Tyee Lake is a locally renowned trophy lake in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, surrounded by ranches, crown forest, lakes, rivers and ponds. Peace and tranquility prevail at Tyee Lake, a fabulous destination for outdoor adventure.
Quiet logging roads lead travellers through the beautiful scenery in the area, allowing a true appreciation of the magnificence of the Cariboo. Tyee Lake is popular with fishermen and water-skiers, but access is limited by private development.
Location: Tyee Lake is located east of the Cariboo Highway 97, midway between Williams Lake and Quesnel. Tyee Lake is approximately 470 miles (750 km) due north of Vancouver (8 hours). The closest airport is located in Williams Lake. To get to Tyee Lake, drive approx 28 miles (45 km) north of Williams Lake to just north of the village of McLeese Lake. Turn east off the highway onto Beaver Lake Road. Fork right on the gravel Beaver Lake road after 3.4 km, and travel a further 9.3 km to the Tyee Lake Resort Road (turn right).
Fishing: Tyee Lake is a locally renowned trophy lake both during the summer and winter. Rainbow trout average 1 lbs to 18 lbs (Gerrard strain), and a soaring number of Kokanee to 2 lbs are prolific in the lake. Trolling is a common method of angling, as lake depths can reach 140 feet. Fly-fishing is excellent in the shoals, sandbars and during a hatch. Mayfly and caddis fly hatches occur all summer long, and during the spring dragonfly and damselflies cloud the shoreline. Ice-fishing on Tyee Lake is popular during winter.
Fishing is great in the Cariboo; there are literally thousands of lakes, ponds, and rivers in this region. The area around Tyee Lake is dotted with small lakes, reached either by four-wheel-drive vehicle or by hiking. Jackson Lake (20 mins by truck to Jackson’s Hole) and Elk Lake off Beaver Lake Road (30 mins by truck) are both fly-fishing-only lakes with the average trout around 3lbs, and occasionally reaching up to 9 lbs.
Tyee Lake Recreation Site is located on the central eastern shore of Tyee lake, offering a boat launch and picnic tables. Recreation sites are also established at Jackson Lake (Jackson’s Hole Rec Site), Howes Lake, and Forest Lake.
Wildlife abounds in the area; Mammals include bears, moose, mule deer, martins, beavers, wolves, foxes, and coyotes, and birdlife includes Sandhill cranes, osprey, Great Horned owls, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Waterfowl species are numerous, including loons and Canada geese.
Hiking and Biking: Logging roads criss-cross the region providing access to scenic vistas, remote wildlife habitat and productive fishing holes.
Winter: Winter activities at Tyee Lake include outdoor skating and hockey – the ice is cleared and prepared by the Tyee Lake Resort, the only resort located on Tyee Lake. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, and dogsledding are other popular winter activities. Wide open wilderness and frozen lakes invite snowmobilers to the Cariboo during winter to participate in snowmobile races, or to venture out for the pure adventure of it. Cross-country skiers can also head for the 30 kilometres of well maintained trails at the Bull Mountain Trails, 20 km north of Williams Lake, and to the Corner Lake Ski Trail, 7 km southwest of Horsefly.
Set in the heart of what were once goldfields, the large lake at Horsefly Lake Provincial Park is now mainly used by anglers – a good fishing spot for rainbow trout. The park is located 13 km northeast of Horsefly, and facilities include vehicle/tent campsites, a picnic/day-use area, and a boat launch. And, yes, the biting-insect population here is the reason for the lake’s name.
South of Tyee Lake is Williams Lake, the focal point and service centre for the ranches of the Cariboo and Chilcotin regions since the turn of the century. Set in the heart of the Frontier, Williams Lake is renowned for the annual Williams Lake Stampede.
North of Tyee Lake on the Cariboo Highway is the picturesque community of Quesnel, the Gold Panning Capital of the World, located in a quiet valley surrounded by beautiful green mountains and lush forests.
The route from Williams Lake to Quesnel follows the Fraser River, passing points of interest such as McLeese Lake, First Nations attractions at Soda Creek, and the trip across the Fraser River via the Marguerite Ferry.
