Whiteswan Lake is a high yield fishery situated on a plateau in the Kootenay Range of the Rocky Mountains in Whiteswan Provincial Park. The scenic park is a popular destination throughout the year providing excellent camping, fishing, hiking and other recreational opportunities.

The water conditions and clarity of Whiteswan are now excellent. One can see at least 10 feet into the water, which is very helpful in spotting cruising fish in the shallows. The water temperature was 53°F (11.7°C), which was also good. When it goes over 50 the fish become active.
As has been the case so far this spring, we again decided to chironomid fish. So we cruised around the one end of the lake and found a drop off ledge were we could see some fish cruising along. We set up our rods to the desired depth and positioned ourselves with the wind at our backs. We casted out the chironomid rigs and let them sink slowly down into the water column. The retrieve was a slow and deliberate with 3 pulls then a stop, then repeated again and again until retrieval was complete.
We had heard about a sizable flying ant hatch the previous Thursday on Whiteswan so we were wary the fish might have already gorged themselves and would be resting and digesting. However, we were fortunate that they were starting to eat again. Between the two of us we caught more than 20 rainbows and they all looked very healthy and strong.

The dominant hatch on the day was a smallish chironomid hatch in the afternoon. The flying ants were not very evident today. So the black, red and green chironomids all worked quite well. We also had success with the micro–leech, as well as some ant patterns.

The best fishing time typically is in the spring and fall, however, strong winds and cold weather can make it difficult and less than pleasant. The shallows at the east end of the lake is a good place to work chironomids in May and June.  In July and August, use full sink lines and troll leeches, Carey Specials, dragon and damselfly nymphs or other attractor patterns to access the depths where the trout are holding.  Hatches of mayfly and caddis occur throughout the spring and summer. On calm summer evenings, casting an Adams, Tom Thumb or humpy to cruising trout as they take flies off the surface is a very rewarding and relaxing approach.