Vancouver Island and Coast / *

Lakes on Vancouver Island

Lakes and Reservoirs

This collection features diverse freshwater and tidal bodies across Vancouver Island and the Central Coast. Highlights include Cowichan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes on the island, and Nitinat Lake, a unique tidal fjord known for strong thermal winds. Explore the rugged wilderness of Strathcona Provincial Park at Buttle Lake or visit Fairy Lake to see the famous Douglas fir growing from a submerged log. These sites range from remote alpine basins to accessible recreation areas used for fishing, paddling, and hiking.

Lakes and Reservoirs — Map

A

Amedroz Lake

Amedroz Lake is a lake located on Vancouver Island south of Pipestem Inlet and west of Effingham Inlet.

B

Fairy Lake

Located near Port Renfrew, this lake is famous for a small Douglas fir tree growing on a submerged log in the middle of the water.

C

Kemp Lake

A freshwater lake near Sooke that serves as a local water source and a quiet spot for fishing.

D

Cutthroat Lake

A remote lake in the Central Coast region near the Bella Coola valley.

E

Junker Lake

Also known as Lac Turner, this water body is situated in the remote wilderness of the Central Coast.

F

Anderson Lake

Situated near Port Renfrew, this lake is part of the San Juan River watershed.

G

Nitinat Lake

A 23-kilometre-long tidal fjord on the southwest coast, known for consistent thermal winds that attract kiteboarders and windsurfers.

H

Hobiton Lake

Located within the Ditidaht First Nation traditional territory near Nitinat Lake, known for its sockeye salmon run.

I

Knight Lake (Indian Lake)

A lake located within the Nanaimo River watershed on central Vancouver Island.

J

Nanaimo Lakes

A chain of four lakes located south of Nanaimo, primarily used for forestry, fishing, and seasonal camping.

K

Moriarty Lake

A high-elevation lake located west of Nanaimo near the slopes of Mount Moriarty.

L

Cowichan Lake

One of the largest freshwater lakes on Vancouver Island, stretching 30 kilometres and serving as a major hub for boating and fly fishing.

M

Buttle Lake

Buttle Lake is a lake on Vancouver Island in Strathcona Regional District, British Columbia, Canada.

N

Lower Murrelet Lake

A small lake located in the rugged backcountry of the Bedwell River valley near Strathcona Provincial Park.

O

Upper Murrelet Lake

Situated in the Bedwell River drainage, north of Tofino in a remote mountainous area.

P

Lower Solstice Lake

A high-elevation tarn located near the Bedwell River trail in the Vancouver Island mountains.

Q

Upper Soltice Lake

An alpine lake situated in the remote terrain of central Vancouver Island, accessible via strenuous hiking routes.

R

Snag Lake

A remote lake located in the Bedwell River valley area within the Vancouver Island wilderness.

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