Water
Activities
Boating, Floating and Paddling
Houston’s waterways offer calm when you seek it and energy when you don’t. Glide across Silverthorne Lake or Irrigation (Dunalter) Lake — quiet, reflective, and close enough to town for an effortless escape. With more than 20 lakes nearby, there’s no shortage of choices, each offering something unique.
Lake Info
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| Lake Name | KM From Houston | Stocked/Unstocked | Fish Species | Boat Launch/Access | Camping Spots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babine Lake | 78km | Rainbow Trout, Char, Cutthroat | Coho, Kokanee, Sockeye, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Cutthroat Trout, Char, Whitefish, Burbot | Boat Launch | Red Bluff (34 Sites) Pendleton Bay (13 Sites) Pinkut Creek (5 Sites) Smithers Landing (8 Sites) Hook(Deep) Bay (Wilderness Camping) Pierre Creek (Wilderness Camping), Sandpoint (Wilderness Camping) |
| Barrett Lake | 15 km | Stocked Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | Road requires 4×4 |
| Chisholm Lake | 61 km | Cutthroat Trout | Rough Camping | ||
| Collins Lake | 60 km | Cutthroat Trout, Sucker Fish | Camping Area | ||
| Francios Lake | 103 km | Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Burbot, Kokanee, Dolly Varden, Lake Whitefish, Char | Sawmill Point – Boat Launch Several Lodges also have boat launches (check with lodges first) | Francois West (4 Sites), Noralee East (9 sites), Sawmill Point (Rough Camping) |
|
| Helen Lake | 22 km | Stocked Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout | Boat Launch | 6 sites, Wheelchair Access, Swimming Dock, Rough Camping |
| Hidden Lake | 24 km | Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | Rough Camping | |
| Horseshoe Lake | 99 km | Rainbow Trout Brook Trout | Non-Motorized Electric Motors Only | Rough Camping | |
| Irrigation (Dunalter) Lake | 17 km | Stocked Kokanee/Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout | Kokanee/Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat | Non-Motorized Electric Motors Only | Day-use Campground & Picnic Area |
| Klinger Lake | 14 km | Stocked Eastern Brook Trout/ Rainbow Trout | Eastern Brook Trout/ Rainbow Trout | Canoe Access/ Non-Motorized | Room for Tenting |
| Lu Lake | 37 km | Stocked Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch, Non-Motorized | |
| Maxan Lake | 66 km | Burbot, Rainbow Trout, Char | Boat Launch | 12 Sites | |
| McBride Lake | 75 km | Lake Char, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout *Lake Trout Release | Boat Launch | ||
| Morice Lake | 84 km | Chinook, Coho, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Lake Trout | Boat Launch | 18 Sites, BC Provincial Park | |
| Nadina Lake | 86 km | Rainbow Trout, Kokanee | Boat Launch | 5 Sites | |
| Newcombe Lake | 93 km | Rainbow Trout, Kokanee | |||
| Ootsa Lake | 112 km via Morice River Road 143 km via Hwy 16, 35 | Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Lake Char, Northern Pikeminnow | Ootsa Landing (3 Sites) Little Andrew Bay (8 Sites) |
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| Owen Lake | 40 km | Rainbow Trout, Burbot, Sucker, Dolly Varden, Lake Trout, Char | Boat Launch | 13 Sites | |
| Paul Lake | 65 km | Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | 6 Sites | |
| Round Lake (Lacroix lake) | 40 km | Cutthroat Trout | Cutthroat Trout | Boat Launch Electric Motors Only | |
| Silverthorne (Erikson) Lake | 14 km | Rainbow Trout | Gravel Boat Launch , Electric Motors Only | 9 Sites | |
| Skinny Lake | 94 km | Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Burbot | Electric Motors Only | ||
| Sunset Lake | 35 km | Historical Records of fish found in this lake are Burbot, Largescale Sucker, Lake Chub, Longnose Sucker, Lake Whitefish, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth Chub & Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | 12 sites | |
| Sweeny Lake | 122 km | Historical Records of fish found in this lake are Burbot, Largescale Sucker & Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | 4 Sites (East) 2 Sites (West) |
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| Tagetochlain (Poplar) Lake | 77 km | Rainbow Trout, Lake Char | Boat Launch | 7 sites | |
| Twinkle Lake | 101 km | Rainbow Trout | Boat Launch | 6 sites | |
| Vallee Lake (Johnson Lake) | 15 km | Stocked Rainbow Trout | Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout | Boat Launch |
Chase the current
If it’s current you’re after, the Morice River is a must. Starting at the glassy expanse of Morice Lake, the river winds through gentle Class I waters before picking up pace with a few fun Class II sections. Pull out at By-Mac Park in Houston—a peaceful end to your paddle—or follow the flow to meet the Bulkley River, extending your journey to Telkwa or Smithers.
For seasoned paddlers or those ready to explore further, Nenikëkh/Nanika-Kidprice Park offers a challenge worth the effort. Tucked between the Sibola and Morice mountain ranges, this backcountry destination rewards adventurers with pristine lakes, three portage trails, and views framed by 2,400-metre glaciated peaks. Whether you’re paddling, hiking, or soaking it all in, this is a place where nature finds those who meet it halfway.