Pinaus Lake in Columbia-Shuswap Regional District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Columbia-Shuswap Regional District end of British Columbia holds Pinaus Lake. The water sits 983 metres up. There is roughly 8.7 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Size puts it in the front rank of our Columbia-Shuswap Regional District list. The closest town, Spallumcheen, is 27 km away. The nearest city of size is Kamloops, 58 km away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Pinaus Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, bull trout and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Pinaus Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -6°C in January to roughly 16°C in August. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. From about early April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Pinaus Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A campsite lies 380 m away for anyone staying over. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Lady King Lake, 2 km away. Nothing on Pinaus Lake should be assumed from this page alone.