Kinney Lake near Valemount: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Kinney Lake falls in Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, part of British Columbia. Country round the bank runs to mixed forest. Roughly 71 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The bank runs about 4.4 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. The nearest place of any size is Valemount, 28 km away. The nearest city of size is Kamloops, 280 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Kinney Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, recorded fish include Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and mountain whitefish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Kinney Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 13°C and December near -9°C on the long-run figures. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Climate figures give an open season running late April to early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. On Kinney Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A campsite is mapped about 550 m away, which makes an early start easier. Mapping records toilets within 580 m. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Berg Lake sits 7.5 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Kinney Lake before loading the car.