Clearwater Fishing

North Thompson misty Morning Fly Fishing, Jana Sasaki photo

With 50 trout-stocked lakes within a one-hour drive of Clearwater, the area is an angler's dream. In August, Clearwater River, Mahood River, Raft River, and Mad River are filled with Salmon. The Clearwater area has many fishing lodges and resorts, guides are available for half-day, full-day, or extended trips, and locals are always up for sharing tips on favourite hotspots.

Fishing Resorts

For those seeking a wilderness fishing experience, the Clearwater area has many lodge and resort options, some of which are easily accessible by vehicle, while others are fairly remote. Star Lake Fishing Resort is situated in a wilderness setting 9km/5.5mi west of Clearwater. The resort features cabins, private campsites, and boat rentals.

Caverhill Lodge is located north of Barriere on the southeast corner of the Nehalliston Plateau (at an elevation of 1,402m/4,600ft) on the southeast shore of Caverhill Lake. The lodge is only accessible by boat, private floatplane, or helicopter.

Moose Camp Fishing Resort, established in the late 1880s as a trap line headquarters, utilizes 20 lakes varying in elevation from 1,219m/4,000ft to 1767m/5,800ft. Most are within hiking distance, as well as several lakes that are accessible only by 4-wheel drive.

Fishing Guides

There are several fishing guide outfitters in the Clearwater area featuring fly-fishing packages for all ability and experience levels - beginner to advanced. Among these is Silent Sport Guided Fly Fishing, which offers a variety of packages for drift boat fly-fishing on Clearwater River and the North Thompson River.

Barriere

The small community of Barriere is an entry point for some of the most spectacular lake fishing country in BC. The choice of catch is varied – Dolly Varden, Bass, Kokanee, Steelhead, Brook and Rainbow Trout, and the fighting Kamloops Trout.

Johnson Lake, one of the area’s most unique fishing hot spots, is a great place for catching the treasured Kamloops Trout. The lake, 5km/3mi long and 200ft/61m in depth is perfect for growing big trout, some of which weigh in at up to 2.2kg/5lbs. Fish can be seen as far down as 15m/50ft as the lake is pristinely clear. The nearby Johnson Lake Resort has 8 housekeeping cabins with a central shower house, 12 privately situated campsites plus a boat launch, dock, and boats for rent.

The trios of lakes (North Barriere, East Barriere, South Barriere) northeast of Clearwater are local favourites. Easy to get to by driving from town along Barriere Lake Road, these lakes provide great fly-fishing and light-spin casting opportunities. Salmon runs through North Barriere Lake occur twice during the year beginning in August.

Practical Points

Visit the Freshwater Fish Hatchery in Clearwater to learn how lakes are sustainably stocked.
Appropriate fishing licenses are required for fresh and saltwater fishing in British Columbia. Both types can be purchased online via the BC Government's fishing regulations website.
Stop by the Clearwater Visitor Centre (at the entrance of Wells Gray Provincial Park on Yellowhead Highway 5) for more information about fishing lake and rivers in the area.

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