Fish Camp
Rock Island Fish Camp is a family run fish camp on Rock Island Lake, an hour and a half north of Kamloops in British Columbia. Six log cabins, home cooked meals if you want them, and wild Kamloops trout in a string of lakes most people have never heard of. This page covers everything you need to know before you come up.
The camp sits on Rock Island Access Road near Little Fort, British Columbia, up on the Nehalliston Plateau at about 4,200 feet. From Kamloops it is roughly an hour and a half north on Highway 5, then east on Highway 24 and up the access road. Watch for the yellow fish signs.
The last stretch is forest service road. It is fine for a normal vehicle in summer, but take it slowly and give yourself daylight for the first trip up.
Open driving directions in Google Maps
The camp is open from May 25 to September 25. Off season runs October 1 to May 19.
Every part of the season fishes differently up here. Early season, right after ice off, the fish are shallow and aggressive. Through the heat of midsummer they move deeper and the walk in lakes come into their own. September brings cooler water and some of the best fishing of the year, with almost nobody around.
Every lake we fish holds one species: the famous wild Kamloops trout. Not stocked, not tame. You have to hook one to understand why people call them wild. They will dance for you.
Rock Island Lake itself is right in front of the cabins. Beyond it is a series of walk in lakes between 5,000 and 5,500 feet, some a short stroll from camp, others a short drive and a walk. They are ideal float tube water and you will usually have them to yourself.
The lakes are not all the same. Some are deep volcanic holes, some are shallow beaver dams. Water ranges from gin clear to marl bottomed to dark tea coloured lily pad ponds. That variety is the reason people keep coming back for decades rather than seasons.
Bring your own rods and tackle. We keep a good selection of flies at the lodge that are known to work on these lakes, which saves you guessing. A float tube or small boat opens up far more water, and a life jacket is essential.
You need a British Columbia freshwater fishing licence to fish here. Everyone aged 16 and over must carry one, residents and visitors alike. Children under 16 do not need a licence, though non resident kids need to be fishing with someone who holds one.
We do not sell licences at the camp. Buy yours online before you leave home, because there is no signal once you are up here.
Buy a BC freshwater fishing licence from the Province of British Columbia
Six log cabins, all set up for housekeeping. Each one has a propane cook top, a wood stove, cooking and eating utensils, towels and cold running water. Firewood and kindling are at your door and there is an unlimited supply of ice for your coolers.
Showers, flush toilets and hot water are centrally located, in three newly renovated private rooms with on demand hot water.
You can take a virtual tour of every cabin before you book.
All rates are per person, per day, in Canadian dollars, plus 5% GST.
| Plan | What is included | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| American Plan | Breakfast, bagged lunch, dinner with dessert | $225 |
| Modified Plan | Evening meals with dessert | $175 |
| Breakfast Plan | Full breakfast | $175 |
| Housekeeping | No meals, cook for yourself | $125 |
| Children 7 to 12 | Any plan | Half price |
| Children under 6 | Any plan | Free |
The whole camp can be booked exclusively for up to 25 guests at $2,000 per day, on top of the per person plan rates.
A 20% deposit holds your booking, payable by e-transfer. We accept cash, cheque or e-transfer. Cancel more than 60 days before arrival for a full refund. Cancel between 60 and 30 days and half the deposit comes back. Inside 30 days the deposit is not refunded.
There is no cell signal and no wifi at the lake. For most people that turns out to be the best part of the week. Your phone becomes a camera and a flashlight and not much else.