Things To Do
Babine Lake borders the Skeena and Omineca regions. It is the second largest and longest natural lake in British Columbia. The maximum length is 153 km (95 miles) and its maximum width is 10 km (6.2 miles). Average depth is 55 meters (180 feet) and maximum depth is 186 meters (610 feet).
The lake has 37 significant tributaries of which the Sutherland River, Pinkut River, Fulton Creek, Morrison Creek and Shass Creek are considered major.
The Babine River is the main sockeye salmon tributary of the Skeena.
The legendary lake contains large Rainbows to 12+ lbs., Cutthroat to 2-1/2 lbs. and Lake Char that are capable of reaching 35 lbs. Bull Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Dolly Varden, Kokanee, Lake Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Pink Salmon and Steelhead. Fly fishing is fabulous in some areas. The reason for such great fishing is Sockeye Salmon. By the tens of thousands, these Sockeye come home in the fall to spawn in creeks that feed into the Babine Lake.
Shoreline locations include:
- Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park. The six sites include Smithers Landing, Hook (Deep) Bay, Pinkut Creek, Pierre Creek, Sandpoint Sites and Pendleton Bay.
- Topley Landing Provincial Park. This park was established for the protection of cultural and environmental values. Recreational use is not encouraged.
- Red Bluff Provincial Park. Park visitors can swim, sunbathe, angle for a rainbow trout or take in the salmon enhancement projects at nearby Fulton River and Pinkut Creek. Boaters like to explore the extensive shoreline of Babine Lake.
- Lake Babine Nation reserve of Fort Babine, Old Fort, Tachet, and Donald's Landing/Pinkut Creek
- Babine Portage is a campsite located about 12 km north of the Portage Yekooche Reserve along a gravel road, on the west end of Babine Lake.
- Granisle is located to the north of Topley between Burns Lake and Houston.
- Topley Landing is an unincorporated community at the outlet of the Fulton River on the western shore of Babine Lake. The Babine Charger operates from here. Taking mining and logging crews, trucks and equipment across to the other side of the lake. You can speak to the operators and if there is room, you can go across on the barge. There are some areas a person can camp and fish from the shore. The trip across takes about 40 minutes.
Babine lake is huge and so it can be accessed by so many different routes. From Burns Lake, head north on Babine Lake Road. Follow Babine Lake Road for approximately 34 km until you reach Babine Lake.
Granisle can be more easily reached by travelling north from Houston. You can head to Topley and travel north on Granisle Highway or you can take the North Road which will take you there.
From Topley (west of Burns Lake) head north on the Granisle Hwy. Off Hwy 16. This road will take you to the community of Topley Landing situated on the west side of Babine Lake. By following this road further north along the lake you will arrive at the community of Granisle.
Babine Lake can also be reached from Smithers by taking the Babine Lake Road and various connecting roads, northeast to the communities of Smithers Landing and Fort Babine, all of which are located on the lake.
Cabin rentals
Tukii Lodge is located at Smithers Landing. It is nestled along Hooper's Cove. It has cabins and boat rentals and is only a one hour drive from Smithers on Babine Lake Road. Call 1-250-697-6249.
Babine Lake Resort has cabins, camping spots and RV parking available. The lodge carries supplies. It is located 2 hours and 17 minutes from Smithers on Old Babine Road. Call 1-250-692-0363.
Granisle Resort is a self owned condominium-style inn. Located in Granisle and faces Babine Lake. It is 4.8 km from Red Bluff Provincial park. Call 1-(778) 203-6878.
Above four photos were taken across from Bear Island. Has some nice camping spots too.
Babine Lake is a giant magnet for people with all kinds of interests and there are plenty of wildlife species and birds a person could see. Be mindful of bears at all times.
👉There have been a number of Bigfoot sightings around Babine Lake over the years. In 2016, some Houston residents were out fishing in their boat when they seen the creature along the shore of one of the islands.
In 1950, two logging brothers discovered giant tracks out in the Babine Lake Road area. The men followed the tracks and were utterly convinced these tracks were not from a bear. Whatever made them was bipedal and had large strides. Glancing up the alder trees on either side of the trail, they noticed that 20 feet up, the upper branches had been stripped bare. The taller 20 foot trees had 4 inch trunks near the ground. It was very evident that this creature was big, and strong enough to bend over these trees to get at the tips, leaves and buds on the top branches. The twigs that broke off were spit out like humans do with fruit or berry stones. This was reported to John Green.
Barb & Richard Cecil