Boating and angling opportunities abound in and around Mackenzie. Anglers have endless opportunities including fishing for trophy-sized bull trout.
Anglers must purchase and carry an appropriate license to fish in British Columbia, as well as follow the current Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis from the BC Ministry of Environment – Fish & Wildlife website.
While boating is a summer activity, best from late May to late September, fishing can be carried out year-round with ice fishing in the winter months. Morfee Lake and Williston Lake are the nearest lakes to Mackenzie.
Morfee Lake offers a unique opportunity for motorized and non-motorized boaters. The lake narrows in the center creating a separation between the north and south. The southern part of the lake has been zoned to allow only non-motorized boating, such as canoeing, and fishing, and the northern part of the lake is for motorized use.
Turn right at the first site for non-motorized boats and a beach and picnic area. Continue straight to reach the second boat launch for motorized boats where there is also a short trail walk to the point overlooking the two sides. Morfee Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and lake trout, and is also home to mountain and lake whitefish.
Williston Lake and Bull Trout Fishing
Williston Lake has a boat launch at Mackenzie Landing, located approximately 8km/5mi from Mackenzie. Some locations on Williston Lake offer excellent opportunities to catch bull trout, rainbow trout, rocky mountain whitefish and lake whitefish.
Winter hazards to be aware of on Williston Lake include pressure ridges, gas holes, open water, and broken shoreline. Summer hazards for boaters and others include debris in the water such as stumps, snags, log booms, strong winds, and strong currents.
Gantahaz, Heather and Tudyah Lakes Fishing
Gantahaz Lake, located approximately 5km/3mi north of Mackenzie, has lake white fish and brook trout. During a period in the early summer, thousands of Western Toad and Wood Frog tadpoles and later hatchlings can also be seen on the shoreline along Gantahaz Lake. There is a trail along the road from town to Gantahaz Lake, as well as an easy 3.7km/2.3mi narrow, scrubby trail around the lake.
Heather Lake, located 25km/15.5mi north of Mackenzie along the Parsnip West Forest Service Road, has rainbow trout and bull trout, and Dina Lake #1 has introduced rainbow trout and brook trout. Dina #1 is a popular ice fishing lake. Heather Lake has a gravel boat launch, while Dina Lake has a small area to launch a non-motorized boat as a motorized restriction is in place for 7.5kw (10 horsepower) or less.
Located 40km/25mi south on Highway 97 from Mackenzie Junction, Tudyah Lake Provincial Park is an option for anglers and boaters, with a concrete boat launch. The park features a campground with 36 vehicle-accessible sites, generally open from May 15th to September 30th. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are the main recreational fish species. From Tudyah Lake the Parsnip River can also be accessed for some river fishing.
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