There are many Lakes on Vancouver Island, some large, some small; some natural, some man-made. They are incredibly beautiful! We have a few large ones that have some mighty big lunkers to try your angling skills out on! You will find that many of them have well-maintained camping facilities that come with boat ramps, bathrooms, & running water.
Alice Lake
The Regional District has built a campground on Alice Lake, and it’s by far the prettiest campground on the island. For camping at its finest, you must come and visit this Lake. This is a very popular campground and can get pretty busy in the summer, but there are many other great campgrounds within a short drive from here, so you should be able to find a spot at one of them. Read More….
Amor Lake
The Amor Lake is located in the Sayward Forest, which is part of the Sayward Forest Canoe Route. It is also the road-accessible spot on the lake. To reach this site, get on Highway 19 to the north island. Look a turn off to the left, just before Roberts Lake. This is the Black Water Lake Forest Road. Take this road and stay on it. It’s about 9 KM to the site. You will pass the Twin Lake Site and continue past there. Read More….
Antler Lake
Antler Lake is located about 3km from the town of Gold River. The recreational site is well looked after with picnic sites with fire pits and tables. This is a day-use site with no camping. It is a very pretty place, and you will have plenty of opportunities to view a wide variety of wildlife and birds. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Read More….
Anuntz Lake
To get to Anuntz Lake, you head up the inland island highway from Woss until you come to the Zeballos turn-off. From there, you head down the Zeballos road until you come to the main river road. Turn here and drive until you reach the Anuntz Lake recreational site turn-off. I would recommend that you use a truck, as this road can get rough. Read More….
Atluck Lake
Atluck Lake is a lovely lake that is fair in size. This is one of those great lakes of Vancouver Island, A real jewel of a lake. A lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains, nestled in a narrow valley that is filled with wildlife. The birdlife is incredible, don’t forget to bring your camera. There is a good chance you will see black bears, Roosevelt elk, blacktail deer, or any number of smaller creatures like raccoons, otters, or pine martens. Read More….
Bacon Lake
Bacon Lake is located above the north side of Upper Campbell Lake. It’s a great little lake for camping and fishing. You will get some incredible views from the area. The lake is named after H.N. Bacon, who was a guide for the province’s exploratory survey of Strathcona Park. He was the main player in the creation of Strathcona Park and guided many parties throughout the area in the early years of the park. Read More….
Battleship Lake
Battleship Lake is located in Strathcona Park, up on the beautiful Forbidden Plateau. The Plateau is covered in lakes with trails connecting them all. As you hike along these trails, you will be visited by the Whisky Jacks, or camp Robbers as they are sometimes called. Their real name is the Gray Jay, and they are so much a part of the landscape, not just here, but in all the high country of the coast. Read More….
Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake is located near the town of Port Alice. The lake is quite shallow. There are some nice trails in the area and plenty of wildlife for your camera; the birding is awesome, and you can see some of the island’s frogs and salamanders here. You will have a good chance of seeing Black Bears, Cougars, Elk, Deer, Raccoons, Pine Martins, and so many types of birds. There is a nice picnic site here. Read More….
Beavertail Lake
All camping has been stopped here; there is a great day-use area for your use. Beavertail Lake is located just off the Elk River Timber Road. You head out of Campbell River on the Gold River highway until you reach Echo Lake. Turn right onto the e.r.t road and travel for another 10 km until you reach the lake turn off to the picnic site and boat launch. Read More….
Benson Lake
Benson Lake is a small but very deep coastal mountain lake situated in the coastal western hemlock zone on the northern end of Vancouver Island. From August 1962 through January 1973, the Benson Lake Coast Copper Mine, operated by Cominco Ltd., disposed of its mine tailings by depositing them, under permit, into the deep basin of the lake. Read More….
Big Bay
Big Bay is part of Lower Campbell Lake. There are many, many places to camp here at Big Bay, and they all offer something. Some are great places to fish, others are great for swimming. Some can have large groups camp together, and most of the camping spots are free to camp at and are maintained by the BC Forest Service. Many spots can be reached by boat, which gives you complete privacy, great if you have dogs that bark. Read More….
Blackwater Lake
Blackwater Lake is long, narrow, and somewhat winding, with a range of shoreline features including reed and sedge-filled bays, rocky points, and an interesting estuary at the south end of the lake where the water from Amour Lake flows in via a short creek. Just about every time we visit this lake, we see river otters playing along the shore. Read More….
Blue Grouse Lake
Blue Grouse Lake is a small but very pretty lake located in the Oyster River watershed. The area is a great place to camp and fish. Camping is in an unimproved campsite. There is a lot of wildlife in the area, and you could see black bears, elk, deer, cougars, wolves, and many other types of smaller animals. The birdlife here is incredible, and you can see both songbirds and the raptors that hunt them. You could see several types of grouse here as well. Read More….
Brannen Lake
Brannen Lake is located just outside Nanaimo on the Nanaimo Parkway. This is an urban lake with good access. There is a youth jail situated on this lake, and access is strictly forbidden on the section of the lake that borders the jail. There is a great beach for swimming just north of the jail. There are picnic tables, a boat launch, and a very well-built wharf here for your use. The tables are in a section of big trees and have plenty of shade. Read More….
