Fishing

Fishing is allowed at the CVWMA. A fishing permit from the CVWMA is required in addition to a provincial fishing licence. 

A fishing permit is $10 and is valid for 13 months – from March 1st to March 31st. 

Note that if you like, both a hunting and fishing permit can be purchased together for a discounted price through the options below.

A fishing permit can be obtained in the following ways:

1. Purchase online through our secure server
2. Download a fishing permit form and mail it in to us with payment 
3. In person at our Administration Building

Children require a CVWMA fishing permit if they require their own fishing license under provincial rules and regulations.

There are 17 known species of fish in the ponds, channels, rivers, creek and lakes of the CVMWA. 

The main species that are fished for are the large mouth bass and yellow perch in the ponds, channels and Duck Lake and trout in the Kootenay River.  Duck Lake boasts some of the best large mouth bass fishing in BC. The bass in an introduced species in the area.

A bathymetric survey of Duck Lake took place in 2012 to determine the underwater contours of the lake.  Please feel free to downlaod the Duck Lake Contour Map.

FISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please adhere to the following rules and regulations when fishing on the CVWMA property:

1. A fishing permit must be obtained from the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Authority.
2. All applicable provincial Freshwater Fishing Rules & Regulations apply.
   See current “Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis“.  
3. NO ATV access.  Vehicle access is permitted in designated areas only (Duck Lake dykes). Please see CVWMA Access Map for details.
4. Non-motorized boats are allowed. Motorized boats are restricted to 10 horsepower or less (except on Kootenay River where any horsepower is permitted) and are prohibited from Duck Lake Unit and the Recreation Area around Wildlife Interpretation Centre
5. Leave No Trace – Minimize your impact on the environment by treading lightly. Please pack out what you pack in!

Download a printable version of the CVWMA’s Fishing Rules and Regulations here.

 

Duck Lake Boat Access details: If you want to access Duck Lake at Sirdar, where you can launch a boat as well as store a boat with a valid permit (limited annual permits available), you must drive along Highway 3A and access the area at the town of Sirdar, off the HWY at ‘Sirdar Pub’ and across the train tracks – there you will find a parking lot and information Kiosk. There is no vehicle access directly to the lake shore, boats must be carried/wheeled from the parking lot down a moderate incline trail approx. 150 meters.