The Top Bass Fishing Spots in Western Canada - #3

Skaha Lake

Penticton, BC
Size: 2010 Hectares (4967 acres)
Max Depth: 187 feet
Average Depth: 85 feet
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass (few)
Other Species: Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Brown Bullhead, Kokanee Salmon, Largescale Sucker, Northern Pikeminnow.
Size: Average
Numbers: Good

Skaha Lake, sandwiched between Penticton and Okanagan Falls, is a beautiful, deep lake known best for its recreation opportunities. While fishing on Skaha is popular, jetskis, wakeboarding boats, and party barges rule the lake in the summer months. Anglers looking to put a boat on the lake will do best from Penticton Marina (aka Yamaha Marina) at the northeast extremity of the lake. There are also adequate launches for power boats in Kaledan (midway down the west side of the lake), and at the very south end in Okanagan Falls.

Looking for tackle? Canadian Tire in Penticton is the best bet locally, but if you are coming from the north, Trout Waters Supplies in Kelowna is a great place to gear up. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff are more than willing to help you out. Coming from the south? Osoyoos Home Hardware is another excellent place to get rigged up for a day or weekend on Skaha.

Smallmouth bass rule Skaha Lake. These foreign transplants were legally stocked by BC Fisheries in Skaha Lake to provide sport-fishing opportunities and have really taken to the local waters. Fish from 0.5 to 3 pounds are common throughout the lake with bigger fish possible. A club tournament in 2005 yielded a 6 pound 8 ounce specimen, and I've personally witnessed a couple others pushing 6 pounds.

The end result of a tripleheader of Skaha smallies.

Guiding on Skaha Lake has always been a treat for me, as I can usually guarantee my clients steady action including a few good-sized fish per day. No special skill is needed to catch these eager fish, as once you locate them they are often willing biters.

Anglers heading out to Skaha should invest in the following:
- 6'6" medium-action spinning rod with 8 to 12 pound test
- a selection of tube baits and matching jig-heads
- rubber worms, worm hooks and worm weights
- a variety of crankbaits
- topwater poppers for when the fish are feeding on the surface

Make sure to adhere to posted signs and buoys on the lake as there are a few hazardous spots on Skaha, including where the Okanagan River flows in at the north end, and a large main-lake shoal at the south end.

Looking to benefit from some local knowledge and have a great time battling these hard-fighting fish?

Shoot me an email at [email protected] to book a charter on this beautiful lake.

Thanks for reading!