Brewster Lake
Brewster Lake is one of the biggest lakes on the Sayward Valley canoe route. This lake has numerous well-maintained campsites and boat launches for your use, plus many more campsites that are not maintained but are great for more private camping. Back in the 50s, there was a huge logging camp at the lake, hundreds of people lived here, and a lot of the people I grew up with were originally from here. Read More….
Bull Lake
The road into Tahsis can be rough, and the climb up to Bull Lake is tough on the auto but well worth the drive. When it’s raining, the road can become very slippery, so please drive carefully under these conditions. This is a very active road and can have both domestic and heavy transport vehicles running on it. Bull Lake is located on the Tahsis Road at its highest point. After the climb up the hump, it’s nice to just stop at Bull Lake and unwind before heading down the other side. Read More….
Buttle Lake
Buttle Lake is a long and deep lake. All along one side of the lake runs the Westmin Mine road. This road gives you easy access to this lake. There are numerous campgrounds all along this lake with full-use boat ramps. This lake is in Strathcona Park and has many of the park’s trails leaving from the shores of Buttle Lake. Some of these trails are on the far side of the lake, like the marble meadows trail and must be accessed by boat. The Aug Trail and Flower Ridge Trail are on the roadside of the lake. Read More….
Cameron lake
Cameron Lake is located on the Port Alberni Highway. You will find a resort, a picnic area, and a boat launch at the east end of Cameron Lake and the start of the Cathedral Grove Forest at the west end. Macmillan Provincial Park runs along the south side of the lake. The picnic area has a great beach that is an awesome place for the kids to get wet and play. Read More….
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is located on Mud Lake Road. This low-elevation lake has some great fishing for decent trout up to 40 cm in size. A recreational site with a car-top boat launch can be found on the lake. I have been coming to this lake for years and always enjoyed my time here. Take the Mud Lake Road, left, off Hwy 19 at Robert’s Lake, and follow it to Cedar Lake. Read More….
Circlet Lake
Circlet Lake is a beautiful lake found in the backcountry of Strathcona Park. This is a stocked lake. Circlet Lake is a 9 km hike one way from the trailhead at Mount Washington. The fishing picks up when the ice melts in the early summer. The lake is located in Paradise Meadows, a wonderful high country plateau with many hiking trails, both short and long, that will take you to this lake as well as many others located here. Read More….
Claud Elliott Lake
Claud Elliott Lake is located in the Claud Elliott Lake Park. The park contains two lakes, Claud Elliott Lake and Fickle Lake, both of which are popular among flyfishers. Both lakes contain fish that can reach some amazing sizes. The first time I fished at Claud Elliott Lake, I was in my teens. Still looking to get out to Fickle Lake. You reach Claud Elliott Lake from Woss, and you reach Fickle Lake by taking a spur from the Tsitika Main Line. Read More….
Comox Lake
Comox Lake is a very pretty lake with some awesome bays and shoreline forests. You can see all kinds of wildlife here, including plenty of birds. I saw a spirit deer here when l was a young man, just an awesome sight to see. It was as white as snow, and the day I saw it, it was foggy out. The spirit deer walked out of the fog and came within 3 meters of me as he walked by. I just held my breath. Read More….
Cowichan Lake
Cowichan Lake is one of the biggest and most popular lakes on Vancouver Island. This lake is 40 km long and has more than 100 km of shoreline. There are numerous campgrounds, resorts and 2 parks on the lake, plenty of beaches and lots of bluffs for diving, all in all, a wonderful lake. The towns of Youbou and Lake Cowichan are both located on Cowichan Lake. Read More….
Croteau Lake
Croteau Lake is located in Strathcona Park on Forbidden Plateau. You reach the lake by trail from the Mount Washington ski area and head into Paradise Meadows. There are many lakes here and trails to most of them. We hike up here in both summer and winter. Hiking up here is an incredible experience that can be enjoyed even by the elderly, as it is fairly level with well-built trails. I have run into people of all abilities and hiking skills here. Read More….
Darlington Lake
Darlington Lake is one of two lakes that are just past the Franklin River shop on the way to Bamfield. The other lake is Francis Lake. The Lake is only 13 hectares in size. It’s a nice little lake, though. About mid down the lake, just off the road, is a very rough campsite. There is a place to launch a car-top here, and right next to it is a fast-running creek with very cold, fresh water. Read More….
Diane Lake
Diane Lake is located in the Nimpkish Valley, not very far from Husan Lake and the well-known caves of the same name. The Nimpkesh Valley has many lakes and rivers of various sizes. Diane Lake is one of the smaller lakes; that being said, the fishing can be good on occasion, and the mountain views of the surrounding area are pretty cool to see. Read More….
Dougan Lake
Dougan Lake is one of the spots that I have always enjoyed stopping for a break when we travel down Vancouver Island. It’s a pretty lake. It is a small but well-known lake on the South Island. It is known for its fishing, particularly for Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat. It’s located near Duncan, just a few km from the community. The lake is stocked regularly, making it a popular spot for anglers, especially during March to June and September to November. It’s a relatively small lake, with a surface area of about 10 hectares. Read More….
Drum Lakes
The Drum Lakes are accessed from Highway 28 just east of Gold River. What appears to be one lake is made up of two lakes. There is parking at the trailhead, and you could put in a car-top boat there. These are nice little lakes surrounded by mountains and forests. You can view all kinds of wildlife here. Bring your camera. Lots of elk are always in the area. Read More….
