ROSS Lake Fishing report

Our Fish On Outfitters team recently completed a three-day, two-night fishing trip to Ross Lake, located south of Hope in beautiful Skagit Valley Provincial Park. Four anglers made the journey with one goal in mind—to explore one of British Columbia's most scenic trout fisheries.

Trip Overview

Date: July 3–5, 2026

Fishing Team: 4 anglers

Target Species:

Rainbow Trout

Eastern Brook Trout (Brookies)

Bull Trout

From Vancouver, the drive to Ross Lake takes approximately three hours. The final section follows the scenic Silver Skagit Road through Skagit Valley Provincial Park before arriving at Ross Lake Campground. The campground was noticeably busier than previous years, with many anglers and campers enjoying the long summer weekend.

Water Conditions

This year's conditions were quite different from previous seasons.

Due to reduced water releases from the Ross Dam in Washington State, the reservoir remained at an unusually high water level—one of the highest levels local anglers have seen in recent years. The higher water flooded much of the shoreline habitat, making it difficult to locate concentrated schools of trout.

Fishing Results

Despite the challenging conditions, our group successfully landed several healthy Rainbow Trout along with a few impressive Bull Trout.

Unfortunately, after three days of searching multiple areas around the lake, we were unable to locate any Eastern Brook Trout. Conversations with several experienced anglers on the lake confirmed the same pattern—most reported that fishing had been noticeably slower than in previous years.

Overall, the fishing could best be described as slow but still rewarding, especially for anglers willing to cover water and remain patient.

Camp & Lake Conditions

One thing every visitor should prepare for this summer is the mosquitoes.

Mosquito activity around Ross Lake was extremely heavy, particularly during the early morning and evening hours around the campground.

We strongly recommend bringing:

High-strength insect repellent (DEET or Icaridin)

Bug jackets or head nets

Long sleeves and lightweight pants

Thermacell or other mosquito control devices for camp

Proper bug protection will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Getting There

Destination:

Ross Lake Campground

Skagit Valley Provincial Park

British Columbia, Canada

Driving Directions

Drive east from Vancouver on Highway 1 toward Hope.

At Hope, take Exit 168 onto Flood Hope Road.

Follow Flood Hope Road south to Silver Skagit Road.

Continue approximately 60 km on the well-maintained gravel Silver Skagit Road to Ross Lake Campground.

Travel time is approximately 3 hours from Vancouver. There are no fuel stations or stores beyond Hope, so make sure to fill your gas tank and bring all necessary supplies before entering the park.

Google Maps Search:

Ross Lake Campground, Skagit Valley Provincial Park

Final Thoughts

Although fishing was slower than expected, Ross Lake remains one of British Columbia's most spectacular wilderness destinations. Towering mountains, crystal-clear water, peaceful campsites, and opportunities to catch Rainbow Trout and Bull Trout make it well worth the trip.

We'll be watching water levels closely throughout the summer and hope conditions improve as the season progresses.

If you're planning a trip to Ross Lake and need recommendations on tackle, flies, or camping gear, stop by Fish On Outfitters. We'd be happy to help you get prepared.

Tight Lines!

— Fish On Outfitters