Introduction
The Kootenay Region provides many opportunities for the public
to enjoy the marvels of nature. In this site, we provide you with
what to see, where to go, access, facilities, timing and some
useful tips to make your trip enjoyable.
Bridge Creek Spawning Channel
WHAT TO SEE: Kokanee
Spawning
WHERE: Within
the City of Revelstoke municipal limit.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: The channel
consists of the lower reaches of Bridge Creek which flows off
Mount Revelstoke emptying into the Illecillewaet River about 1
km upstream of the 4th Street bridge. There is an information
kiosk showing the life cycle of Kokanee and details of the channel
where the channel flows under the Powerhouse road. A gravel access
road follows the channel to the confluence with Illecillewaet
River.
TIMING: End of August to end of
September
TIPS: Polaroid sun glasses provide
better viewing of the fish and often one can view Black Bears
in the channel feeding on the dying Kokanee.
Gerrard
WHAT TO SEE: Spawning Gerrard Rainbow Trout from Kootenay
Lake
WHERE: The Gerrard spawning grounds are situated within
the Goat Range Provincial Park at the start of the Lardeau River
or outlet of Trout Lake.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: Travel north from Kaslo on Hwy
31 approximately 41 km to Meadow Creek; there the pavement ends
and a gravel road begins following the Lardeau River for about
1 hour to the south end of Trout Lake, and the spawning site.
From Revelstoke travel south for approximately 50 km on Hwy 23.
Cross the ferry and go east on Hwy 31 for a half-hour to Beaton.
After Beaton, continue on Hwy 31 for one hour to old settlement
of Gerrard, and the spawning site. There is good viewing of spawning
fish from the bridge that crosses the Lardeau River at the Gerrard
site as well as a viewing platform close to the bridge on the
east shore.
TIMING: Third week in April to mid May. In the last five
years the peak of the spawning run has occurred in the last week
in April.
TIPS: Polaroid sunglasses enhance fish viewing immensely.
Bring a camera as these large fish often breach.
Hill Creek
WHAT TO SEE: Kokanee Spawning Channel
WHERE: Near Galena Bay on the Upper Arrow Lake. Travel
north from Nakusp or travel south from Revelstoke. Follow the
signs and turn off Hwy 31 to Trout Lake for 8 km then turn onto
the Hill Creek Road. The channel turnoff is about 2 km.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: A paved road leads to a gravel
road around the spawning channel. An information kiosk is at the
spawning channel showing the life cycle of Kokanee and details
about the spawning channel. Information signs are posted at each
viewing location.
TIMING: End of August to end of September for viewing
spawning kokanee in the channel
Kikomun Creek
WHAT TO SEE: Spawning Kokanee.
WHERE: Kikomun Creek crosses
the Jaffray/Baynes Lake Road approximately 14 km south of Jaffray.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: From Jaffray
on Highway #3 travel 14 km south on the Jaffray/Baynes Lake Road.
Spawning kokanee stack up behind the culvert on the main road.
This is an unorganized viewing opportunity with no facilities.
TIMING: Mid-September to mid-October.
Peak of spawning generally occurs during the last week of September.
TIPS: Polaroid sunglasses cut the glare on the water and
will aid in viewing spawning fish. Watch out for Grizzly and Black
bears that may be feeding on spawning kokanee along the creek.
Kokanee Creek
WHAT TO SEE: Kokanee Spawning Channel
WHERE: West Arm of Kootenay Lake approximately 16 km east
of Nelson along Hwy 3A between Nelson and Balfour.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: This channel is located within
the Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. Vehicle access is via a paved
road through the park to the nature house parking lot. Pathways
are available around the spawning channel, some of which are paved
for spawning kokanee viewing. The paved pathways provide good
wheel chair access.
TIMING: Second week in August to mid September
Kootenay Trout Hatchery
WHAT TO SEE: Kootenay Trout
Hatchery
WHERE: 45 km east of Cranbrook
on the Fort Steele-Wardner Road
ACCESS and FACILITIES: Provincial
Trout Hatchery with a tour and educational area. Tour guide available
May 1 to Labour Day. From Labour Day to April 30 self guided tours.
Wheelchair access, washrooms and picnic tables.
TIMING: Open year around 7 days
a week 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (FREE)
TIPS: Great for kids (kids can feed the fish in the moat).
Meadow Creek
WHAT TO SEE: Meadow Creek
Spawning Channel
WHERE: Near Meadow Creek,
B.C.
Travel along Hwy 31 north of Kaslo to Meadow Creek. Follow
the signs at Meadow Creek where you turn off Hwy 31 and travel
approximately 4 km to the spawning channel.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: An information
kiosk is located near the top end of the channel showing the life
cycle of kokanee and details about the channel. A dirt road goes
around the channel for good viewing.
TIMING: End of August to the end
of September
TIPS: Occasionally Black Bears may be seen in and around
the channel so watch out for the bears and, at times, mosquitoes
can be annoying!
Premier Lake
WHAT TO SEE: Spawning RainbowTtrout
WHERE: Staples Creek within
Premier Lake Provincial Park.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: The Premier
Lake turn-off is approximately 50 km north of Cranbrook on Highway
93/95. Turn east off the highway just north of Skookumchuck and
follow the signs to Premier Lake Provincial Park. A viewing trail
parallels the lower portion of Staples Creek.
TIMING: mid-May to mid-June
TIPS: Polaroid sunglasses cut the glare on the water and
will aid in viewing spawning fish.
Redfish Creek
WHAT TO SEE: Kokanee Spawning Channel
WHERE: West Arm of Kootenay Lake approximately 24 km east
of Nelson along Hwy 3A between Nelson and Balfour.
ACCESS and FACILITIES: An information kiosk showing the
life cycle of kokanee and details of the spawning channel is available
(if you are heading east turn right just before the Hwy 3A bridge
crossing Redfish Creek). From the information kiosk access to
the spawning channel is via a foot bridge across Redfish Creek
leading to pathways around the channel.
TIMING: Second week in August to mid September
Slocan
WHAT TO SEE: Resident Rainbow
Trout
WHERE: Slocan River at the
outlet of Slocan Lake
ACCESS and FACILITIES: Travel north
on Hwy 6 up the Slocan Valley or south from New Denver to Slocan
City. Go into Slocan City to the outlet of Slocan Lake. Viewing
of the spawning rainbow trout is from a footbridge across the
river near the outlet of the lake downstream to the Hwy Bridge.
TIMING: Spawning time varies from
year to year however, they are generally on the gravel areas from
mid April to mid May
TIPS: Polaroid sunglasses cut the glare on the water and
aid immensely in viewing the fish.
Whiteswan Lake
WHAT TO SEE:
Spawning channel for Rainbow Trout.
WHERE:
The spawning channel is located in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park
between Alces and Whiteswan Lakes.
ACCESS and FACILITIES:
The Whiteswan Lake turn-off is approximately 70 km north of
Cranbrook on Highway 93/95. Turn east off the Highway and follow
the signs to Whiteswan Provincial Park at km 24 of the Whiteswan
Forest Road. Watch for logging trucks on this gravel road especially
in the narrow canyon section. There is an undeveloped path along
the spawning channel.
TIMING: Second
week of May to first week in June. Peak of spawning generally
occurs during the last week of May.
TIPS: Polaroid sunglasses cut the glare
on the water and will aid in viewing spawning fish. Stay back
from the stream bank and view fish from a distance so you will
not disturb them. Watch out for Black Bears that may be feeding
on fish along the spawning channel.
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