Echo Lake
Echo Lake is located on Highway 28, about 8 miles up from Campbell River. At one time, there was a lodge on the shores of the lake, but it has long since burned down. Two of my schoolmates lived at the lodge when I was a young boy back in the early 60s. I always envied them. Elk River Timber had its camp 8 at the west end of the lake at the time. Read More….
Elk & Beaver Lakes
The Elk, Beaver Lake is found alongside the Pat Bay Highway north of Victoria. There are a variety of access points to these lakes. A wide channel joins the lakes together, with Beaver Lake being the southernmost lake. There is a fishing wharf along with several boat launches on the lake. These lakes are unique to Vancouver Island because they have smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, freshwater perch, and both cutthroat and rainbow trout. Read More….
Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake is located close to Port Renfrew. You use the paved Harris Creek mainline to get there. This is a pretty little lake with some awesome views. There is a very small island on the lake with a tree growing on it. This island has been photographed by so many people; it is such a beautiful little island. There is abundant wildlife for your viewing, and the fishing is quite good. Read More….
Farewell Lake
Farewell Lake is one of those lakes that, when you first see it, takes your breath away. It is such a pretty lake. It is located on Blackwater Lake Road. You can also access the lake using the lake-view road at the Roberts Lake store. Wildlife is abundant in this area, and I saw the biggest cougar I have ever seen just down the road from here, as well as large herds of elk and plenty of birds. Read More….
Forbes Landing
James Forbes was born in Wick, Scotland, and was a saddler by trade. He had lived in the USA and then did a stint in Victoria before moving to the Lower Campbell Lake area in 1910. James purchased land from the Cudahy Timber Company from their holdings in the area. James worked in the area for the timber company, along with various other jobs. Read More….
Frost Lake
Frost Lake is reached via the Rona road that crosses the Nimpkish River just below the town of Woss. If you drive through Woss and cross the Nimpkish River, you will see the Rona Cutoff road, turn left and follow this road. After a few km, you will see a pullout on the right that takes you down to the lake. There is a designated camping area here. The lake is small but very pretty. Read More….
Fry Lake
Fry Lake is a great little lake to camp at, and the fishing can be incredible. I have caught fish in the 2-plus-kilo size here. There are several good, well-maintained recreational sites on the lake and some very good hiking trails. There is also a small cave just off the road for you to discover. Look for a very small pile of rocks and head into the bush about 10 meters, look for a small hole in the ground. Read More….
Fuller Lake
Fuller Lake is quite popular for swimming, fishing, and boating (electric motors only), located just outside Chemainus. The park has an incredible beach area, lots of space for picnics, a fishing pier, a boat ramp, and full washroom facilities. Lake Park is a day-use park only. From the parking area, you walk down a grassy clearing to a beautiful but small sandy and pebbled beach. Read More….
Georgie Lake
Georgie Lake is a pretty lake with awesome views, and there is so much wildlife here. Birds are everywhere, and they seem to come in all shapes and colours. There is a sweet campground on the south end of the lake that has 5 or 6 lakeside camp sites. Plus a few spots in an outer area with room for some bigger units. There are a couple of spots at the trailhead for the Geargie Lake Trail. Read More….
Gooseneck Lake
Gooseneck Lake has always been a great fishing lake. The first time I fished this lake was in 1961. I was with my father and an old guy named Paddy. Now, Paddy knew every lake in the area of Campbell River, and he took my dad and us kids under his wing when we moved here and showed us his fishing holes; this lake was one of these. There is a rustic boat launch with camping at the lake. Read More….
Gilson Lake
Gilson Lake is one of those little jewels hidden in plain sight. I have always liked camping here or even just hanging out for a few hours to roast a wienie or a marshmallow or two. You reach this lake by driving out the Comox logging road until you come to the road to Quinsam Lake, turn here and continue until Quinsam Lake is visible. Read More….
Gray Lake
Gray Lake is between Fry Lake and Brewster Lake. This is a pretty little lake with some big fish. I pulled a 3 kg out of here several years ago. At one time, you could cross the trestle to the far side of the lake. I used to go mushrooming over there. The lake is part of the Sayward Valley canoe route. Read More….
Hairtrigger Lake
Hairtrigger Lake is one of those rare jewels of a lake. The fishing is only adequate, and the hike is a long one, but take a look, folks. It’s got to be one of the prettiest lakes on the island and a bright jewel in the crown of Strathcona Park. This is one of the premier spots on the whole plateau; the journey is worth it, and the result is incredible. Read More….
Haithe Lake
Haithe Lake is located above Sayward in the Newcastle Ridge area. You can reach the lake by taking the M Branch logging road out of the village and following it till you see the lake. There is a spur that takes you almost to the shore of the lake, which is located on the northeast side of the lake. Read More….
Hoomak Lake
Hoomak Lake is between the Sayward Valley and Port McNeill on the north island highway, not very far from Woss. It’s a very nice little lake. There is a rest area with a trail that takes you down to the lake through a series of railed steps. There is a hook-up to the lake trail from the bottom of the stairs and another way to join from the north end of the parking lot, just past the restrooms. Read More….
