Pinaus Lake is north of Kelowna, located a short drive past Falkland. The lake has good rainbow trout fishing, is well-stocked, and is a good lake for lure fishers.

For dedicated trollers, Rod Hennig, owner of Rodney’s Reel Outdoors, suggests trollers use a 2 to 3 foot leader on the end of a Willow Leaf and use a Lyman Lure #30, which looks like a little fish. "Trout see the feathery action of the willow leaf and then see a fish chasing it and go after the fish."

Hennig notes that Pinaus Lake is heavily stocked, partly in order to compete with the perch, which are not native to this lake. Despite the competition from the perch, the trout can still be quite large. In 2015, 20,000 rainbow trout were stocked in Pinaus Lake.

Both the trout and the perch go after the insects, which means that resources are limited. Perch can be great for kids to target, because they are relatively easy to catch.

Audrey and Arvid Hoglund, hosts of Pinaus Lake Resort, say that the best time for perch fishing is the end of May. Hoglund notes that ice fishing is also successful. Try heading out from the rec site.

Into May, fly fishing for trout begins in earnest. Hoglund reccommends a ‘52 Buick or black Doc Spratley. Gear fishers should try silver colour combinations, particularly into June and July. She also suggests that shrimp and worms are usually great bait choices.

The Hoglunds maintain a fishing report page on their website, with up-to-date tips for fishing gear.

LAKE ACCESS

From Kelowna, head north along Highway 97 to Vernon, and turn left (west) onto Highway 97, just past Swan Lake. Follow this highway to Ingram Road on the left (south), about 10 km past Falkland.

Pinaus Lake is about nine kilometres along Ingram Road, emerging at the western end of the lake. There is a second access road to Pinaus Lake, along Old Pinaus Road, but it is not maintained and requires 4WD.

Pinaus Lake Resort is located at the west end of the lake, and has eleven rustic cabins. To find out more about the resort, visit their website www.PinausLake.com. There is a recreation site a few kilometres along the road. It has capacity for 25 vehicles, and has a boat launch. Site is accessible by 2WD.