Stillwater · Volcanic · British Columbia, CA

Tunkwa Lake

22-11 Circle Route 10

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
Balanced Leech · 8–12
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
49% confidence
limited data

Tunkwa Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 7 km/hLight breeze
Today's fly
Balanced Leech
Balanced Leech8–12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Light breeze
SW 7 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
WaveRipple
Water temp4.0°C
Air temp-3°C
CloudClear
Pressure1017 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Spring (ice-off through June) and autumn; tougher in the midsummer heat.
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

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Boat — drift

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

Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 2 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · October 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
2
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
CH
Chironomid
12–16 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
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
66%
Cloud25%
Wind100%
Temp60%

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
Gallery · 2
  1. 22-11 Circle Route 10
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

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 (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 May → 30 November
Related guides
Thermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts
At a glance

Tunkwa Lake is a lake in British Columbia — Thompson-Nicola (Logan Lake area), Canada. Its recorded elevation is about 1,158 m above sea level and the catchment geology is volcanic. The species listed for this water is rainbow trout. The trout season is recorded as running from 1 May to 30 November. Best window recorded for anglers: Spring (ice-off through June) and autumn; tougher in the midsummer heat. Core methods listed: Chironomid fishing under an indicator; Stripping leeches and scuds; Dry fly to chironomid emergence. Nearby waters in our listings include Lac le Jeune at 29 km, Thompson River at 41 km and Stump Lake at 45 km.