Stillwater · Volcanic · British Columbia

Stump Lake

Stump Lake terrain map

Stump Lake is a big, productive lower-elevation lake in the Nicola valley that grows strong rainbows.

Marginal · Rainbow
Callibaetis Cripple · 14-16
A patient day, if you fancy it
Water temperature is the limiting factor today, not the wave. Fish dawn or dusk if you go at all, and handle everything with extra care.
44% confidence
limited data

Stump Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindNE 18 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Callibaetis Cripple
Callibaetis Cripple14-16
High-confidence seasonal pick
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
NE 18 km/h
N
NE
from the north-east
Wave40 cm chop
Water temp—
Air temp25°C
CloudBroken
Pressure1010 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Ice-off (May) and autumn.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 4 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Flying AntsHatch
1
1
Gray DrakeHatch
1
1
CallibaetisHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Gear/quota rules typical
  • Verify current BC regs (Region 3).
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
64%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp25%

A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Peterhope Lake
9.0 km
Rainbow trout
Lac le Jeune
16 km
Rainbow trout
Roche Lake
18 km
Rainbow trout
Lundbom Lake
39 km
Rainbow trout
Tunkwa Lake
45 km
Rainbow trout
About this water

Stump Lake is a big, productive lower-elevation lake in the Nicola valley that grows strong rainbows. Larger and windier than the small fly lakes, it suits shoal chironomid fishing and stripped-fly tactics from a boat, with the chance of a sizeable fish. Watch the weather on this open water.

Under the surface

Stump Lake is a large, lower-elevation alkaline lake in the Nicola valley between Kamloops and Merritt, productive and capable of growing big rainbows. Bigger and more weather-exposed than the small fly lakes, it offers shoal fishing and trolling-style fly tactics for strong fish in a broad valley setting.

Wading: Large open lake — wind and waves, boat fishery

  • Lake
  • Volcanic
  • Stillwater
  • Shoal
Why this score
  • Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 May → 30 November
Related guides
Thermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts