The Nimpkish River offers great steelhead fishing in both a summer run in June/September and again in a winter run in January to April. There is a sea-run of dolly varden in the spring, and there is a year-round fishery for resident rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Vancouver Island’s Nimpkish River Valley is a beautiful, incredibly rugged, and remote watershed. From its headwaters in the mountains near Gold River, it winds its way towards the northeast island, past Woss Lake, growing as numerous streams and creeks join it until it flows into Nimpkish Lake. From there, a short stretch of wild river leads to the ocean, where the river empties into the sea between Telegraph Cove and Port McNeil.
First Nations groups have utilized the surrounding area for thousands of years. The Namgis people had lived at the mouth and along the valley for as far back as can be remembered.
The Nimpkish River valley is broad and flat and over 100 km in length. It is shallow in inclination, dropping only 280 m over its course, most of that before Woss Lake. The Nimpkish River begins in the hills above Vernon Lake as a series of small streams and becomes a river where it joins with the flow from the lake. It continues down the valley, becoming larger before reaching the junction with the Woss River, which almost doubles the size. By this time, the river is already getting large. As it continues on its way to the sea, it continues to grow as feeder creeks join it until it flows into Nimpkish Lake.
The lake is the biggest on Vancouver Island north of the Campbell Lakes and measures about 23 km long. The way the wind is forced down the valley and onto the lake is almost like a wind tunnel, making it a popular lake for windsurfing.
Though not settled, the valley is fairly extensively logged, with active tree removal still occurring and the clear cuts visible in satellite images. Much of the watershed is protected, and two Provincial Parks in the system provide protection for the wilderness as well as excellent recreational opportunities.
Access to Nimpkish Lake is easy, as Highway 19 borders it on the way to Port Hardy, and a few rest stops offer trails down to the lakeshore. The two parks are easily accessible by boat, but no formal trails to them are available for hiking. There is no road access to either park. Other sections of the valley can be accessed from logging roads or from Highway 19, which runs through the valley at many points. River rafting is possible on the upper reaches of the river and is a breathtaking ride through some of BC’s finest wilderness scenery.