AUGIER LAKE is approximately 19 km long and is 32 km northwest of Burns Lake. Located a few miles past Pinkut Lake, it offers good char and trout fishing, a boat launch, and an attractive beach.
BABINE LAKE is located north of Burns Lake. It can be accessed by driving 34 km on Babine Lake Road, or by traveling west of Burns Lake on Highway 16 and then north on Highway 118 to Granisle. Babine Lake is 177 km (110 miles) long, making it British Columbia’s longest natural lake. Mountains and beautiful scenery surround this pristine body of water, and its shoreline is dotted with sheltered bays and secluded sandy beaches. The lake supports rainbow trout, lingcod, Dolly Varden, lake trout (char), sockeye salmon (fall spawning run), and several other minor species.
BINTA LAKE supports very fine char (up to 35 pounds) and rainbow trout fishing. Located approximately five km from Uncha Lake on good gravel road, this lake sports a boat launch. Excellent boating opportunities available as well.
BULKLEY LAKE is located on the western edge of the Lakes Timber Supply Area and supports healthy populations of rainbow trout.
BURNS LAKE is located parallel to Highway 16 approximately 226 km west of Prince George. This long, narrow body of water is part of the Endako River, a tributary of the Nechako. It has abundant trout and northern pikeminnow, as well as some char and lingcod. Boat launch, dock, and swimming area at Radley Beach, which is adjacent to the town’s free municipal campground.
CO-OP LAKE is located east of Burns Lake a short distance (4 km) north of Highway 16 on a good gravel road. This lake supports a population of eastern brook trout and is known for excellent winter ice fishing. Boat launch available.
DAY LAKE, like Bulkley Lake, is located west of Burns Lake and can be accessed by forest service roads. It is prime rainbow trout habitat.
DECKER LAKE, which flows into Burns Lake, is also part of the Endako River. It supports mainly coarse fish (pikeminnow and suckers of remarkable size), but is also home to small populations of kokanee, trout, and lingcod. This lake is also great for canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
FRANCOIS LAKE is located south of Burns Lake and can be accessed by Highway 35. At 120 km (75 miles) long, it’s one of the largest, deepest, and purest lakes in British Columbia. Francois produces trophy class rainbow trout, kokanee, Dolly Varden, and char. A short free ferry ride crosses Francois Lake to South- bank providing access to Uncha, Takysie, Ootsa, and a host of other fishing hotspots.
GUYISHTON (MACKENZIE) LAKE is located less than 15 km south of Burns Lake along Highway 35. Take a short drive on the Guyishton Lake forest service road, and you’ll find this hidden treasure not far off the beaten path. A small lake by local standards, it nevertheless produces rainbow trout up to five pounds. Try a fly in the fall. Rough boat launch facilities available.
KAGER LAKE is a small body of water located less than 15 minutes from downtown Burns Lake on a good gravel road. This lake has rainbow trout in abundance, but seldom are they larger than a pound or two. Camping areas, hiking, and biking trails. Boat launch and a dock are located on-site.
MAXAN LAKE is located southwest of Burns Lake and can be accessed by many secondary (gravel) roads leading south off Highway 16. It teems with rainbow trout and char from spring through fall. Boat launching facilities are available.
OOTSA LAKE is part of Rio Tinto’s Nechako Reservoir and considered the gateway to Tweedsmuir Park. This enormous lake offers good fishing for rainbow trout up to 10 pounds and boasts a weekend-long Labour Day fishing derby with handsome prizes. Due to the unpredictable nature of weather in the region (high winds can come up suddenly, creating waves in excess of six feet), the use of a large boat is recommended. Access to the shoreline can also be difficult. Still, the lake is well-worth checking out. To fish Ootsa, travel south on Highway 35, cross Francois Lake on the free ferry, and follow the signage. Several boat launches are available.
PINKUT LAKE is located approximately 24 km from Burns Lake on Babine Lake Road. This lake has good trout and char fishing, with trout weighing in around two pounds. Boat launch available.
STAR LAKE is located northeast of Burns Lake in the shadow of Boer Mountain. To access it, take the Boer Mountain forest service road beyond Kager Lake almost to the mountain peak, then grab your rod and tackle and hike east to the lake. This clear, cold mountain lake teems with rainbow trout, which can be caught from shore. Excellent hiking trails throughout the area.
TAGETOCHLAIN (POPLAR) LAKE provides trout up to three pounds, and char to 25. The lake is about 1.6 km off the Tahtsa access road on another good gravel route.
TAKYSIE LAKE is approximately 48 km south of Burns Lake on the Southside. It can be accessed by taking Highway 35 south from Burns Lake, crossing Francois Lake by ferry, and following the signage. This lake produces rainbow trout up to 10 pounds. Boat launch available.
TALTAPIN LAKE is located 38 km north of Burns Lake. It is very good for deep char fishing, and trout are plentiful. Taltap- in can be reached by driving 19 km on the Babine Lake Road, and another 19 km on the Augier/Taltapin Road. Both of these routes are well-maintained gravel roads, but be on the lookout for logging trucks and other industrial traffic. Boat launch available.
TCHESINKUT LAKE is located 16 km south of Burns Lake on Highway 35. It is known for its kokanee and rainbow trout (which can weigh up to four pounds) and chars up to 42 pounds. Boat launch available.
UNCHA LAKE produces rainbow trout up to three pounds and very large char. It is located on the Southside and can be accessed by taking Highway 35 south from Burns Lake, crossing the free Francois Lake Ferry, and turning east at Southbank. The roads are well marked, and a boat launch is available.
EUTSUK LAKE is a huge body of water that supports monster-sized, world-class rainbow trout. This fishing ‘jewel’ in Tweedsmuir Park can be accessed only by boat, helicopter, or float plane. Boat access is via Ootsa and Whitesail Lakes to the portage, which boasts a narrow gauge railway for transporting vessels across into Eutsuk. Stunning scenery awaits you.
For more information on any of these lakes and their associated facilities, contact the Burns Lake Visitor Centre (250) 692-3773
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