Roche Lake is a classic Kamloops fly-only stillwater — a rich, marl-bottomed plateau lake full of strong Kamloops-strain rainbows that key on chironomids, scuds, leeches and damsel nymphs. It fishes from ice-off in spring through the season, with the famous chironomid hatches drawing anglers to anchor over the shoals and drop-offs. Productive, scenic and quintessentially interior-BC.
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
36% confidence — limited data
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
N 6 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
Ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
11°C
Cloud
Clear
Pressure
1023 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for rainbow trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for rainbow trout
When
Ice-off (May) through June, then again in autumn; chironomid hatches are the signature.
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.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
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.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · June 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.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
5 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Roche Lake · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Roche Lake, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedRoche Lake · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Roche Lake is a classic Kamloops fly-only stillwater — a rich, marl-bottomed plateau lake full of strong Kamloops-strain rainbows that key on chironomids, scuds, leeches and damsel nymphs. It fishes from ice-off in spring through the season, with the famous chironomid hatches drawing anglers to anchor over the shoals and drop-offs. Productive, scenic and quintessentially interior-BC.
Under the surface
Roche Lake is the postcard Kamloops trout lake — a productive, marl-rich interior-plateau lake in a chain of fly-only waters southeast of the city, famous for hard-fighting Kamloops-strain rainbows that gorge on chironomids, scuds and leeches. Shallow, weedy shoal water and steady alkalinity grow fat, fast fish, and the fishing turns on the great lake hatches from ice-off through the warm months.
Wading: Boat/float tube fishery — soft margins
- Lake
- Volcanic
- Stillwater
- Shoal
Roche Lake · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Roche Lake · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 May → 30 November
Roche Lake · permits
Good to know
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Single-barbless / bait-ban / quota rules typical
- Verify current BC regs (Region 3).
Roche Lake · learn
Related guides
Learn-zone playbooks for this water
Related guides
Roche Lake
Google Places
Roche Lake is a classic Kamloops fly-only stillwater — a rich, marl-bottomed plateau lake full of strong Kamloops-strain rainbows that key on chironomids, scuds, leeches and damsel nymphs.
Species
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
36% confidence — limited data
Conditions
Wind
N 6 km/h
Light breeze
Wave
Ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
11°C
Cloud
Clear
Pressure
1023 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
66%
Cloud25%
Wind100%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for rainbow trout
When
Ice-off (May) through June, then again in autumn; chironomid hatches are the signature.
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.
Why this score
- Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June 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.
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Single-barbless / bait-ban / quota rules typical
- Verify current BC regs (Region 3).
Directions
About this water
Roche Lake is a classic Kamloops fly-only stillwater — a rich, marl-bottomed plateau lake full of strong Kamloops-strain rainbows that key on chironomids, scuds, leeches and damsel nymphs. It fishes from ice-off in spring through the season, with the famous chironomid hatches drawing anglers to anchor over the shoals and drop-offs. Productive, scenic and quintessentially interior-BC.
Under the surface
Roche Lake is the postcard Kamloops trout lake — a productive, marl-rich interior-plateau lake in a chain of fly-only waters southeast of the city, famous for hard-fighting Kamloops-strain rainbows that gorge on chironomids, scuds and leeches. Shallow, weedy shoal water and steady alkalinity grow fat, fast fish, and the fishing turns on the great lake hatches from ice-off through the warm months.
Wading: Boat/float tube fishery — soft margins
- Lake
- Volcanic
- Stillwater
- Shoal
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 May → 30 November
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Roche Lake is a classic Kamloops fly-only stillwater — a rich, marl-bottomed plateau lake full of strong Kamloops-strain rainbows that key on chironomids, scuds, leeches and damsel nymphs. It fishes from ice-off in spring through the season, with the famous chironomid hatches drawing anglers to anchor over the shoals and drop-offs. Productive, scenic and quintessentially interior-BC.
Other water nearby · 5
Related guides