Kootenay River

River Kootenay Rockies Crown Land (Free)

About this spot

Kootenay River is a river located in the Kootenay Rockies area of British Columbia. This waterbody sits on British Columbia Crown land open to anglers holding a valid BC fishing licence. British Columbia's rivers and streams provide excellent fishing for Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Location

Fish Species

No species reported for this spot yet.

Winter fishing on Kootenay River

Kootenay River is in fishing Region 4 (Kootenay). BC has no separate ice fishing season, so the regular rules apply through the ice: the 2025-2027 synopsis lists rules of its own for this water, shown below, on top of the regional quotas.

Kootenay River (downstream of Idaho border) (downstream of Idaho border) · MU 4-7, 4-8

No Fishing from CPR Bridge near Creston downstream 2 km to navigation dolphin
Downstream from the Idaho border to CPR Bridge near Creston and from Corra Linn Dam to the Columbia River: EXEMPT from Apr 1-June 14 closure AND from Nov 1-Mar 31 trout/char catch and release
Burbot catch and release from Idaho border near Creston to Kootenay Lake, including tributaries to that part
Walleye daily quota = 16 from the Brilliant Dam to the confluence with the Columbia River
From the Brilliant Dam to the confluence with the Columbia River: northern pike and bass daily quota = unlimited

Kootenay River (upstream of Koocanusa Reservoir) (upstream of Koocanusa Reservoir) · MU 4-2, 4-21, 4-22, 4-24, 4-25, 4-35

Bait ban all year
Trout/char catch and release, Nov 1-Mar 31
Burbot catch and release upstream of the Montana border
Upstream of Koocanusa Reservoir to White River: EXEMPT from Apr 1-June 14 closure; trout/char daily quota = 1 (no trout under 30 cm and no bull trout under 75 cm), Apr 1-Oct 31
Upstream of White River: trout/char daily quota = 1 (no trout under 30 cm and no bull trout under 75 cm), Jun 15-Oct 31
Upstream of White River, including tributaries: Class II water when open

Region 4 daily quotas

Trout/char: 5, but not more than 1 rainbow or cutthroat trout over 50 cm, 2 from streams and 1 bull trout (Dolly Varden) of any size.
Bass: 0 quota, closed to fishing (see tables for exceptions)
Burbot: 2
Crayfish: 25

All Region 4 quotas, closed and aerated lakes →

Nearest snow station: Farron (1,230 m, 35 km away), 1 cm on November 2.

Source: BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis 2025-2027, matched to this water by name and management unit. Check in-season changes on the same page. No regulation makes ice safe: test it yourself. Ice fishing in BC guide.