Things To Do
Owen Lake is a popular place to go for weekend and long weekend camping with friends and large groups. I hired a floatplane for a couple hours back in 2016 to have an overhead view of my research project areas. We met the plane at Owen Lake. - Barb
The recreation site is located at approximately 39 km on the Morice Owen Forest Service Road. You turn off Highway 16 at Monster Industries, outside Houston and follow the road up past the sawmills and industrial area. Keep following the road to around the 39 km mark before you reach the turnoff to the lake.
The road is radio controlled. Logging trucks, crew trucks, mining trucks and heavy equipment hauling trucks do travel this route. They have priority on this road. There is plenty of room for two-way traffic. Just watch for dust and flying gravel when you meet these trucks.
You will also need to watch out for grizzlies, black bears, moose, elk, and deer on the roads. You wouldn't want to run in to any one of those.
It's a nice drive. You will follow the Morice River for a while in certain areas.
At the tip of Owen Lake is a large open and grassy area providing space for 20 units. The popular site is mainly visited for the water activities including swimming, canoeing and fishing. There is a boat launch and dock, a beach as well as nearby hiking trails. The popular site is well developed and includes wheelchair accessible toilets, picnic tables and firepits.
Owen Lake is a popular recreation lake with good fishing for rainbow trout and lake trout. Most of the rainbow trout are in the one- to two-pound range while the lake trout can reach up to 20 pounds. When fishing for rainbows, a Willow Leaf and worm is a good place to start. Another popular lure is the smaller size Apex Troutkillers in black or blue and with silver specks.
Fly fishers can try a stonefly nymph or Dragon Butler pattern. In the warmer weather, the rainbow trout will migrate to deeper reaches of the lake and a fishfinder can help locate the best depth to target these fish.
When going after lake trout, try using a Williams Wobbler, Flatfish or Rapala Minnow. Make sure to get your line down deep and, if necessary, use a downrigger.
Maximum depth is 95 feet.
👉At the far end of the lake, from Tahtsa FSR, Bigfoot vocal activity was picked up in July of 2015. Sounded like females and younger vocals. There was also splashing in a swampy area out of sight. The day was very hot. No one was at Owen Lake at the time. Upon entering the area off the road, an electronic 'beep' sounded. Amplified and in stereo. Possibly an alert of my presence. - Barb
Tagetochlain Lake (also known as Popular Lake)
Tahtsa FSR is located up past the end of Owen Lake. The turn off will be on your right. Approximately 21 km along this route will take you to Tagetochlain Lake. It's a very scenic drive. There is a spot along the river before you reach the lake which has a couple of good spots a person can setup camp too. There is a cattleguard and there might be some cattle as you get nearer to the lake.
The lake has a boat launch and 6 campsites. Picnic tables and outhouses. The lake supports good populations of Rainbow trout and Lake Char. The most popular methods used to catch Rainbows up to 3-1/2 lbs. are trolling with lures and spinning gear. Fly fishing has also been successful. Large spoons and plugs, trolled deep, is your best bet for large Lake Char which are capable of reaching 25+ lbs.
Maximum depth is 200 feet.
Besides fishing, its a good lake for swimming and a place to have a picnic. The location is remote and so your chances of coming cross some wildlife along the way are pretty good. There are grizzlies, black bears and wolves a person needs to watch for. Last time I was in the area was in 2016. The wolf pack had killed a dozen calves within a month or so of having been let out in the area. There were also two grizzlies who were stealing the wolves kills. Forcing the wolves to have to kill again. The rancher had to hire a tracker to set wolf traps. Lynx, and other animals a person might see as well. - Barb
👉This was an area of one of my research projects I called the Nadina Project. I am aware of a Bigfoot family unit in the area. The adult male has a track measuring 18 inches. The adult female 11 inches and in 2015, a juvenile track measuring 9.5 inches. In 2015, I discovered tracks along the river not far from the lake. The family unit had been traveling up river on a weekly basis during the months of June and July until a wildfire broke out near Whitesail Lake. Sending smoke all the way in to the town of Houston. This of course changed all wildlife patterns and made it difficult to be out there. - Barb
👉2015 near Twinkle Lake, Bigfoot tracks measuring 10 to 11 inches long were discovered along Nadina FSR. Three, plus a partial track impression were found a half inch deep in solid gravel. Bigfoot came from the wooded area, abruptly turned and then headed back in to the woods. The animal's stride was 6 feet apart. The distance between abrupt turn and last impression was 15 feet. May have been spooked by an oncoming vehicle. - Barb
Other lakes nearby:
Nadina Lake
Nadina Lake is 33 minutes (27.6 km) south of Tagetochlain Lake on the Morice Tahtsa FSR.
Famous for its wild Rainbow trout which sometimes reach 10+ lbs., Nadina also contains good populations of Kokanee. However it's the large Rainbow that fishermen are after and it is best accomplished by trolling with spoons, plugs or spinners, however don't forget the fly, as many large Rainbow have fallen prey to a well dressed Doc Spratley.
A 5 unit open campsite is set on an old mill site along the north shore of Nadina Lake. Boats can be launched there. This is a popular fishing and canoeing area that has a great view of the Sibola Mountains. It has picnic tables and outhouses.
Newcombe Lake
Newcombe Lake is 38 minutes (35 km) southwest of Tagetochlain Lake. It is also well known for its excellent wild Rainbow fishery and should definitely be fished while visiting this area.
There are two routes to get to Newcombe Lake. If you are coming from the town of Houston:
- Head west of town and turn onto the Morice River FSR
- At 27 km keep going straight onto the Morice-Owen FSR
- At 56.5 km turn right onto the Nadina Main FSR
- At 74 km turn right onto the Hill Tout FSR
- At 79 km turn right onto the Duel Lakes Rd
- At 98.75 km there is the junction with the Barr Lake Road:
North portage:
To access the north portage keep to the right at 98.75km junction and continue on the Duel Lakes Road.
At around 101.75 km the trail heads off on the left in a cutblock. The trail goes through the middle of the block and is buffered by residual smaller trees from the harvesting. The north portage is approx. 370m and easy to follow.
South Portage:
The south access can be done only with 4 wheel drive and needs good clearance. To access the south portage turn left at the 98.75km junction onto the Barr Lake Road. At 101 km turn right. Just before 102 km turn right onto an unmarked road. Keep left at the next junction and follow the road until it stops. The trail takes off on the left.
A note: Signs might not have been replaced since 2018 wildfire. Best to look it up on maps if you are not familiar with the area.
Barb & Richard Cecil