Easily accessible and less than an hour drive southeast of Cranbrook, Baynes Lake offers great fishing opportunities for all ages. This is a medium sized lake with an average depth of approximately 20 feet, the deepest hole being about 50 feet. Please remember to check regulations as there is powerboat restriction on this lake.
Baynes Lake offers good fishing opportunities for 3 species of fish; Rainbow Trout, Large Mouth Bass and Perch. Each year the Freshwater Fishery Society of BC stocks this lake with Rainbow Trout and they are often stocked as catchable size. Fishing the shore is possible from the boat launch area but is limited due to the majority of the lake being private property. Shore fishing at Baynes Lake can be great for the kids as they have an opportunity to catch the bass that hang out along the shallow shoreline. The Bass are willing to take most of any lures, but a bobber with some bait is most likely your best choice. Though the bass are small, they make up for it by being quite aggressive and will take top water poppers quite willingly.
If you are seeking the Rainbow Trout in Baynes Lake it is best to get out on a boat, pontoon or even a belly boat. There are plenty of Rainbows to be had that typically average 1-2 pounds. However there are some trout that swim in these waters that are over 5lbs!
Spring is the best time to target the trout. If you are Fly fishing your odds are even greater as Olive green nymph and leech patterns are deadly when worked along the drop off areas. Chironomid patterns do well too!
When fishing with spinning rods the use of small Mepps or Panther Martin spinners can produce well. A good technique when trolling is to use the basic presentation of a Willow Leaf flasher and wedding ring tipped with bait.
As summer rolls in the lake starts to really warm up and the trout retreat to the deeper, cooler waters. Sinking lines or trolling will get a few fish as it allows your presentation to go deep. If the trout won’t bite there are always plenty of bass to catch that will turn a slow day around!
As it turns to fall, the trout go back to feeding and fattening up for the winter. During this time they will take leeches, nymph patterns and spinners once again. Fall also brings to this lake a great hatch, or rather the mating flight of thousands of water boatmen. If you happen to be here for this day it’s a feeding frenzy!
Ice fishing on Baynes is fairly consistent. This is when you will be most likely see the perch that call this lake their home, and some are quite large. It is not uncommon to catch all 3 species in a day of ice fishing.
While the bass and perch hang near the bottom, the trout normally stay suspended swimming between the 12 and 20 foot range and can be caught in the middle of lake. Most of your typical baits do very well, but they seem to really like the cooked shrimp rings you can purchase at most any store. Unfortunately, the trout here do not make the greatest table fare. Being such a warm and weedy lake they often develop a “muddy” taste. However, the perch and bass are excellent!
If you have any questions about fishing Baynes Lake please feel free to contact us by commenting below, we’d be very happy to help out in any way we can. Don’t forget to check us out on our BC Fishn’ Facebook page and share your photos!
Best of luck & tight lines!
Chesley Harasiuk
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