Purney Lake, British Columbia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Purney Lake is listed under Regional District of Central Kootenay, British Columbia. Everything around it is mixed forest. Small at around 9 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in British Columbia. Supplies mean a trip to Nakusp, 50 km off. Nelson follows at 50 km, then Castlegar at 54 km. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Purney Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Regional District of Central Kootenay cover rainbow trout, sockeye salmon and mountain whitefish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. At Purney Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -9°C to 12°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Once it clears, about mid May, the fishing comes on quickly. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly early November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. On Purney Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Bunny Lake is 3.4 km off. Ask locally about Purney Lake if anything is unclear.