Big Lake

In the 1890’s, William Parker established the Big Lake Ranch providing early stagecoach and express services as well as running cattle. The ranch was eventually subdivided and sold and has now become the tiny community of Big Lake.

Big Lake is situated along a beautiful stretch of the Likely Road about 50 kilometers east of the City of Williams Lake in the Central Cariboo region and is ideal for various water activities such as swimming, tubing, water-skiing and excellent fishing opportunities year round.

Amenities include Big Lake Community Hall which hosts many local activities, Big Lake Elementary School, and a liquor store, pub, gas station and general store all in one. There are camping areas on the north side of the lake and a couple of boat launches as well.

The Big Lake Country Fair takes place almost every year, and there is the extremely popular annual Big Lake Fish Derby, an exciting and competitive challenge to reel in a big one for some cash prizes.

The main populations of fish in Big Lake are Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout weighing up to 12 pounds, eastern brook trout and lake char up to a trophy size of 30 pounds or more! Trolling, spin casting and fly-fishing are all successful methods used in Big Lake and the best times to fish are in the early and late summer weeks.

Scenic, charming, and lovely, the community of Big Lake is part of the Central Cariboo’s pioneering and ranching history and continues to flourish to this day.