Paul and Pinantan Lakes - Kamloops, BC

 

Paul lake is one the many previously barren lakes in the central interior of BC that were stocked by man to become excellent fishing lakes.  The first confirmed stocking of Paul lake occurred in 1908. During the next 10 or so years fishing on the lake was splendid and it was still good in the 20’s and 30’s when Bill Nation, a fly fisherman, established a guiding service at what became known as Echo lodge. Paul is a fairly long but narrow lake, which because of its shape has a long shoreline and many good feeding places for trout. The productivity was once estimated at around 10,000 trout a year averaging one pound.   This calculation proved to be correct and in some years the lake yielded more than 10,000lb of trout/year.

Although Paul is still stocked with rainbow trout each year, conditions have changed since the early 30’s quite a bit.  It still provides consistent rainbow trout fishing for most of the year for fish in the 1-3lb range. Bigger fish are possible but not that common. The lower part along the trail is suitable for spin casting from shore. The rest of the lake is best fished from a boat. Paul lake has a huge shiner population that is a source of food for bigger trout in the summer months. Unfortunately trout predation is unable to keep the shiner population in check.  For one reason or another in the past several years the lake has produced an increasing number of unhealthy looking trout.  The reasons for this state of affairs may lie with the waste coming from the local communities, the growing shiner population or other environmental factors.

There are good roads leading to both ends of Paul lake; the Harper Mountain road provides access to a trailhead at the lake’s lower end. The trail runs along the shores all the way to the massive Gibraltar rock, popular with hikers. The upper end of the lake (on the other side of the rock) can be reached by following Pinantan lake road to the Paul Lake recreation area turn off. The main shallows of the lake are right by the recreation area the upper parts of the lake, and the lower end. There are boat launches at both ends of the lake.

Pinantan Lake

Located about 10km east of Paul lake Pinantan is a smaller lake that offers rainbow and recently cutthroat trout to the fishing enthusiast.  Since the lake is surrounded by residential areas and private lands, a boat is needed during most of the year. Trout in Pinantan are on the smaller side but 2-3lb fish are regularly caught.

Home | Techniques | Species | Destinations | Forum | Gallery