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Go Fish!“The Interlakes Region of the South Cariboo is a Fisher’s Dream.”By Jamie Ross“So many lakes ... so little time.”
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.
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 average Rainbow trout weighs in at 3 ½ 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 produced Lake trout over 20 pounds, Kokanee over 4 pounds and Rainbow over 5 pounds.
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 favorite 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. The Montana Hill Guest Ranch is in the Interlakes District, east of 100 Mile House. It combines a beautiful lodge with such activities as horse riding and fishing for a memorable ranch experience. Contact them at (250) 593-4255 - www.montanahillguestranch.bc.ca 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 Information Centre, 1-877- 511-5353. Photography by Peter Castonguay |
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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.
Fawn, with its crystal clear green water, is the
smallest of the “Interlakes” waters. This nutrient rich lake supports trout
up to 6 pounds, the average running 2 ½ pounds. This lake has a surface
area of 80 acres with extensive shallow areas making it ideal for fly
fishing. 
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 rest
area located on the east end of the lake.