Boot Lake near Kaslo: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Boot Lake belongs to Regional District of Central Kootenay, British Columbia. Height above sea level is 1,621 metres. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. Most waters listed here for Regional District of Central Kootenay are larger. The nearest town is Kaslo, 25 km away. The big place round here is Kelowna, 162 km distant. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Boot Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Regional District of Central Kootenay, recorded fish include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, mountain whitefish, largescale sucker and cutthroat trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Treat Boot Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 12°C at the top of summer and -10°C at the bottom of winter. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Look for the thaw near mid May; the fishing lifts straight after. Averages place the thaw at mid May and the freeze at early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Boot Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Should this one be busy, Heather Lake is 2.2 km off. Signs at Boot Lake carry more weight than any list.