Horne Lake
Horne Lake has two incredibly beautiful parks that offer a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities. Visit Horne Lake for adventures in caving, canoeing, or camping, or to just relax and enjoy the sites. The Horne Lake road is accessed just north of Qualicum Beach. You can reach it from the old Hwy, or there is a turn-off on the inland Island Hwy. Read More….
Huson Lake
Huson Lake is a pretty cool lake. It’s a pretty lake. Over the years, I have spent a considerable amount of time in the area. First, in the 1970s, when I was logging and our camp was located in Zeballos. We would head out from Zeballos and drive until we reached the Artlish Main. This road then took us out to the area and eventually back out to the Zeballos Main, with only a short run to the highway. Later in life, I began fishing these lakes and hiking up some of the mountains dotted throughout the area. Read More….
John Hart Lake
John Hart Lake is a man-made lake just northwest of Campbell River. BC Hydro has a dam built there to supply water for electrical power generation. The John Hart Dam was completed in 1947. The dam and most of the lake are in the Elk Falls Park boundaries, and the lake itself is protected as it is the water supply for the City of Campbell River. Read More….
Kains Lake
Kains Lake is located on Holberg Road about 14 km west of Port Hardy. The fishing is good, but the cutthroat trout are slow-growing and mostly run between 20 to 40 cm, but the odd one will reach up to 3.5 kg. The lake receives very little fishing pressure, and you will usually have the lake to yourself. There is a nice little campsite here and a car-top boat launch. Read More….
Kennedy Lake
Kennedy Lake is a gateway for boats, kayaks, and canoes looking to access the Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park. The larger day-use picnic site located on the lake is situated on the southeast side of the lake. It includes a sandy beach area, picnic tables, a swimming area with a floating dock, pit toilets, a boat launch, and day-use campsites. Parking is limited, and many park on the side of the highway when overcrowded. Read More….
Keogh Lake
Keogh Lake is part of the Alice Lake Loop, a wonderful road trip that takes you to numerous lakes, rec sites and incredible side trips to places like The Eternal Fountain or the Devil’s Bath. Keogh Lake is the first stop on this loop. To reach this lake, drive past Port McNeill on Highway 19 until you reach the Keogh Lake main logging road. This road takes you right to the lake. Read More….
Keta Lake
Keta Lake is a few miles past Sayward on the North Island Highway. It’s a very pretty little lake that has a highway stop with picnic tables and toilets. There is a trail that takes you to the lake, but there is no beach. If you walk back along the highway, you will come to a small road, which takes you down to where you could launch a small cartop boat, canoe or kayak. There is room to pull a vehicle into this spot and turn around to exit. Read More….
Klaklakama Lake
Klaklakama Lake is called the highlight of the Nimpkish Valley by some, and I do agree. You can access this lake by car. There is a nice recreational site on the lake. To reach the lake, take the inland island highway past the Sayward Valley and turn off until you reach the Mount Cain ski hill road. Turn onto Mount Davie Road and then south onto Duncan Road. Go another 2 km and then turn left on the Nimpkish Main South, another km will get you to the lakes. Read More….
Kunlin Lake
Kunlin Lake is located just southeast of the town of Gold River. Use the Ucana Road. I recommend that a truck be used, a 4×4 truck. The wildlife is incredible here with black bears, deer, elk, cougars, and lots of smaller forest animals like raccoons, pine martens, and squirrels, and the birdlife here is incredible, so bring a camera and take home some memories. Read More….
Kwai Lake
Kwai Lake is not a great fishing lake, but there are lots of small stocked rainbow trout here. But the lake and its surroundings are a sight to see. It’s a high alpine lake set in the Paradise Meadows area of Strathcona Park. Paradise Meadows is the best place in the park; more people hike the trails here than anywhere else. It’s just so easy to get up into the alpine area, as Mount Washington Road takes you right to the trailhead. Read More….
Lady Lake
Lady Lake is located in Strathcona Park, up on the forbidden plateau, a very beautiful setting for sure. The forbidden plateau is a beautiful plateau on the east side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, located northwest of Comox Lake, roughly between Mount Albert Edward to the southwest and Mount Washington to the northeast. This is such a pretty lake, a jewel of Strathcona Park. Read More….
Lake Helen McKenzie
Lake Helen McKenzie is a very pretty lake set amongst the high-altitude forests of Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Park. The lake is located to the west of Battleship Lake and is a great day hike. It is reached by a 6.8 km return hike from the Paradise Meadows trailhead near the Mount Washington ski area. Read More….
Lizard Lake
Lizard Lake is a nice little lake on the South Island. This Lake is very popular, 18 km northeast of Port Renfrew. It is easily accessed off the Harris Creek mainline. The lake gets its name from the salamanders who live and breed here; there are many. The west coast wet rainforests are perfect for these salamanders to breed in, and this lake seems to be very popular with them. Read More….
Lost Lake
Lost Lake is one of those small wonders that are all over Vancouver Island, with great camping, wonderful fishing, and wildlife that is all around you. This is a jewel of a lake in a wondrous setting. Come and see for yourself. The fishing is great, and the lake is super pretty. Fly fishing is pretty awesome here; the shore has lots of shallows with lilies and other plants that are ideal for fly fishing. Read More….
Lower Campbell Lake
Lower Campbell Lake is a very large man-made lake. This lake has many points of access and many campgrounds. If you added up the number of sites available for camping on this lake, it would probably be in the thousands. There are at least 9 well-maintained campgrounds with boat launches. Some of these sites are top of the line, like Loveland Bay and the Miller Creek site. Read More….
