Planning a road trip this summer? Want to include some great fishing along the way? The Omineca Region (7A) offers plenty of wilderness activities with less crowding than neighbouring areas to the south. It lies nestled within a vast rolling landscape created by the Interior plateau and surrounding ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The region’s incredible variety of excellent small-lake fishing – reached easily from northern centres like Valemount, Mackenzie, and Prince George – is little known. In fact, there are over a dozen great fishing lakes within an hour of Prince George alone.
Whether you’re a regional local or someone looking for a road trip that includes high-quality fishing, you’ll want to check out the Omineca’s “fishing highways.” From secluded hike-in lakes to accessible drive-in options, from family to trophy fisheries, the region’s small lakes support numerous possibilities.
Many of these lakes are within or near parks and recreational sites that offer additional amenities like campsites, washrooms, and trails, along with swimming and picnic areas. Access to most locations is via paved or at least easily navigable gravel roads using a two-wheel-drive vehicle.
Small-lake fishing usually means you can keep your gear simple. Often, you can even stick to angling from shore. However, for most lakes, you’ll have better fishing from some kind of watercraft – a small inflatable boat, kayak, or canoe will suffice.
The species available in these fisheries are also diverse. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks 55 lakes in the region with rainbow trout, kokanee, and/or eastern brook trout. However, there are numerous lakes that are not stocked yet may contain wild populations of whitefish, rainbow trout, bull trout, lake trout, or burbot (locally known as lingcod). Either way, there is usually an opportunity to harvest fish where conservation concerns don’t exist. Set-lines are allowed in some lakes to fish for the tasty burbot.
The following sections highlight a sampling of small lakes with a variety of fishing that have easy to moderate access from one of the two main highways in the region: Highway 16 (east-west) and Highway 97 (north-south direction). Make sure you check the most up-to-date Fishing Regulations before you go; you will find that a range of regulations apply depending upon the lake and species.
Map of Profiled Fishing Lakes in the Omineca Region, B.C.
Highway 16 – east of Prince George
Purden Lake
Possibly the most popular lake in the region, and one of the larger (more than 800 hectares) within easy proximity of Prince George (64 kilometres), this lake supports fisheries for wild burbot as well as stocked rainbow trout and kokanee. The northern end of the lake is within Purden Lake Provincial Park, which includes camping, picnic and day-use areas, a great swimming beach, a playground, and hiking trails. The boat launch in the park supports trailered boats, while two docks and a lakeside trail also offer shoreline fishing options, depending on the species. This is the perfect lake for a family trip.
Lasalle (West) Lake
Within a 30-minute drive of McBride, this lake is host to the popular Lasalle Lakes Recreation Site which includes picnic and camping facilities, a small beach, gravel boat launch, and fishing dock. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocks rainbow trout in the lake. While motorized boats are not permitted, the lake is small enough (26 hectares) to make fishing from canoe or kayak comfortable. Shoreline fishing is also an option.
Shere Lake
This small, shallow lake (124 hectares) is about 30 kilometres northwest of Valemount. It includes the small, day-use Shere Provincial Recreation Site with pit toilets and easy foot-access to the lake. The lake supports a quality fishery for stocked eastern brook trout, which are best fished from a canoe or kayak. This lake offers breathtaking views of the nearby Rockies.
From Valemount, proceed north on the Yellowhead Highway 5 for eight kilometres, and turn left onto Blackman Road. Continue for 10 kilometres and turn left onto Old Tete Jaune Cache Road. Proceed 12 kilometres to Croydon Forest Service Road, another 11 kilometres to Shere Lake Road on the right, and one final kilometre to the site. Given its more complicated driving access, you can be sure this lake will not be crowded.
Little Lost Lake
Only a 15-minute drive from Valemount gets you to this small hike-in lake (6.2 hectares) and its quality fishery for stocked rainbow trout. The popular hiking trail of 1.2 kilometres to the lake has had recent improvements. With only a slight gain in elevation of 250 metres, the trail is easy enough to bring in an inflatable craft to fish from should you desire, but options to fish from shore are also available. The Little Lost Lake Recreation Site includes picnic tables, a pit toilet, and swimming in the heat of summer.
Portal Lake
This very small lake (1.6 hectares) sits within Mount Robson Provincial Park, an hour’s drive from Valemount. The stocked rainbow trout in this lake can be fished via kayak or small inflatable, or from shore. You can access this lake immediately off the highway at a rest stop.
Highway 16 – west of Prince George
Kwitzil (a.k.a. Gravelpit) Lake
This small lake (7.3 hectares) is just over 30 minutes’ drive from Prince George. It offers great family fishing for both stocked rainbow trout and eastern brook trout. It is easily accessed off a short, 500-metre gravel road directly from the highway (on the left heading from Prince George). 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. While there are no amenities beyond what is described here, quick access from the city means you can head out even if you only have a couple of hours to spare.
