Nimpo Lake Fishing
Fishing in Chilko Lake south of Nimpo Lake, Deborah Kannegiesser photo
Nimpo Lake offers anglers many bonuses in addition to potentially landing a much-sought fighting rainbow trout. Floatplane operators and local fisherman provide shuttle service to more than two-dozen wilderness lakes and rivers; local resorts feature guided fishing packages; and rental boats/motors and fishing gear are readily available. Nimpo Lake hosted the Commonwealth Fly-Fishing Championships on Dean River in 1993.
Charlotte Lake
Nearby Charlotte Lake is 26km/15mi southwest of Nimpo Lake and offers great fishing for rainbow trout up to 4kg/9lb. Enjoy the accompanying view of the Coast Mountain Range and Atnarko River winding its way to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and the Bella Coola Valley. Fish for chinook, coho, and pink salmon in the park and along the Atnarko and Bella Coola Rivers. The park’s lakes also abound with Dolly Varden, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout. Cast a line for cutthroat while canoeing the Turner Lake chain.
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More Lakes
Tatla Lake, west of Nimpo Lake on Highway 20, is a hotspot for kokanee, with sizes averaging 14-16in/35-40cm. Turn south just east of Tatla Lake to find a chain of lakes along Mosley Creek. Horn Lake consistently produces rainbow trout up to 1.3kg/3lb. Sapeye Lake, almost directly across from Horn Lake, is a fly-in only lake with rainbow trout up to 1.3kg/3lb (although larger have been caught) and bull trout up to 3kg/6lb. Bluff Lake, just a couple of kilometres/miles down the road, is a rockier, deeper lake with rainbow trout and bull trout. Middle Lake and Twist Lake (walk-in and boat-in only) offer great rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing.
Fishing Lodges
Moose Lake Lodge, a fly-in only lodge, offers both guided and unguided fishing for steelhead on the Lower Dean River, and fly-fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout on the Upper Dean, Blackwater and Entiako Rivers. Crazy Bear Lodge, located west of Nimpo Lake, is a fly-in lodge only and offers good fishing for rainbow trout. Wilderness Trails offers the same on Tetachuk Lake north of Anahim Lake, on the border of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
Practical Points
- Note: All fishers 16-years-old and over, resident and non-resident, require a license to fish. Licenses are available on the BC government website, at the Nimpo Lake General Store and at some of the resorts.
- Be aware of quickly changing weather and wind conditions.
- Keep a safe and respectable distance from all wildlife.
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