F
OR T R E S S L A K E R E T R E A T,
B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A, C A N A D A
Brook Trout were originally stocked into Fortress Lake
by National Park biologists based out of Alberta in the early 1930s. The
strain is the genetically pure Lake Nipigon "Coasters" from Eastern
Canada - the world record strain. Fortress Lake is a very productive mountain lake, teeming with
shrimp and other invertebrates. The typical weight of brook
trout caught in Fortress Lake is 3 to 7 pounds. Growth rates are
exceptional as forage is heavy in given areas of the lake. The lake record is 11.5
pounds. While these are not terribly long trout, most in the 17
to 24 inch range, they grow in
the shape of footballs, are very heavy, and use their weight to put on a
great fight. Few trout under 2 pounds are caught, these being less
than a year and a half old. Fisheries research shows that these brook trout put on
approximately 2 pounds in their second year, hence, the majority of fish
caught will be much larger than 2 pounds - typically in the 3 to 5 pound
range with much larger possible.
"The
brook trout are amongst the largest on the continent"
~ Conde Nast Traveler magazine
Brookies are the only fish in
Fortress Lake or in the upper
Wood River, which flows out of Fortress. You’ll soon see why Tv shows like "Adventures North" and "The New Fly Fisher" call this the
finest brook trout fishery in western North America.
"On
more than one occasion we would be caught gazing at the splendor that
surrounded us. It was fly fishing in a post card, and we had the entire lake to
ourselves for the balance of the week. Was this fly fishing
heaven?"
~ Canadian Fly Fisher Magazine (Phil Rowley)
Brook Trout were originally stocked into Fortress Lake
by National Park biologists based out of Alberta in the early 1930s. The
strain is the genetically pure Lake Nipigon "Coasters" from Eastern
Canada - the world record strain. Fortress Lake is a very productive mountain lake, teeming with
shrimp and other invertebrates. The typical weight of brook
trout caught in Fortress Lake is 3 to 7 pounds. Growth rates are
exceptional as forage is heavy in given areas of the lake. The lake record is 11.5
pounds. While these are not terribly long trout, most in the 17
to 24 inch range, they grow in
the shape of footballs, are very heavy, and use their weight to put on a
great fight. Few trout under 2 pounds are caught, these being less
than a year and a half old. Fisheries research shows that these brook trout put on
approximately 2 pounds in their second year, hence, the majority of fish
caught will be much larger than 2 pounds - typically in the 3 to 5 pound
range with much larger possible.
