ROSE LAKE
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Located just 45 minutes out of Kamloops in the Roche Lake provincial park, Rose Lake is amongst several great trout fishing lakes that are grouped closely together.
Rose Lake is a beauty. The fishing in Rose Lake from spring to late fall is unreal. The lake has good numbers of both eastern brook trout and rainbow trout that can grow to five pounds. I have personally caught a rainbow weighing 4.6 pounds and a large brook trout weighing in at 3.4 pounds. It is an easy lake to drive to, but unfortunately lacks good shore access for casting, it can be done but is difficult. I wish that this lake had a fishing dock but it does not.
stocking
-1000 female triploid eastern brook trout fry each year
-500 triploid rainbow trout each year (spring catchables)
Boat launching is also a little difficult, but if you can manage it, it is by far the best way to fish Rose Lake. There are two potential places to launch a car top boat, one at either end of the lake. One end requires a drive down a short, rough, and sometimes muddy road. When the water is low, you may find that getting your boat through the very shallow water and thick muddy bottom is not possible. On the other end of the lake, there is less mud and deeper water to launch in, but you will have to carry your boat across Roche Lake road to launch because the road runs right beside the potential launch area.
The lake has an aeration system that keeps oxygen in the lake through the long winter months when the lake is frozen. This is also something to watch out for while ice fishing because it can cause thin ice.
DID YOU KNOW?
On "Youth/Disabled Accompanied Waters" an authorized angler may now be accompanied by up to two companion anglers.
Rose Lake is a designated Youth/Disabled Accompanied lake between April 1 - September 30. Youth/Disabled Accompanied Waters are lakes that only permit fishing for children under the age of 16 and for BC residents who have a disability. In the past, fishing was restricted to only these individuals, but now up to two companions may also fish along with an "authorized angler." Companions may include friends and parents. Of course, restrictions may change, and fishers should keep up to date by checking the regulations before fishing.
To get to Rose Lake from Kamloops you will travel south on Hwy 5a for about 20 km until you reach the Roche Lake road. Roche Lake road is gravel but is generally well maintained. You will encounter a few potholes as well as some washboard, but nothing a car can't handle. Rose Lake is right beside Roche Lake road.
There are no picnic tables, and camping is not permitted at Rose Lake but there are several camping spots close by at Roche Lake, Bleeker Lake, and Horseshoe Lake to name a few.
Small spinners such as Blue Fox, Panther Martin as well as others seem to be the best, much like close by Tulip Lake. When my kids are fishing with me I rarely put a line in myself, because I am too busy netting the kids' fish. Many times we have lost count of how many fish we caught in one outing.
GETTING THERE
Directions to Rose Lake. Click to enlarge.
Rose Lake is a 45 minute drive from Kamloops. 30 minutes south on hwy 5a, and 15 minutes on Roche Lake road.
Rose Lake is a very small lake. Its perimeter is less than 1 km and at its deepest reaches 14 feet.
Don't let the size of the lake fool you, there is still some big fish in that little lake!
Rose Lake depth chart. Click image to enlarge or download the PDF.
PHOTO GALLERY
