Vaseaux Lake

Vaxeaux Lake looking South

Vaseaux Lake looking North

Vaseaux Lake - young fisherman

I had to stop to take this picture at Vaseaux Lake, for this is what it is all about, sharing the quiet beauty of nature with loved ones. It did not matter to this little girl that the fishing was still slow since waters were still a little cool for good fish activity. These moments will stay with her and she will be richer for each experience like this.

While I mainly fish the high country lakes it was only a matter of time until I felt the need to sample the pleasures of the lower lakes in the region. While ice will cover some of the higher lakes into May -- sometime even June if the winter is cold enough -- the lakes of the valley bottom open up much sooner and I have seen people out as early as February. Most often, though, it is in March before the numbers begin to pick up and by April fishing is in full swing.

Keep in mind that the 2009-2011 regulations show that the river and lagoons at the south end of Vaseaux Lake are included in the spring closure April 1^st to June 30^th.

The northern third of Vaseaux Lake is quite shallow with a maximum depth of perhaps 3 metres, while the middle portion drops to about 24 metres with another reasonably deep spot west of Hatfield Island. Both the east side by the highway and the west side near the old railway tracks on the southern half of the lake drop off reasonably fast. This allows easy access to better conditions for the fish.

What a selection of fish in both Vaseaux and Osoyoos Lakes! Of course we are familiar with the bass and rainbow trout, and have heard of yellow perch and whitefish. Lesser known are carp, black catfish, peamouth chub and pumpkinseed, to mention a few species. I was particularly impressed with the spunky pumpkinseed -- what a beautiful little fish it is! I can imagine a few of these filleted and in the frying pan.
A quick check of protected species shows none in this lake, but be as knowledgeable as possible and err one the safe side. The pumpkinseed is a small fish with an oval type and compressed body, which reaches up to 20 centimetres in length. The back is greenish and it has a fair amount of orange on its cheeks and sides. A couple of sharp spines made handling a bit tricky.

Yellow perch are a bit larger, reaching 30 centimetres in length. These fish are yellowish with dark bars across the back half way down the sides. Voracious feeders, they take small fish along with a diet of insects and crustaceans. Because of their prolific nature and appetite for small fish they can soon decimate an otherwise vibrant sport fishery if introduced into a new lake.

Remember that whichever fish you catch, you are required to release them unharmed unless you are going to utilize them. I know we all have our prejudices when it comes to our favourite fish. My personal favourites rainbow trout and kokanee, and I have trouble even thinking of a northern pike minnow sizzling in my pan. Yet, I know of a young lad thrilled with the taste although he thought they were trout