Berman Lake
Lying midway between Prince George and Vanderhoof (about a 40-minute drive either way), this small lake (45 hectares) is a paddling favourite among locals. You can catch stocked rainbow trout and wild whitefish. Berman Lake Regional Park features picnic areas with tables, toilets, a dock from which you can launch small boats, and a sandy beach for swimming (complete with change rooms). Norman Lake Road off Highway 16 will get you to the lake.
Bednesti Lake
This lake (271 hectares) also sits midway between Prince George and Vanderhoof (about a 45-minute drive in either direction). Although it is no longer stocked, it does contain natural populations of rainbow trout, whitefish, burbot, and even lake trout. The fishery is best accessed with a boat, and if you are bringing a trailer, the boat launch is at the southern end of the lake. Of interest, it is possible to paddle up the creek from Berman Lake to Bednesti Lake. To access the lake directly, follow Highway 16 out of Prince George to Bednesti Lake Road.
Cluculz Lake
This is a relatively large lake that requires a boat or kayak/canoe to fish. It supports natural populations of rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout, burbot, and whitefish; catches of big lake trout and burbot have been reported on occasion. A road network provides access to the lake at several locations. About 60 kilometres west of Prince George (or about 40 kilometres east of Vanderhoof), turn off Highway 16 onto Lloyd Drive. Shortly after this turnoff, you will find several access points. If you follow Lloyd to its end, you will arrive at Somerset Estates where there is a small access site. To access the western portion of the lake, turn off Highway 16 onto Maier Road – you’ll find several access points immediately along the road to pull off. One boat launch on the southern side of the lake is off Highway 16 down Dorset Landing Drive, and another launch can be found on Somerset Drive.
Cobb Lake
About 40 kilometres east of Vanderhoof (and 65 kilometres west of Prince George), the lake itself is accessed off Highway 16 at Finmore Road. Drive about six kilometres north, then turn right onto an unnamed road for a short distance before arriving at the Cobb Lake Recreation Site on the northern shore of the lake. This lake (223 hectares) is stocked with both rainbow and eastern brook trout. The recreation site includes a boat launch for trailered boats. There is a voluntary restriction of 20 horsepower in place for boat motors. Some options for shoreline fishing are also available. The site also provides day-use facilities, including picnic tables and pit toilets, as well as 25 campsites. Given its easy access, the lake is considered family-friendly. During the heat of summer, fish the drop-off areas where trout are likely to hang out.
Fraser Lake
This lake is adjacent to the Village of Fraser Lake, about 160 kilometres west of Prince George. At over 5,000 hectares, it’s one of the largest lakes in the region and deep (over 30 metres). It is home to wild populations of bull trout, burbot, lake trout, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, kokanee, chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, and the endangered white sturgeon. Harvest opportunities exist for all species except for chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, and white sturgeon. The lake can be accessed via several locations. Beaumont Provincial Park (on the southern side of lake) offers walk-in campsites, access to hiking trails, and a beautiful sandy beach, while Borel Lake (Fraser Lake) Recreation Site has a good boat launch, picnic tables, and a few campsites. The complexity and depth of this lake make for lots of great fishing options. Try fly-fishing among the weed beds in the numerous bays when waters are cooler, and especially at the river and creek mouths, or trolling the cooler depths.
Highway 97 – north of Prince George
Boot Lake
For those seeking a more remote wilderness setting, this hike-in lake (16 hectares) is just under an hour’s drive from Prince George, and is stocked with rainbow trout. Following Highway 97 north, access is off Talus Road to Caine Creek Road, both of which are gravel. The trailhead is located near 30.5 kilometres on Caine Creek Road (note the kilometres are not marked). An unmarked trailhead leads approximately 700 metres to the lake. This wilderness location has little in the way of amenities but makes up for it with solitude. As there is no shoreline fishing, a small and portable inflatable, kayak, or canoe is ideal.
Crystal Lake
This popular lake (40 hectares) is also just under an hour’s drive from Prince George, and is known for its sandy beaches and great fishing. Small but deep, the lake is stocked with brook trout and rainbow trout. It is managed for a quality fishery – meaning you could hook into some decent-sized fish. To get there, follow Highway 97 north from Prince George for almost 70 kilometres; the turn-off road is not well marked, but watch for the McEwan sign along the rail line (if you cross the tracks, you’ve gone too far). Turn east onto Crystal Lake Road and stay left at the first junction. Continue straight and you will get to the Crystal Lake boat launch area. There is a steep hill, and the road is unpaved. A day-use area includes picnic tables. Shoreline, boats, and kayaks are all good fishing options. Given its 30-metre depths, deep-trolling in cooler waters is one effective option, especially in the summer.
