Atlin
Lake:
The
historic town of Atlin,
on Atlin Lake dates back to the Klondike Gold
Rush of 1898, when the population was more than
3,000. Today, the town has a population of approximately
500 and is a favourite spot with tourists. Atlin
Lake, with its turquoise coloured water, is the
largest natural lake in British Columbia. The
town, the lake and the wilderness park are all
drawing cards to this northern region of BC. The
snow-capped mountains serve as a backdrop, as
boaters and canoeists explore the many islands
on Atlin Lake. Houseboating is becoming popular
and float planes lift off taking hikers and fishers
into the remote wilderness.
Atlin
Lake is 100 km. (60 mi.) in length. Winds can
whip up suddenly, so stay close to shore and always
be very careful. Atlin Provincial Park, a wilderness
park, which encompasses most of the lake, offers
wilderness walk-in camping. Along the lake shoreline
you might see Dall and Stone sheep, mountain
goats, caribou,
and bears.
Bird watchers will be pleased with the abundance
of bald
eagles, ospreys,
spruce grouse and ptarmigans.
To
reach Atlin, turn south at Jakes
Corner off the Alaska Highway and follow Highway
7. Wildlife photography, bird watching, hiking,
back country
camping, canoeing, kayaking,
gold panning and boating are activities that can
be enjoyed in this area. The town of Atlin has
complete tourist facilities and amenities, such
as accommodations,
camping, restaurants, craft shops and sight seeing
tours, guiding, rental of houseboats, pleasure
boats, canoes and kayaks. Atlin, Atlin Lake and
Atlin Provincial Park are fast becoming a mecca
for back country hikers and adventurers.
Babine
Lake:
Babine
Lake, in the North
by Northwest Region, is 177 km (110 mi.) long,
making it British Columbia's longest natural lake.
Babine, is also one of the most popular fishing
lakes in the province. Fly fishing and trolling
yield results of cutthroat
and rainbow
trout. Also, enjoy fishing for lake
char and kokanee.
This is a major salmon
spawning area and the months of August and September
are the best times to view this natural phenomenon.
The
Village of Granisle
on the shores of Babine Lake, is a good place
to make home base as you fish, boat and explore.
Granisle is 50 km (31 mi.) north of the Yellowhead
Highway on Highway #118, situated on the widest
part of Babine Lake, offering visitors everything
they need. Recreational facilities include a marina,
boat moorage and boat launches, parks, beaches,
pool, tennis courts, curling club, museum and
hiking trails.
Mountains
and beautiful scenery surround Babine Lake, while
the shoreline is dotted with secluded sandy beaches.
The area offers wildlife viewing at its best,
with a chance of seeing deer, moose, coyotes,
wolves, bears and eagles. Enjoy swimming, water
skiing, boating, wilderness camping, hunting,
hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and
of course, fishing all year long.
There
are camping facilities at Red
Bluff Provincial Park, Topley Landing Campgrounds,
and Lions Beach Park or take adventage of the
accommodations at the lodges and resorts in the
area. Enjoy pristine wilderness and some of the
best fishing in BC on Babine Lake and the surrounding
area.
Francois
Lake
Francois
Lake:
The
Lakes District of British Columbia offers more
than 300 fishing lakes between the Fraser and
Skeena River watersheds. Burns
Lake is the largest community and the service
centre for the Lakes District. The area boasts
of having more than 4,800 km (2,900 mi.) of shoreline
and fishing opportunities. Francois
Lake, 120 km. (75 mi.) long, is the largest
lake in the district.
Highway
35, south of Burns Lake takes you to Francois
Lake and the fishing grounds. A short free ferry
ride crosses Francois Lake to Southbank and beyond
to Uncha,
Takysie, Ootsa
Lake and the northern section of Tweedsmuir
Provincial Park. One of the purest water sources
in BC, Francois Lake has plenty of rainbow trout,
kokanee, Dolly Varden and char. This is sport
fishing at its finest, with prize winning, trophy
fish.
Pack
your camera and be ready to snap pictures of the
wildlife. Eagles and ospreys are plentiful. Bears,
moose and deer wander freely. The Lakes District
offers many recreational activities. Relax boating,
fishing,
sailing and canoeing. Go hiking, backroad exploring,
rock hounding, bird watching, fossil looking and
hunting. Do a Burns Lake walk-about visiting the
museum and other historic sites.
The
shores of Francois Lake offer many excellent private
RV and Campgrounds, and the village of Burns Lake
has accommodations, restaurants, shopping and
entertainment facilities. For a holiday of relaxation
and fishing, make it the Lakes
District and Francois Lake.
Stuart
Lake:
Stuart
Lake situated 60 km (37 mi.) north of Vanderhoof,
which is the geographical centre of British Columbia,
is an excellent fishing and boating lake. This
area is also rich in history. The village of Fort St. James, on the
shore of Stuart Lake, was one of the first fur
trading posts in British Columbia. Founded in1806
by Simon Fraser it was the headquarters of New
Caledonia. The fort, rebuilt four times, continued
as an important trading post right into the twentieth
century. Today, the fort is a National Historic
Site with some original buildings dating to the
1890's. During the summer, costumed staff members
reenact life as it was nearly 100 years ago. You
can also enjoy learning about traditional salmon
smoking and drying by the Carrier people.
Stuart
Lake, is 95 km. (59 mi.) long and home to some
of the finest rainbow trout fishing in BC. No
matter where you go on the lake, fishing is excellent.
This long and narrow lake has sandy beaches, isolated
bays and coves and native pictographs on the rock
bluffs along the east shore. Stuart is the southern
point in a chain of three lakes and a popular
canoe trip. Like other BC lakes, wind and storms
happen suddenly so always be caution.
Make
your home base at Paarens
Beach Provincial Park, it is the perfect spot
from which to explore the historic Fort St. James
region. Located on the south shore of Stuart Lake,
Paarens has excellent camping facilities. The
village of Fort St. James offers accommodations,
restaurants and shopping. There are many lodges
and resorts in the area. Also, available are fishing
charters, float plane charters, motor boat and
houseboat rentals.
Stuart
Lake and surrounding area are truly for the outdoor
adventurer. Offering excellent boating, fishing,
canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, back country
exploring and historic buildings to visit and
enjoy. Combine a boating and fishing holiday with
history on Stuart Lake and at Fort St. James area.
