Little smallmouth at the moth of the canal

Largest fish I have ever caught!! 7 lbs 26 inches. Beauty!

Skaha Lake is at the southern end of Penticton. Its proximity to the town means that it can be a busy lake, as it is popular for all kinds of water activities. It is an excellent family lake, with beaches and recreational areas in many spots. Despite the pressure from non-fishing activities, the bass fishing in Skaha Lake is great. In fact, the World Fishing Network’s Jessie Martin calls Skaha Lake the third best bass lake in Western Canada. In September, 2012, a bass derby was held on Skaha Lake for the first time. The OK Classic, as it was called, was a popular event, and helped to cement the lake’s reputation as a premier bass lake. The south end and the weeds along the eastern shores are ideal bass hangouts. Along with bass, kokanee inhabit Skaha Lake. Generally kokanee tend to go after smaller lures, and if you’re trolling, slower is better. Red and silver can be good colour combinations. Consult the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulations before heading out. There are speed restrictions or “no vessels” (as buoyed and signed), in various locations. If you’re familiar with Skaha Lake, head to the Angler’s Atlas website and tell our members all about it! The lake page for Skaha at anglersatlas.com is the place to post stories, tips, photos and videos. Add your markers to the lake for everything from hazards to hotspots. LAKE ACCESS Easy access to Skaha Lake is along the western shores of the lake, on Highway 97. Alternately, Lakeside Road, on the east side, leads past Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park. This is a day-use area known for its hiking and climbing opportunities. Road access to this park is closed between mid-November and the beginning of March. There are several campgrounds surrounding Skaha Lake, and even more accommodation options in Penticton. There are camping and day-use areas in the towns of Kaleden and Okanagan Falls as well.

KayAK launch

Good lake can blow up sudenly