Where: Highway 3B, 10.5 km north of Trail, BC Canada
Coordinates: 49.1758568, -117.7179417
When: All seasons
Access: East
Main Species: Rainbow trout
The Birchbank Picnic Grounds is an easily accessible and beautiful spot to go fishing on the Columbia River. There is a lot of water to fish, and a lot of paths for a scenic walk.
To get to the fishing hole, drive 10.5 km north of Trail, then turn right on to Birchbank Station Road. Follow the paved road for roughly 2 kilometres and you will come upon on the picnic grounds. From here you will want to park at end of road or by the railway tracks.
There are several paths that will lead you on a short walk down to the river. Cross the railway tracks, pick a path, and make your decent to the water. As you near the river bank you will pass through a wide stand of birch trees. Here you will often see Osprey and Bald Eagles perched high in the trees scanning the water for a plump juicy trout.
Once there, you will find there is a lot of river to fish. Just walk along the shoreline and pick out one of the many runs and eddies and chuck your line in. This fishing hole is user friendly to all types of fishing, whether spin casting, fly fishing or bottom-bait fishing. There is a lot of good water, and a lot of ways to fish it.
The picnic grounds often host weddings, socials gatherings, and other events. At times in both summer and fall the grounds can become fairly busy. In winter there is very little activity, so it is a great place to go as the road is maintained and the grounds are quiet.
For a great day of adventure, you can play a round of golf at one of the two local courses in the morning, then hit the picnic grounds in the afternoon for a nice picnic. If golf’s not your game, try a round of disc golf course at Oasis. It’s just a short distance south of the picnic grounds. In the late afternoon you will want to head down to the water when large trout start their feeding frenzy as they rise to devour the emerging caddis and mayflies.
About our fishing hole sponsor
Redstone Resort. If golf’s your game, make sure to take in a few rounds at Redstone Resort’s “Les Furber Signature Course” designed by the renown Canadian architect in beautiful Rossland BC. This alpine golf course offers visitors stunning views, incredible greens and masterfully contoured fairways that all make Redstone unique and fun to play.