Emerald Lake
This small lake (14 hectares) is close to Crystal Lake, and is stocked with rainbow trout. While shoreline fishing is an option, a small boat will give you more access to fish. Emerald Lake Recreation Site provides rustic camping with tables, pit toilets, and an area to hand-launch a small boat. Travel approximately 70 kilometres north of Prince George along Highway 97. The turn-off road is not well marked, but watch for the McEwan sign along the rail line (if you cross the tracks, you’ve gone too far). Turn east onto Crystal Lake Road and stay left at the first junction. Continue straight and you will get to the Crystal Lake boat launch area. Continue straight past here, and you will come to another junction in the road where the recreation site sign for Emerald Lake directs you left. Continue left and you will get to Emerald Lake.
Hart Lake
This jewel of a lake, less than an hour’s drive from Prince George, offers trophy fishing for stocked rainbow trout. While fishing may slow down a bit in summer, you can still get into some great fishing when the fish are “on.” The lake is in Crooked River Provincial Park, just east of the town of Bear Lake. A parking lot can be found off the highway, and from there it’s an easy 200-metre walk to the lake over a set of railroad tracks. As there is not much in the way of shoreline fishing, plan to hand-launch a small boat or inflatable. While lakeside facilities are limited, camping is available in the park.
Square Lake
About an hour’s drive from Prince George, Square is another lake (12 hectares) located within Crooked River Provincial Park. There are consistent reports of good catch rates for the rainbow trout stocked by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. This is a hike-in-only lake with an easy 30-minute hike from the parking lot at the western end of Bear Lake. The park offers campsites, a day-use site with flush toilets, picnic tables, and a playground.
Davie Lake
This lake supports wild populations of rainbow trout, bull trout, burbot, northern pikeminnow, and whitefish. Davie is an easy hour’s drive on pavement. Seventy-four kilometres north of Prince George, turn left off Highway 97 onto Davie Lake Road (as you pass the community of Bear Lake), and travel another 3.3 kilometres. The popular Davie Lake Recreation Site, easily accessible with a two-wheel-drive vehicle, offers camping and swimming, pit toilets, picnic tables, and a gravel boat launch.
Tudyah Lake
The Tudyah Recreation Site, on the northern side of the lake, is about three kilometres south of Mackenzie Junction, right where you turn onto Finlay North (Pack) Forest Service Road. To access the site, make a left turn at about the three-kilometre mark, and then travel another kilometre. A two-wheel-drive vehicle is no problem. The site on the northeastern side of the lake provides limited camping, a boat launch, picnic tables, and pit toilets. The Tudyah Lake Provincial Park runs along the southeastern corner of the lake and offers more camping options. A concrete boat launch accommodates larger trailered boats. This lake supports wild populations of migratory bull trout, rainbow trout, burbot, whitefish, and northern pikeminnow. Ideally, this lake is best fished from a boat or kayak. Note: waterskiing is an option here.
Highway 97 – south of Prince George
Trapping Lake
About a 45-minute drive south of Prince George, this lake (42 hectares) receives stocked rainbow trout. To get to the lake, turn left off Highway 97 about 11 kilometres south of Stone Creek onto the gravel Camp Creek Road. Drive 900 metres to the intersection, stay right, and then drive another 5.1 kilometres to the lake. A small gravel boat launch is located at the southern end of the lake, but no other facilities exist.
Profiled Omineca Fishing Lakes – Summary Table
These highlighted lakes are just a small sampling of the great small-lake fisheries in the Omineca Region. The provincial fisheries program is seeking to develop small-lake fisheries in collaboration with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. We’d love to hear feedback on your experiences for these and other small lakes in the region.
Plan your fishing trip
Keep the following in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing:
- Check the BC Wildfire Service website for a map of current fires, and fire bans. To report a wildfire, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free. For road closures or detours, DriveBC has the latest information.
- Anglers can reduce the stress load on fish in elevated temperature conditions in several ways. Before you head out, look up current conditions using the real-time hydrometric data map and drought conditions in your area using the Drought Information Portal. Learn about the affect of drought conditions on fish, and ways in which you can help, on this blog.
- When using the forest service roads, please use caution and watch for logging trucks.
- The driving directions provided in the lake descriptions, above, are as up-to-date as possible. Please contact the Omineca Regional Office at (250) 614-7400 if any directions are incorrect.
- Be sure to pull the plug and clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and equipment after leaving a lake to prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Note that this list is not comprehensive, and that there are many other online resources available to help you plan your next fishing trip.
Stay tuned! Over the next year, we plan to profile more places to fish in the Omineca as we look to improve your angling experiences.
Author: Staff, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
Images: Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.