Lower Quinsam Lake
Lower Quinsam Lake is one of three lakes on the Quinsam River. Over the years, I have fished and camped at them all many times. At one time, you could drive by two-wheel drive from Mirror Lake on the Elk River Road to the Comox logging road, crossing the Quinsam River just above Lower Quinsam Lake. There were several nice sites to camp at, and the fishing was awesome. Read More….
Mackie Lake
Mackie Lake is quite a beautiful lake. The first time I saw this lake was in 1971. I had hiked in with Jimmy Nepraunig, a buddy I worked with. It was a gated, but decent road that took you there in those days, and as it was pretty close to the road, it only took us about 30 minutes to walk into the lake. Read More….
Malaspina Lake
The Malaspina Lake recreation site is located southeast of Tahsis on the head bay forest service road. It is a day-use site with a short trail leading to a sandy point on the south side of the Lake. Situated adjacent to the road, the lake, and the surrounding area provides habitat for trumpeter swans, bald eagles, blacktail deer, raccoons, black bears, and cougars. This is a pretty awesome spot to just stop for a break and look for wildlife. Read More….
Mariwood Lake
Mariwood Lake is one of those lakes that can just take your breath away. It has always done that to me. On a foggy morning, it is overwhelming. Mariwood Lake is about a 3-hour hike from the Paradise Meadows trailhead. It is an easy hike that goes through some awesome areas, so bring your camera and be prepared to be amazed. Come in the spring and check out the wildflower display, such majestic beauty. Read More….
McCreight Lake
There are 3 recreation sites on McCreight Lake, along with lots of camping areas, plus several car-top boat launches. At the west end of the lake, there is a trail that takes you down to where the creek that feeds the lake flows in. There is a nice sandy beach here and lots of room for camping. This is such a nice beach. Read More….
Mcivor Lake
McIvor Lake is found 8 km from Campbell River on the Gold River road, Highway 28. This is truly a recreational paradise that has some good fishing. There are many sandy beaches for swimming and loads of free parking. The road is locked from 11 pm to 7 am. There are picnic areas for your use. Read More….
Merril Lake
Merrill Lake has a small gravel boat launch, along with 4 campsites and an outhouse at the lake rec site. The fishing is good, and the scenery is great. There are many old trestles on the lake. I just love these old trestles, awesome to think of just how difficult they must have been to build, amazing. Fires are allowed (except during very dry times), but please bring your wood, if possible. Otherwise, use only downed deadwood. Read More….
Middle Quinsam Lake
Middle Quinsam Lake is located just off the old Argonaut mine road. This is a pretty big lake that holds some big fish. Over the years, l have pulled some nice fish from here. I think the first time I was on this lake to fish was back in 1961. The road was very rough, washed out in many places, but man, the fishing here and over in Gooseneck Lake was incredible. Read More….
Misty Lake
The Misty Lake Ecological Reserve is located between Port McNeil and Port Hardy. The lake is like a jewel set in a forest of Western Red Cedar, Hemlock, and Shore Pine. It is situated on the Nahwitti Lowland. It is a bog-like area that has poor drainage. All eventually drains through the Keogh River. The lake is not very deep, being not quite 7 meters in its deepest parts. In the surrounding forest east side of the lake, you will find a small section of old growth. Read More….
Mohun Lake
Mohun Lake is approximately 10 km long and runs in a north-south direction. The lake is widely known as Mohun, but the northern part of the lake is called Goose Lake. Some maps list this, while others just call the whole lake by Mohun. The Goose Lake section is my favourite for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. It’s full of small inlets, channels, and bays. Read More….
Morton Lake
Morton Lake Provincial Park includes all of Morton Lake and a section of the shoreline on neighbouring Mohun Lake. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in the park, and Mohun Lake provides access to the Sayward canoe route, a 47-km route that follows a system of lakes. There is a boat launch on Mohun Lake that you access here, as well as a put-in for Morton Lake. Read More….
Muchalat Lake
Muchalat Lake is reached by taking the Gold River east road from the town of Gold River and then turning onto the Nimpkish mainline; this road will take you right to the lake. The lake has a very nice recreation site with a car-top boat launch with camping sites. You can reach this lake by car as the road is quite good. The campsites are beautiful, and the beach is nice for the kids. Watch for the floating picnic table that finds its way around the lake. Read More….
Nahmint Lake
The Nahmint Valley is located southwest of Port Alberni. The watershed is full of rivers, lakes, plenty of wildlife, and some impressive mountain peaks, like Kiltsa mountain to the north. Klitsa is a Snow-capped mountain visible from Highway 4 on the drive to Tofino. The lake drains into Alberni Inlet along the Nahmint River, which winds its way through some impressive rapids and waterfalls to Nahmint Bay on the inlet. Read More….
Nahwitti Lake
Nahwitti Lake is a nice little lake on the road to Holberg on the North Island. This lake is not fished much and does not receive much fishing pressure. There is a recreation site with a car-top boat launch for your use. This is a nice site, with very big trees, lots of great views of the lake, with access to trails. Read More….
