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.
There is a special pair of stickleback fish that inhabit the lake and inlet stream, they are found only in this lake. The Lentic and the Lotic Sticklebacks or as they are more commonly known. the giant black stickleback (Gasterosteus Oculeatus) lives in separate areas, one, the lentic lives in the deeper parts of the lake, while the lotic lives in the inlet stream and swampy areas of the bogs surrounding the lake. They are the same fish but have evolved differently to survive in their area of habitation. There are also Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Prickly Sculpin, Steelhead, and Coho Salmon. In the forest area. you can see Deer, Elk, Black Bears, and a variety of smaller animals, the bird species will keep you busy as there are many types here.
This is a very pretty little lake, just off the highway. There are a couple of outhouses here along with a couple of picnic tables just at the start of the short trail to the lake. We always take a break here when we are travelling the north island roads.