Stuart Lake

The largest width of Stuart Lake extends 6 to 10 kilometres from shore to shore. The community of Fort St. James is the easiest point to access the lake via a paved road. With a good off road map the lake is also accessed at various points on the lake by some active and deactivated gravel logging roads.

The lake is a popular recreation destination for many locals and visitors but what makes Stuart Lake even more special is that it is part of a chain of lakes extending over 300 kilometres long connecting Stuart with the Trembleur and Takla Lakes. Stuart lake is the main starting point for many.

Together the lakes provide some of the best rugged wilderness scenery in the north of BC via lakes and rivers. The remote, untouched country is a transportation route explored by mostly boaters and canoe enthusiasts. The Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake System is BC's longest migration route for Salmon.

The Tachie River connects Trembleur Lake to Stuart Lake. The river should be approached with caution as it is over 26 km long and consists of fast moving currents spotted with small rapids. The 22 kilometre Middle River connects the Takla to Trembleur Lakes and is recognized as a BC Heritage River.

The chain of lakes work together providing over 630 kilometres of shoreline to explore. The route is rustic and rugged with few amenities along the waterway. There are some small parks and protected coves for anchorage along the boating route. Be aware that heavy winds funnel down the chain of lakes which makes the route difficult and dangerous at times. Plan your route around the weather.

The Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake System provides some remote wilderness scenery when fishing, boating and canoeing. Sports Fishing is huge here with the lake being home to many rainbow trout, kokanee and char. Many of the Fort St. James local parks like the Cottonwood, Paarens and Sowchea Parks have boat launches accessing the chain of lakes from Stuart Lake.

Throughout the chain of lakes are many coves, points and islands to moor a boat. There are a few ideal spots to moor your vessel and take out the binoculars to view some of the wildlife in the area... and there is plenty to see including grizzly bear, wolf, mule and white-tail deer, lynx, fox, beaver, marten, otter, and wolverine.

The most popular marine parks on the chain lake system are the Stuart Lake Marine Park which enjoys four lakeside recreation sites and the 3 marine parks on BC's 5th largest lake - the 96 kilometre long Takla Lake.

Exploring Stuart Lake in Fort St. James, British Columbia, Canada