Lake of the Hanging Glacier, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake of the Hanging Glacier stands in Regional District of East Kootenay, British Columbia. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. About 1.91 sq km, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. At about 6.4 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Few waters listed in Regional District of East Kootenay are bigger. Invermere sits 40 km from the bank. Radium Hot Springs lies 42 km off, Kaslo another 62 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Hanging Glacier

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Reported across Regional District of East Kootenay: rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, sockeye salmon, bull trout and longnose sucker. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Fish Lake of the Hanging Glacier where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -12°C in December and 9°C in August. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late May until roughly late October. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Lake of the Hanging Glacier fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Shamrock Lake is 10 km distant. Ask locally about Lake of the Hanging Glacier if anything is unclear.