Osprey and Link Lakes are popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Located west of Summerland, these lakes offer year-round fishing opportunities. Osprey and Link Lakes are an excellent choice for fishing in the heat of the mid-summer. Their higher elevation keeps the lakes from suffering through the summer doldrums. Trout up to 7 pounds have been known to come out of Osprey Lake. Savas Koutsantonis at Trout Waters Fly and Tackle offers several tips for fishing these lakes. Light gear works best here. Head deep and work the many shoals throughout these lakes with a Willow Leaf and small dark coloured spoons or spinning lures. Lures such as Dick Nite, Blue Fox, Mepps and Wedding Bands work well. Fly fishers will find that leeches and dragonfly nymph patterns can be productive. Also, Koutsantonis notes that chironomids rise during the day. Again, shoal areas are prime locations, going deep as the temperatures rise. Evening hatches make this lake worth the trip. Koutsantonis says that a Tom Thumb is a great choice for fishing later in the day. Osprey Lake is the largest of the two lakes and the easiest to access. Shore fishing is made easy with good trail access. The west end of the lake is a popular spot for trout feeding on the abundant aquatic insects. Fly fishers in the spring, with chironomids, will concentrate at the narrow of the lake and east end. There are two boat launches on Osprey Lake, one in front of Osprey Lake Retreat B&B, which also offers boat rentals. The 5-vehicle recreation site on the north end of Osprey Lake also has a steep boat launch. Link Lake has a 3-vehicle recreation site with a cartop boat launch. Stop by Trout Waters Fly and Tackle for more information about fishing these lakes. Their new store is guaranteed to have everything you need from tackle to tips! LAKE ACCESS From Kelowna, head south on Hwy 97 to Summerland, then turn west onto Summerland-Princeton road. Follow for nearly 50 km to Osprey Lake. For Link Lake follow the road further.

Osprey Lake has been

Osprey Lake has been the main consistent lake in the region for ice fishing. Another good place to try is Link Lake, as it has also been steady this winter. For more tips, drop by Trout Waters Fly and Tackle at Suite C-2280 Leckie Rd in Kelowna, or visit us on line at www.troutwaters.ca. New location opening soon!

Ice fishing begins

Trout are being caught in the one and half to two pound range. One angler reported a monster fish nibble at his line - guessing at six pounds. Popular lures are jigs, and for the fly fishers - a balance leech. Power bait and worms also working. Good depth to try is 18 to 20 feet depths, but sometimes the shallows also produce good results. For more tips, drop by Trout Waters Fly and Tackle at Suite C-2280 Leckie Rd in Kelowna, or visit us on line at www.troutwaters.ca

The ice should be de

The ice should be decent on Osprey Lake generally sometime in the first 2 weeks of January. Not time to go out just yet, still uncertain about the ice.

Osprey Lake Retreat B&B

Forestry Canpsite

Turn onto Link Lake road from the Princeton Summerland Road to reach boat launch area.

Osprey Lake Retreat at your service

Hi, my name is Bruce Merit and I run the Osprey Lake Retreat B&B. I'm an avid fly fisherman, I know the Osprey & Link lakes very well and have good knowledge of the surrounding area. I tie local killer flies and am happy to give you any local information that you might need. Just e-mail me @ [email protected] or check out my website www.ospreylakeretreat.ca or call me direct at 250 295-6166. I would be happy to answer any questions you have! Tight lines and good luck. Bruce Merit Osprey Lake Retreat