Fishing Kootenay Lake near Ainsworth

slamilton · #1 07-01-2021, 07:52 AM

I am heading to Kootenay Lake mid August and staying at the Woodbury Resort near Ainsworth for a few days and looking for some fishing tips. I have never fished this lake before and we are renting a pontoon boat for an afternoon and will have access to a canoe also but no sonar or anything. Thanks in advance.

deanna · #2 07-01-2021, 08:34 AM

Google Reel Adventures Kootenay Fishing Report is a good start. We would slay bull trout all day with salmon roe on a 3 way swivel at creek mouths in 30-50 FOW. Troll bucktails, Gold & silver spoons

deschambault · #3 07-01-2021, 02:51 PM

I would agree that if you have no sonar or downriggers, use a guide who does. At that time of year I find the bulls hanging around rocky bottoms at about 80 feet or so. We caught lots last year but had to bump the downrigger balls every now and then. My heavy balls are a bit scarred but the smoker was happy.

Big Grey Wolf · #4 07-02-2021, 09:24 AM

Kootenay lake was a major fishery during the 60-90,s. Their were numerous major American boats left full time at the BC marina's. The real monster fish were long since removed from the lake. Not sure if BC Fisheries was able to re-establish the fishery. PS It is a very deep BC lake so need to go very deep.
It was also very good for large kokane fishing.

deschambault · #5 07-02-2021, 10:36 AM

The monster fish died out when the kokanee crashed. They are coming back slowly but won't be the same until the kokanee bio mass is restored. To help speed this process there is zero kokanee fishing and increased bull and rainbow retention to remove some predators and give the kokanee a better chance to re-establish. I have heard various reasons for the drastic drop in kokanee population but fisheries are trying very hard to bring them back. In the meantime 4 lb bull trout are quite delicious, especially smoked.

graybeard · #6 07-02-2021, 11:22 AM

The Woodbury Resort will have tons of info and what hook is catching fish....just ask around.

My advice is to oar or paddle around to a creek or river entering the lake and fish it hard....that is what I do all the time, with good results....Especially early in the morning and after supper.

A reminder that when paddling around also be trolling, as slow as it may seem.

Without your hook in the water you are guaranteed; not to catch fish...haha

Good luck,