Nanaimo Lakes
The Nanaimo Lakes are a series of four very popular recreation lakes located southwest of Nanaimo along the Nanaimo River. You take the Nanaimo River road to reach them. The road is paved to the east end of the first lake, then it is a good gravel road from there on. Camping is available at the first and fourth lakes, and there are boat launches on all four lakes. Read More….
Nimpkish Lake
Nimpkish Lake is located in the Nimpkish Valley and is a very large lake. The lake is 20 km long but quite narrow. The wind can come up on this lake and produce some very large waves that will put you on shore to wait it out, so be careful. On the other hand, it is a very popular windsurfing lake. Read More….
Nitinat Lake
Nitinat Lake is a beautiful lake, 24 km in length and 1 km wide. The Lake flows into the ocean at Nitinat Narrows, a narrow tidal passage three kilometres long. The Nitinat area is becoming a major tourism center, with the lake being named as one of the world’s ten best windsurfing areas. This adventure land is a popular recreation destination for swimmers, boaters, paddlers, windsurfers, and anglers. Read More….
Owens Lake
Owens Lake is one of those places that, the first time you see it, takes your breath away. Even with its proximity to logging, it remains beautiful. I only wish I could have seen this wondrous place before the logging happened. This pretty lake is located between Mound Romeo and Mount Juliet at the head of the Owen Lake valley. Read More….
Paterson Lake
Paterson Lake is located just north of Grey Lake, which is on Brewster Lake Road. Turn onto the Paterson Lake Road just north of Fry Lake. Or you can reach the lake from the camp 5 mainline just above Brewster Lake. This Lake has some great fishing in it. I remember coming to this lake when l was just 6 or 7, more than 50 years ago. A friend of my dad’s had a cabin at the east end of the lake, and we would go and spend the weekend fishing the lake. Read More….
Pye Lake
Pye Lake is a very deep lake surrounded by a vast forest and lots of wildlife. The camping is great, and the fishing is wonderful. You have a good chance of seeing bears, wolves, cougars, elk, deer, or one of our smaller forest creatures like raccoons, pine martens, and squirrels. There are many types of birds here, and the dragonflies on the shore of the lake are incredible to watch as they fly about catching other flying insects. Read More….
Regan Lake
Regan Lake is a very nice little lake up in the Oyster River area. You can reach the lake from the Comox logging mainline. This is a quiet lake most times; you will be the only ones here. There is plenty of wildlife to see here, and you can see black bears, elk, deer, cougars, and wolves, along with the little ones like the raccoons, pine martens, and squirrels. The birdlife here is awesome, lots of songbirds, and we always see red-tailed hawks here. Read More….
Reginald Lake
Reginald Lake is a premier lake for canoeing or kayaking. There are so many bays and islands to explore, and the loons nest here in the summer months; you can hear them all day long. There are lots of other waterfowl here as well. It’s awesome to just softly paddle around looking at these birds. Watch the water for beavers; we always see them here going about their business of being beavers. Read More….
Roberts Lake
Roberts Lake is just north of Campbell River on the North Island Highway. There is a nice little store and restaurant there that serves awesome food and pastries. The last time l was there, there was a cool museum full of great stuff. There were also several cabins that you could rent. The lake is deep right at the base of Menzies Mountain. Read More….
Rooney Lake
Rooney Lake is a pretty little lake; it is visible from the highway, just a few miles past the Kita Lake Rest Stop. To reach the only rec site on the lake requires you to take the Adams River Road and turn onto the Rooney Lake Road immediately after crossing the Rooney Creek bridge (it’s the first bridge you cross after leaving the highway). Watch for the rec site on the left, at the end of a small pullout. It’s a first-come, first-served spot. Read More….
Schoen Lake
Schoen Lake and the area give you access to wilderness hiking, fishing, and camping. The lake is one of the most beautiful lakes on Vancouver Island. The park is located northwest of Campbell River in the Nimpkish Valley. The park is a little more primitive than some parks, but the chance to view nature in all its glory more than makes up for the lack of modern amenities. This is a nice lake with breathtaking beauty all around it. Read More….
Shawnigan Lake
Shawnigan Lake is one of the more beautiful lakes on the east coast of Vancouver Island. A paved road circles the lake, giving access to the whole lake. The lake is an excellent lake for kayaks, canoes and is a favourite water ski lake on southern Vancouver Island. Windsurfing is getting popular here. This is a beautiful lake, a true gem. Read More….
Snakehead Lake
Access to the lake is right at the picnic area off of Highway 28, approximately 30 km (18.6 miles) southwest of Campbell River. The picnic site pullout is right at the lake. Although no campsites are provided, wilderness camping is permitted. A car-top boat launch is available. The best fishing for the abundant cutthroat trout is from April to June and September to October. Read More….
Spectacle Lake
Spectacle Lake and the surrounding park are located north of Victoria, up on the Malahat range of southern Vancouver Island. An easy 2 km hiking trail circles the lake, with wooden bridges crossing the creeks and marshy areas that flow into Spectacle Lake. There is a great abundance of birds here and a wonderful place to take a quiet walk, looking for birds. Read More….
Spider Lake
Spider Lake features a clean sandy beach perfect for water activities on a summer day. The lake is noted for its excellent canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Paddlers can have a quiet day exploring the shoreline and the many secluded nooks and bays of this lake. You can find this lake close to Horne Lake. Spider Lake is good for freshwater scuba diving. The water is crystal clear and full of life. Read More….
