass & trout | Easy |
| Francois Lake | Lakes District | Lake trout & rainbow trout | Moderate |
| Nilkitkwa Lake | Northern BC | Trophy rainbow trout | Remote |
| Quesnel Lake | Cariboo | Trophy trout & lake trout | Moderate |
| Sheridan Lake | Cariboo | Large rainbow trout | Easy |
| Shuswap Lake | Thompson Okanagan | Kokanee & trout | Easy |
| Slocan Lake | Kootenays | Rainbow trout & bull trout | Moderate |
| Williston Lake | Northern BC | Trout, grayling & kokanee | Moderate |
Alta Lake
Location: Whistler, Sea to Sky Corridor
Best for: Cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, family fishing trips
Located just minutes from Whistler Village, Alta Lake is one of the most accessible fishing lakes in BC. The scenic drive along the Sea to Sky Highway is an adventure itself, but anglers will find plenty of reasons to stay once they arrive.
The lake is stocked with cutthroat trout, with fish reaching impressive sizes of up to 60 cm (24 in). Rainbow trout are also regularly stocked, while kokanee and Dolly Varden add variety for anglers exploring these waters.
With easy shoreline access, boat rentals nearby, and spectacular mountain views, Alta Lake is a great option for anglers looking for a convenient BC fishing experience.
Alta Lake, BC - Image courtesy of Pembertonfinder.com
Duck Lake
Location: Creston, Kootenays
Best for: Largemouth bass
Located near Creston in southeastern BC, Duck Lake is one of the province’s top bass fishing destinations.
The shallow, weedy lake provides excellent habitat for largemouth bass, with average fish weighing around 1 kg (2 to 3 lb) and larger bass reaching more than 2.5 kg (8 lb).
Because it receives less fishing pressure than many popular BC lakes, Duck Lake offers a peaceful day on the water. A small boat or canoe is ideal for exploring the weed beds where bass like to hide.
Elk Lake & Beaver Lake
Location: Saanich, Vancouver Island
Best for: Bass fishing, trout, easy-access fishing
Just north of Victoria, Elk and Beaver Lakes prove that great fishing does not always require a remote wilderness trip.
Connected by a shallow channel, these two lakes offer excellent opportunities for both trout and bass anglers. Elk Lake is known for quality smallmouth bass, while Beaver Lake is home to impressive largemouth bass.
Rainbow trout are stocked regularly, and the fishing pier on Elk Lake provides a convenient option for shore anglers.
Francois Lake
Location: Northern BC Lakes District
Best for: Lake trout, rainbow trout, wilderness fishing
Francois Lake is BC’s second-largest natural lake and offers endless opportunities for anglers looking for space, scenery, and big fish.
The lake supports healthy populations of rainbow trout, lake trout, and char. Lake trout can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 10 kg (22 lb) caught regularly.
With numerous access points and thousands of hectares of water to explore, Francois Lake is a destination where anglers can spend days discovering new fishing spots.
Nilkitkwa Lake
Location: Northern Interior BC
Best for: Trophy rainbow trout, fly fishing
Known as “Rainbow Alley,” Nilkitkwa Lake is famous among fly anglers for its exceptional rainbow trout fishing.
Located between Babine Lake and the Babine River, this narrow lake benefits from nutrient-rich waters and large insect hatches that support trophy-sized trout.
The lake is fly-fishing only, helping protect the quality of the fishery and keeping fishing pressure low. Rainbow trout can reach more than 6 kg (13 lb), making this one of BC’s premier trout destinations.
Quesnel Lake
Location: Cariboo region
Best for: Trophy trout, lake trout, wilderness fishing
Quesnel Lake is one of BC’s most spectacular fishing destinations. Known as one of the deepest fjord lakes in the world, its cold, clear waters support an impressive range of fish species.
Anglers can target rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout, and kokanee, including trophy-sized fish.
