About this spot
A 31-hectare BC recreational panning reserve on the Wild Horse River upstream of Fort Steele, near the ghost town of Fisherville. One of the storied creeks of the 1860s Kootenay rushes — coarse gold country.
Before you go
Hand panning only within the reserve; active placer claims surround it, so stay inside the marked area. Rough gravel road access. Verify current reserve boundaries and status before visiting.
Source
Described as a BC Recreational Panning Reserve in Canadian Mining & Energy magazine (miningandenergy.ca); not re-confirmed against a current official ministry map
Marked Unverified: publicly documented, but not re-confirmed against a current official source — treat the status and boundaries as unconfirmed until you check.
This guide is general information for recreational prospectors — it is not legal advice. Mining, land-access, and environmental regulations change and vary site by site. Always verify the current rules with the official sources linked above before heading out, obtain permission from private landowners and mineral-claim holders, and respect First Nations rights, settlement lands, and treaty areas — some lands require permission or are closed to panning entirely.