Sproat Lake
Sproat Lake, with over 300 km of shoreline covered in forests of big trees and freshwater so clear you can see 10 meters deep. Vancouver Island’s Sproat Lake is a popular vacation destination. The lake is located alongside the highway to Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park. Homes and cottages dot the lakeshore, but the majority of the shoreline is uninhabited and lined by beaches and mist-filled rainforests. Read More….
Stella Lake
Stella Lake has 3 very nice recreation sites. The Stella Bay Rec Site has room for up to 2 groups of campers, the Stella North Rec Site is for one group only, but the Stella Beach Rec Site is quite big with room for 14 groups of campers, and this one has an awesome beach that’s safe for the kids. There are several other wilderness campsites scattered around the lake. Read More….
Stewart Lake
To get to Stewart Lake, just drive to the Sayward Valley turn-off, but turn left here off the highway and follow the white river main for about 30 km. Continue up the White River Mainline until you come to the Stewart Lake Road, and follow this road until you get to the lake. The camping is just exquisite here, and the views will take your breath away. Read More….
Thetis Lake
Thetis Lake is a pretty lake and an awesome park; it gets more visitors than any other park in the region. It began as Canada’s first nature sanctuary back in 1958. There is a lot you can do in this park. First off, there is the beach, it is such a great place for a swim and then a bit of sunbathing on the sand. You can hike the many trails along the lake. There are over 40 km of trails to enjoy. Read More….
Twaddle Lake
Twaddle Lake is located about halfway between Sayward and Gold River. This road is only usable for a few months of the year; the rest of the time, it is snowbound and impassable. It’s a pretty cool shortcut to the other side and has some amazing sights to see. One of my favourite stops on this road is Twaddle Lake. A jewel in the mountains. Read More….
Twin Jewel Lakes
The Twin Jewel Lakes are gorgeous. To reach these lakes, you must take the Rooney Lake Main. This road is a couple of miles past the Adam River crossing on the north island highway, just out of Sayward. Turn left off the highway and head up the road. Go past Owen Lake on the Owen Lake Main, keeping left and heading up the mountain. This is a much rougher road than the Owen Lake road, and you should have a 4×4 or a vehicle with a lift kit, as there are some rough sections with large rocks and ruts. These lakes are worth the effort. Read More….
Upana Lake
The scenery is quite breathtaking with mountains and valleys, rivers and streams, and then you also have the Upana caves just above the lake. These caves are pretty awesome. There is plenty of wildlife and birds to keep your camera snapping, and your eyes will be filled with the wonder of the forests. You have a great chance of seeing bears, cougars, wolves, elk, or deer. Read More….
Upper Campbell Lake
Upper Campbell Lake is a large man-made lake that was created when the government of the day built the Strathcona Dam. This is one of three lakes that were created by dams on the same water system. This lake is located 27 km southwest of Campbell River. Access to the lake is directly off the Gold River Highway or down the old Elk River timber logging road, but this road is in rough shape. Read More….
Upper Quinsam Lake
The Upper Quinsam Lake is a wonderful lake to canoe, and there are many bays and islands to explore. There is a large variety of wildlife in this area, and you stand a good chance of seeing black bears, Roosevelt elk, blacktail deer, cougars, and many little creatures like squirrels, raccoons, and pine martens. There are many different kinds of birds here, songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors all use this lake, so bring your camera and have a good time. Read More….
Vernon Lake
Vernon Lake is located in the Nimpkish Valley on north Vancouver Island. There are lots of hiking trails in the area and plenty of wildlife here, including black bears, elk, blacktail deer, cougars, wolves, beavers, otters, and maybe even a grizzly bear ( they say we might have a breeding population of the big bears here now). There are plenty of birds here and a great abundance of wildflowers. Read More….
Victoria Lake
This is an outstanding Vancouver Island area lake with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, great fishing excitement, and the convenience of road access. Victoria Lake is a pristine 1500-hectare lake just 5 km east of Port Alice and 60 km southwest of Port Hardy. The lake is fed by limestone-enriched water from the marble river drainage system and forms an integral part of the marble river basin itself. Read More….
Wolf Lake
Wolf Lake is a picturesque lake with numerous areas to set up camp and stay for a few days. I first visited this lake back in the 1970s. The fishing was good, but the fish were wormy. I understand this is not an issue these days. There are lots of cliffs for cliff diving. There is a boat ramp at the northwest end of the lake with camping, and another picnic area on the other end of the lake. Read More….
Woss Lake
Woss Lake is a large body of water that is easily accessed by car. Wildlife is abundant in the area, including black bears, cougars, wolves, blacktail deer, and Roosevelt elk, along with lots of different bird species. The wildflower show in the late spring is pretty incredible, and the insect life on the shores is awesome, so bring your camera. Read More….
If you are into mountain hiking, we have many wonderful mountain lakes that are surrounded by old-growth forests & mountain peaks. These, more times than not, will take your breath away with their beauty!
Some are located on river systems that are so remote that you may be the only person to hike into them in a given year, and the fishing is usually quite good in these locations.
Back in the 50s, there was a huge logging camp at the lake, hundreds of people lived there, and they had marriage quarters with beautiful little houses that had flower gardens and vegetable gardens. A lot of the people I grew up with were originally from here. The little houses from the camp were moved into town, and most of the homes in Campbellton are these houses; there were many. The camp is now almost completely gone, and not much is left to see.
