Stillwater · Volcanic · British Columbia

Tunkwa Lake

Tunkwa Lake terrain map

Tunkwa is one of the richest chironomid lakes in the Kamloops region — shallow, weedy and eutrophic, it grows big, hard-fighting rainbows that feed heavily on chironomids and scuds.

Fair · Rainbow
Callibaetis Cripple · 14-16
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
48% confidence
limited data

Tunkwa Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 28 km/hModerate breeze
Today's fly
Callibaetis Cripple
Callibaetis Cripple14-16
High-confidence seasonal pick
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Moderate breeze
SW 28 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave60 cm wave
Water temp—
Air temp16°C
CloudClear
Pressure1012 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Spring (ice-off through June) and autumn; tougher in the midsummer heat.
Where
Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A

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 — at anchor

Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 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
50%
Cloud25%
Wind30%
Temp100%

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

Other water nearby · 5
Lac le Jeune
29 km
Rainbow trout
Thompson River
41 km
Steelhead
Stump Lake
45 km
Rainbow trout
Peterhope Lake
51 km
Rainbow trout
Roche Lake
52 km
Rainbow trout
About this water

Tunkwa is one of the richest chironomid lakes in the Kamloops region — shallow, weedy and eutrophic, it grows big, hard-fighting rainbows that feed heavily on chironomids and scuds. It's at its best in spring and autumn, can sulk in the midsummer heat, and is a renowned ice-fishing lake in winter. A true stillwater specialist's lake.

Under the surface

Tunkwa is a famously rich, shallow interior lake near Logan Lake that grows big, fast Kamloops rainbows on prolific chironomid and shrimp factories. Weedy and eutrophic, it can be dynamite in spring and autumn and tougher in the warm midsummer, and it's a renowned chironomid and ice-fishing lake.

Wading: Boat/float tube fishery, shallow weedy water

  • Lake
  • Volcanic
  • Stillwater
  • Shoal
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for summer fishing.
  • Terrestrials are in their seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 May → 30 November
Related guides
Thermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts