Omineca Region’s Southern Backcountry Lake Loop: A Perfect Escape from the Plugged-in Lifestyle
April 22, 2025In north central British Columbia, the Omineca Region is esteemed for its readily accessible wilderness lakes. Myriad lakes of various shapes and sizes dot the landscape, offering many recreational options.
Whether you have a week to spare or are just looking to head out of town for a day or two of off-grid adventure, the following backroad loop is easily accessed and provides plenty of small lakes to choose from. With a little planning and some basic safety equipment, you can be well-prepared to enjoy recreational activities like fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, paddling (kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard), and hiking. Given the proximity of these lakes to one another, there is always a backup option if your first choice doesn’t work out. Even if angling is not your primary reason for getting out there, bringing along a rod and some basic fishing tackle can enrich your outdoor experience and, as a bonus, provide a tasty reward.
Although the height of mosquito season usually spans the months of June and July, the loop’s lakes will be relatively bug-free by mid-August.
September is gorgeous with autumn’s spectacular changing colours. It tends to be a quieter time, increasing the likelihood of seeing wildlife like deer, moose, and bears. If you are camping, you may even be lucky enough to see the northern lights.
Here, we identify a handful of lakes in the loop that can all be accessed via the Blackwater Road or Bobtail Forest Service Road from Prince George or Vanderhoof in well under two hours. Note that most lakes are off the main road, and some will require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This loop can also be accessed from the Quesnel area. Most locations have established recreation sites, many of which include camping options. Some have boat launches or docks.
All lakes are fishable. Some are stocked with trout, while others have naturalized or wild fish populations.
The southern backcountry lake loop
Clockwise from Prince George: take Highway 16 West for about 10 kilometres, turn left (south) onto Blackwater Road (head past West Lake) – Pelican Forest Service Road – Blackwater Forest Service Road – Bobtail Forest Service Road – Highway 16 West – Prince George. From Vanderhoof: pick up the Bobtail Forest Service Road and follow the loop counter-clockwise. From Quesnel: connect via the Blackwater Road.
Nelson Lake
Description: Access this lovely small lake on foot via an easy, well-maintained 250-metre trail and boardwalk. A fishing dock is available at the end of the trail. The day-use site, which includes a pit toilet and a maintained parking area, is part of Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
Fishing: Fish for stocked rainbow trout from the dock or using non-motorized watercraft. The lake, with a maximum depth of 10 metres, is ideal for belly boats.
Driving: https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC5533&districtCode=RDPG&type=Site
Mackenzie Lakes – East and West
Description: These two lakes are connected by a small stream. Each lake has a maintained recreation site, with a total of six camping spots (Mackenzie Lake West has two, and Mackenzie Lake East offers another four). Both lakes have car-top boat launches and the basic amenities of fire rings, tables, and pit toilets.
Fishing: The lakes are stocked with rainbow trout.
Driving: Due to a steep road, access to Mackenzie Lake West may be challenging; four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. While the eastern lake has easier access, high-clearance vehicles are recommended for both lakes. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC1157
Punchaw Lake
Description: A relatively shallow lake nestled amongst mature spruce and deciduous trees, Punchaw offers a shoreline recreation site with five campsites, picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets.
Fishing: In addition to northern pikeminnow, there is a naturalized population of rainbow trout that are available for angling. An unimproved gravel boat launch area for car-toppers exists at the site.
Driving: Four-wheel-drive is highly recommended for the final 100 metres to the lake. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1153&type=Site
Tory Lake
Description: A small lake set in the wilderness, Tory is especially stunning with early autumn colours. It can be accessed directly adjacent to the Pelican Forest Service Road. The recreation site offers picnic tables, fire rings, a pit toilet, and space for two camping parties.
Fishing: The lake, with a maximum depth of 10 metres, is stocked with rainbow trout. A short, steep trail from the site provides access to the fishing dock. Belly boats, kayaks, and pontoon boats are ideal, especially since they need to be hefted down the slope. Adventurous anglers may be rewarded for their efforts, as the lake is well known as a high-quality fishery for rainbow trout on the fly.
Driving: https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC1160
Lintz Lake
Description: Surrounded by a mixed forest including mature Douglas firs, the flat, grassy recreation site at Lintz Lake provides picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, and nine campsites.
Fishing: The lake’s gravel boat launch is suitable for both car-top and trailered boats. The lake, with a maximum depth of 22 metres, is stocked with rainbow trout and is a popular fishing destination.
Driving: https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1152&type=Site
Meadow Lake
Description: The open, grassy recreation site at Meadow Lake supports three campsites and is a popular spot for hunting camps in the fall. Basic facilities include picnic tables, a pit toilet, and fire rings.
Fishing: Access to the lake is available via a small car-top boat put-in; because of the swampy shoreline, trailered boats cannot be launched here. The lake offers angling for naturalized rainbow trout.
Driving: The road into Meadow Lake and its recreation site are quite tight; anything bigger than a small trailer is not recommended. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1371&type=Site
Tagai Lake
Description: Tagai Lake is a larger, convoluted lake that offers a remote wilderness experience. The recreation site includes picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, and eight secluded campsites among the conifers.
Fishing: The gravel boat launch is ideal for car-top boats, but smaller trailered boats can be accommodated. The lake offers angling for naturalized rainbow trout and burbot. You can even fish burbot right from shore – check out the simple, cheap, yet effective set-line rig below.
Driving: https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1151&type=Site
Bobtail (Naltesby) Lake
Description: Bobtail is one of the largest, most complex lakes of the group and has several islands. There are three separate recreation sites, all on the scenic shores of the lake, with a total of 17 campsites as well as picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. The lake itself is about 10 kilometres long, with a maximum depth of 20 metres. For those interested in hiking, a trail is accessible from one site and provides great views of the lake from Bobtail Mountain. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1348&type=Trail.
Fishing: The lake offers good fishing for naturalized rainbow trout, kokanee, and burbot. There is a concrete boat launch suitable for trailered boats, as well as a car-topper launch. Visitors can explore the lake with both powered and non-powered boats.
Driving: This lake is the farthest from Prince George, and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC1159&type=Site
Several fishable lakes can also be found on the return leg from Bobtail to Prince George:
- Little Bobtail Lake is located between Bobtail and Graveyard lakes. Although not recently stocked, it does contain rainbow trout and, with a maximum depth of 15 metres, is ideal for shore- or float tube-fishing.
- Grizzly Lake West is stocked with rainbow trout, and has a recreation site with 10 campsites. Recreation Sites and Trails BC
- Graveyard Lake contains several fish species including rainbow trout, kokanee, mountain whitefish, and northern pikeminnow. A recreation site with three campsites is located on the shore. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC1104
- Cobb Lake is stocked with brook and rainbow trout. It has a large recreation site, new dock, great camping, and easy two-wheel-drive access. https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC1106
- Cluculz Lake is a larger, deep lake that supports naturalized rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout, burbot, kokanee, and mountain whitefish. It is easily accessible from the highway.
- Kwitzil (Gravel Pit) Lake offers great family fishing for both stocked rainbow and eastern brook trout. It is easily accessed off a short, 500-metre gravel road directly from the highway. There is a gravel site to launch a small boat or kayak easily, but note that no powered boats are permitted. Shore-fishing is also an option.
For more lakes in the Omineca region, click here.
Before you go, plan ahead for your backcountry adventure. Since there are no fuel/charging stations or stores along the loop, loading up with supplies in town is a good idea. For EV users, there are fast charging options in Vanderhoof, Prince George, and notably at Cluculz Lake (Highway 16 rest area). As most locations are also out of cell phone range, use a VHF radio on all forestry roads. Finally, make sure that you are bear-aware when using recreation sites.
Author: Sue Pollard