AnglingBC for freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing in B.C.

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Go Fish!

By Jamie Ross

“So many lakes&so little time.”

An angler was heard to utter such a thought while guiding a canoe out onto the quiet surface of a South Cariboo lake at dawn, enjoying the morning’s rich silence, on water unbroken save for the stroke of the paddle and the occasional jumping of fish. Or were these words served up meditatively by the solitary figure standing waist deep in a turbulent South Cariboo stream, offering his best hand-tied fly to the river’s guardians. Perhaps it came from the visitor staring wide-eyed from the floatplane, looking down on the South Cariboo landscape.

If you feel best with rod and reel in hand, the South Cariboo region features some of BC’s best fresh-water sport fishing. Perhaps the best fishing in the area can be found along Highway 24, a beautiful, rolling, forested landscape spanning 65 miles from Little Fort to Highway 97, just minutes south of 100 Mile House. This paved highway is only 5 hours from Vancouver.

Aptly named “The Fishing Highway”, anglers can access over a hundred lakes within an hour’s drive. Highway 24 is the home of the famous “Interlakes,” which is comprised of four main destination lakes: Fawn, Sheridan, Bridge and Lac Des Roches. The Interlakes are strategically located with easy access to many more remote lakes. The nutrient rich waters off “The Fishing Highway” support abundant populations of freshwater shrimp, enabling Rainbow trout to grow in excess of twelve pounds.

Fawn, with its crystal clear green water, is the smallest of the “Interlakes” waters. This nutrient rich lake supports up to 6 pounds, the average running 2 ﾽ pounds. This lake has a surface area of 80 acres with extensive shallow areas making it ideal for fly fishing.

Sheridan Lake is the largest in the “Interlakes” having a surface area of 4,100 acres. Although large in surface area, it has a relatively shallow average depth of 23 feet, which makes the lake very productive in terms of aquatic insect life and big fish. Rainbow trout grow big in this lake as every year fish over 13 pounds are landed. The aver Rainbow trout weighs in at 3 ﾽ pounds.

Bridge Lake offers the most diverse fishing opportunities. A fisherman can catch Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, Lake trout, and Burbot from the waters. At a size of 3,384 acres, this lake has consistently produces Lake trout over 20 pounds, Kokanee over 4 pounds and Rainbow over 5 pounds.

Lac Des Roches, located at the east end of “The Fishing Highway,” is another large lake at 1,650 acres and 14 kilometres/9 miles long. This crystal clear water lake supports good populations of Burbot and Rainbow trout averaging 2 pounds. Lac Des Roches is famous for the prolific mayfly hatches that occur during May and June, making the fly fishing top notch. The lake is also one of the most photographed lakes in British Columbia. There is a beautiful view of the lake, with all of its neat little islands and narrow channels, from the Pioneer Macdonald Ranch resta area located on the east end of the lake.

Visitors can combine activities by heading out on horseback to fish secluded lakes. Miles of well-marked scenic trails traverse the central plateau and are ideal for hikers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. Canoeing is also a favourite activity, with lakes that are not too big and lush lakeshore scenery. Resorts around the Interlakes range from very basic cabins and campgrounds to contemporary resorts.

If you visit the Interlakes&

Complete drive in resort facilities are available at the four main lakes, making them ideal locations for the serious angler or family vacations. The resorts offer services ranging from cabins, fully serviced R.V. sites, restaurants, horseback riding, boat rentals, and camp stores to swimming beaches. Three golf courses are within 45 minutes. The village of 100 Mile House, which is a short drive from these lakes, offers all the amenities to ensure your holiday comfort.

Getting There&Highway 97 will take you into the region north from Cache Creek or south from Williams Lake, where the “Fishing Highway,” Highway 24, runs east from Highway 97 at 93 Mile. Those journeying from Edmonton or Calgary, or Banff and Jasper might want to avoid the busy Trans-Canada by trekking through Mount Robson Park, and then south on Highway 5 to Little Fort, then west on the Fishing Highway, for a very scenic and peaceful trek. The highway follows the historic Fur Brigade Trail as it passes from Little Fort to Bridge Lake

For more information&Contact the South Cariboo Visitor Centre, 1-877-511-5353.

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