With three distinct arms, remote wilderness scenery, boat launches, resorts, and recreation sites, Quesnel Lake offers everything from accessible fishing trips to true backcountry adventures.
Quesnel Lake, BC - Image courtesy of Silvertip Lodge
Sheridan Lake
Location: Near 100 Mile House
Best for: Rainbow trout
Sheridan Lake is widely considered one of the best trout fishing lakes in British Columbia.
Its healthy population of freshwater shrimp helps rainbow trout grow to impressive sizes, with fish reaching more than 8 kg (17 lb).
The lake features numerous resorts, boat launches, islands, and sheltered bays to explore. With hundreds of thousands of fish stocked annually, Sheridan Lake provides consistent fishing throughout the open-water season.
Shuswap Lake
Location: Thompson Okanagan
Best for: Kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout
Famous for its beaches and summer recreation, Shuswap Lake is also a fantastic fishing destination.
The lake supports many fish species, including kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout, and several salmon species.
While the lake’s four arms offer plenty of water to explore, anglers often target kokanee and trout in the deeper sections of this massive lake.
Slocan Lake
Location: West Kootenays
Best for: Rainbow trout, bull trout, scenic fishing
Surrounded by the Valhalla Mountain Range, Slocan Lake combines excellent fishing with some of the most dramatic scenery in BC.
The lake is known for large rainbow trout and bull trout, with anglers often targeting creek mouths where cold streams enter the lake.
Marine-access campsites and nearby communities like Slocan, New Denver, and Silverton make this a great destination for multi-day fishing adventures.
Williston Lake
Location: Northern BC
Best for: Arctic grayling, trout, kokanee
At 1,761 km², Williston Lake is the largest lake in British Columbia and one of the largest reservoirs in the world.
Created by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, this enormous body of water provides countless fishing opportunities. Anglers can target rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee, Arctic grayling, and whitefish throughout the lake’s many arms and river mouths.
With extensive shoreline, campsites, and surrounding wilderness, Williston Lake is ideal for anglers looking for a true northern BC adventure.
Plan Your Next BC Fishing Adventure
Knowing where to fish is only the beginning. Backroad Maps helps you find fishing hotspots, plan your route, and explore more of BC’s incredible outdoor destinations.
BC Fishing Mapbooks
Explore the best fishing lakes in each region with detailed depth charts, species information, stocking details, fishing tips, boat launches, and access points.
Backroad Maps App
Find fishing hotspots across Canada with lake depth contours, species information, stocking details, descriptions, and turn-by-turn navigation to get you there.
Backroad Mapbooks
Plan the full adventure with detailed topographic maps, fishing locations, camping areas, trails, parks, and recreation sites.
Garmin GPS Maps
For remote anglers, Garmin-compatible maps provide reliable offline navigation with fishing locations, access routes, and backroad details.
All Backroad Maps products include:
- 🎣 Fishing holes with species information and stocking details
- 🚤 Boat launches and access points
- 🏕️ Fishing lodges, resorts, and nearby amenities
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fishing lakes in BC for trout?
Some of the best trout fishing lakes in BC include Sheridan Lake, Quesnel Lake, Alta Lake, Slocan Lake, and Nilkitkwa Lake.
Where is the best bass fishing in BC?
Duck Lake near Creston and Elk & Beaver Lakes near Victoria are among the best bass fishing lakes in British Columbia.
What is the biggest lake in BC for fishing?
Williston Lake is the largest lake in BC and offers excellent fishing for trout, kokanee, Arctic grayling, and whitefish.
Do you need a fishing licence in BC?
Yes. Anyone fishing in British Columbia generally requires a valid BC freshwater fishing licence. Regulations vary by region and species, so always check current fishing regulations before heading out.
Did we miss your favourite BC fishing lake? Let us know in the comments below or share your BC fishing adventures with us on Instagram using #brmblife for a chance to be featured on our feed and win prizes.