Brewster Lake is part of the watershed that feeds the John Hart power station. To ensure that enough water flows all year, a diversion has been installed on the Salmon River, and a man-made channel has been built to deliver this water to Brewster Lake.
When the water is low in the fall, and you can gain access to this flow, just above Brewster Lake, the diversion runs through a peat bog, and even though the stream may only be 10 feet across, it is a good 50 feet deep and holds some great big fish.
You fish in this area just above the lake, right above the waterfall.
The towns of Youbou and Lake Cowichan are both located on Cowichan Lake. My first visit to this lake was when I was 19, it was 1974, and l had gone with a good friend who had grown up on the lake in Youbou. The mill was still in operation then, and the town was busy. The people were quite friendly, and how could you not be? The lake has a way of bringing that out in folks.
The lake is full of rainbow, cutthroat, kokanee, Dolly Varden, and brown trout for your angling pleasure. Some of these fish can reach upwards of 3.5 kg and give you a great fight. A few of the brownies can get much bigger. This lake is regulated to ensure there is a viable fishery. You can see so much wildlife around this lake; there are black bears, cougars, wolves, elk, deer, and numerous other animals here and a great many birds, along with incredible vistas. Any photographer would be in their glory on this lake.
You can reach the lake from Port Renfrew, Port Alberni, or from Duncan. It’s a paved road from either Port Renfrew or Duncan; the road is gravel from Port Alberni and is an active logging road. Please drive carefully and always run with your lights on. But no matter which route you take, you will be pleased with the scenery on the way and very impressed with all the lake has to offer once you get here.
You can also fish from the shores of these little, lovely lakes. Both lakes have fair numbers of small Rainbow, cutthroat, and dolly varden trout, averaging from 30 to 45 cm in length. The best time to fish is in the evening, just before dark. Fishing by fly from a kayak is the way to go in these lakes. But if you have no boat, just below the bridge on the Campbell River side of these lakes, there is a good shore here for spin casting, bottom, or bobber fishing.
The crest mountain trail begins here; you cross the lakes at the narrows on the wooden bridge. The trail is steep, but the views of Kings Peak and Elkhorn Mountain, along with the other Island mountains seen from the top, make up for it.
The stocked trout can reach 30 to 40 cm in size, but the wild dolly varden can get up to 2.5 kg in size and give you a great fishing experience. Fly fishing, spin casting, or trolling in spring or fall is the best way to get these lunkers.
The camping here is great with a well-looked-after campsite. The Camping is great, the wildlife here is awesome, and the birds here are not camera-shy. You have a good chance of seeing black bears, cougars, wolves, elk, deer, and other smaller forest animals. So bring your camera. There are two rec sites on these lakes, one at the smaller lower Klaklakama Lake and one at the larger upper Klaklakama Lake. The lower lake has a small campsite area with room for about 5 groups and a boat launch.
The upper lake rec site has a sandy beach, a boat launch and some impressive trees growing right in the site. There is room for about 4 groups to camp here. To reach the lakes, take the inland island highway past the Sayward Valley turn-off and drive until you reach the Mount Cain ski hill road. Turn onto Mount Davie Road and then south onto the Duncan Road. Go another 2 km and then turn left on the Nimpkish Main South, another km will get you to the lakes.
The mountain views you get as you drive these roads are incredible. Take your time and enjoy them. I am always taken aback by the beauty of this area. I am sure you will be too.
There are dolly varden and cutthroat trout in this lake that can reach impressive sizes. Trolling is the best method to catch those biggies. There are several boat launches and recreational sites on the lake, as well as several provincial parks on the lake. The scenery is quite beautiful, and there are plenty of mountains to observe and photograph, so bring your camera.
At the north end of the lake is a modern wooden trestle that goes across the Nimpkish River just as it leaves the lake. There are many old trestles in the area, and they are fun to find and photograph. North Vancouver Island was and still is, in a lot of areas, logged by train. I have seen the remains of many old trestles, and some of these are works of incredible feats of engineering.
The men who built these trestles had a true understanding of working with wood. To think of the weight of the old steam engine trains and their loads of logs going across these structures just shows the knowledge they had, a lost art form now. The wildlife in the area is awesome, and you have a good chance of seeing wolves, bears, cougars, elk, deer, pine martens, raccoons, and a great variety of birds. There are lots of incredible, beautiful wildflowers here on the shores of this lake as well. It is quite a wonderland.
There is a good recreation site with a boat launch at the north end of this lake with great views. The south end of the lake is protected by the Woss Lake Provincial Park. The lake here can reach depths of 150 meters; it’s a great place to troll deep where the monster fish are. Some very nice creeks flow in where you could set up a wilderness campsite and spend a few days. There are many such spots on this big lake. This is a great lake to spend time on in a kayak or canoe, so peaceful and not that well used, making it a premier camping lake.
Wildlife is abundant in the area, including black bears, cougars, wolves, blacktail deer and Roosevelt elk, along with lots of different bird species. The wildflower show in the late spring is pretty incredible, and the insect life on the shores is awesome, so bring your camera.
There are many summer cabins located on this lake. Please respect these cabins and do not trespass. I would love to own one of these. What a place to head up for the summer months or a great winter trip in the island’s wilderness.
