Kokanee trout are luring anglers to a pair of Vancouver Island lakes. (Image Credit: Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.)

By Ian Holmes

fishing season

Nanaimo-area lake stocked with popular freshwater Sockeye

Apr 4, 2026 | 5:52 AM

NANAIMO — While Rainbow trout is the primary restocking species for Vancouver Island lakes, an increasingly popular type of fish is gaining notoriety. 

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. has been busy topping up nearly 60 Vancouver Island lakes, with Duncan-based Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery manager Tristan Robbins stating about 175,000 catchable-sized trout are delivered annually. 

Over the last several years, Kokanee trout, the freshwater version of Sockeye salmon, have been stocked at two Vancouver Island lakes, including Shelton Lake in the Nanaimo Lakes area. 

A freshly caught Kokanee trout, which is the land-locked version of the iconic pacific Sockeye salmon.

Robbins said the sought-after red meat of Kokanee trout draws lake anglers specifically seeking the species.

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“We put just shy of 6,000 Kokanee fry into Beavertail Lake (west of Campbell River) and 1,800 Kokanee fry into Shelton Lake each spring, but with regards to the density that are in those lakes right now I can’t comment on that,” Robbins told NanaimoNewsNOW. 

He said Kokanee trout thrive naturally in several Vancouver Island lakes, but said they tend to not grow too large. 

However, as part of the re-stocking program at Shelton and Beavertail lakes, Robbins said a provincial fertilization program establishes robust habitat for Kokanee trout to flourish.

“…which is creating a lot of food for these Kokanee and now we’re hearing reports of Kokanee upwards of 35 centimetres in those two lakes. They’re a land-locked Sockeye, nice red meat, beautiful silver colourization to them and great fun to catch.” 

Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. representatives began re-stocking several lakes on the mid-Island this month, including eight urban lakes in the Nanaimo area with thousands of Rainbow trout. 

Additional information on the society’s stocking program, including what lakes are stocked and when, can be found here. 

Robbins said the shoulder seasons are the best times for freshwater fishing since conditions are optimum for fish to feed in cooler water.

“The lakes they’re in that eight to 13 degree range right now, which is prime for Rainbow trout and a lot of species, so they’re active, they’re looking for food and the weather’s getting nice, so it’s a great time to get out and try your luck at fishing.”

Robbins said it’s crucial for anglers to purchase freshwater licenses to help establish a sustainable fishery. 

Annual licenses are in effect between April 1 and March 31 the following year. 

“100 per cent of that revenue generated from licenses goes into research, conservation, education programs and the stocking program,” Robbins said.

Rainbow trout have been piped into eight Nanaimo Lakes recently: Brannen, Westwood, Long, Diver, Green and all three Colliery dams. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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