Trout section

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On the Central Coast of British Columbia

Trout

Various Types: Rainbow trout, Kamloops trout, Gerrard rainbows, Steelhead, Char, Dolly Varden, Brown Trout, Cutthroat (Cutts), Brook trout, Bull Trout.

Description:

No other fish stirs the blood like steelhead (see our Steelhead section) - large, fercious, sea-run rainbow trout of 16 kg (35 lb) have been taken by sport fishers but a Gerrard introduced into Jewel Lake, near Greenwood, weighed 23.6 kg (52 lb) when netted in the 1930s. Gerrards are now stocked in several lakes throughout the interior.

Closely related to rainbows are two other species of trout native to BC: coastal and westslope cutthroat trout, commonly called "cutts." Both species are opportunistic feeders, but their diet tends to favour small fish over aquatic insects. Coastal cutthroat are present in most lakes and rivers along the coastal mainland and offshore islands, and wherever accessible to saltwater they are often anadromous. It is not uncommon for anglers to encounter these heavily-spotted trout while fishing for steelhead. Although popular with fly fishers, large lake-dwelling cutthroat - a few up to 5 kg (11 lb) or more - are usually taken by deep trolling with plugs.

Westslope cutthroat originated in the Kootenays of southwest BC, but have been successfully stocked in many lakes in the Okanagan. Although trout in high alpine lakes are seldom large, they reach very respectable sizes in lower elevation lakes and streams in the Kootenays, where they are popular with fly fishers.

Brown trout have a very limited range in BC but are known to reach weights of up to 6 kg (13 lb) in Cowichan and Cameron lakes on Vancouver Island. Browns are also caught in the Cowichan River, and to a lesser degree in the Little Qualicum and Adams rivers. They are also present in the Kettle River in the Okanagan.

Dolly Varden are present in many coastal lakes and streams, and are often caught while fishing for coastal cutthroat or rainbow trout. The large bull trout are more common in interior and northern BC waters.

Lake trout are common in most large lakes throughout central, eastern and northern BC. Known to reach weights of 15 kg (33 lb) and more, they are usually caught by deep trolling with large spoons.

Introduced brook trout do well in various lakes throughout the province, attaining weights of over 3 kg (6.6 lb) in some waters. They bite on a wide range of baits, lures and flies, and are especially popular during winter ice fisheries.

Kamloops trout are considered the highest-jumping, most acrobatic of any trout in the world. Native to the south-central and central interior regions, they reach marvellous sizes and provide excellent sport.

Feeding:

Trout generally feed on soft bodied aquatic invertebrates, such as flies, mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and dragonflies. In lakes, various species of zooplankton often form large parts of the diet. In general, the larger specimens of trout (longer than about 30 cm) prey almost exclusively on small fish, if they are available. Seasonally they can often be caught frequenting the shallows in the spring. June and July rainbows are commonly nailed on a fly rod. While fall rainbows and the winter months can see huge success with small lures and a variety of baits.

Habitat:

Water temperature is a key factor in determining brook trout habitat. They need a year-round supply of cold, clear water, as well as plenty of cover from overhanging branches, logs, and rocks. Streams with cool, quiet pools between runs of fast water and rapids are typical habitat, as are clear, cold lakes and beaver ponds

Rainbow