We usually paddle the rivers for a while before ice is off the lakes.     We can launch from Pioneer Park, Riverside Park, Valleyview Boat Launch, and from some hand launch sites in Westsyde.    The ice comes off Kamloops Lake first, along with Little Shuswap Lake.    Since these are bigger lakes, we wait for a calm, mild day.

Not long afterward, there are more lakes to paddle.    Nicola and Stump Lake are good for a day without strong winds.    Trapp Lake is often one of the first ice-free lakes.     White Lake is open about the same time.   In mid-April we can usually paddle Jacko Lake, Inks Lake, Pat Lake, and Morgan Lake.     The fisherman also are keen on starting their year on Jacko, Pat, and Morgan so we look for non-prime times.   Paul Lake and Louis Lake open up, as well as others, but the gates sometimes remain closed so access may wait for a later date.

A probable itinerary will be:

• March – South Thompson, Thompson, and North Thompson River.
• Early April – Kamloops Lake, Trapp Lake, Nicola Lake, Little Shuswap Lake, White Lake, and Stump Lake.
• Later in April – Pat and Morgan, Jacko, Louis Lake, and Paul Lake.
• May – August – the rest of the area lakes.

We will paddle when we can in March, then 2-3 times a week from April through to early November, dodging unfavorable conditions (those become a day to hike instead.      See you on the water!