Located in the majestic and towering Sayward Forest, one of Echo Lake’s best features is that it is accessible for everyone (including people who use wheelchairs). It was developed to encourage families and visitors to get out and get fishing. Each June, the BC Freshwater Fisheries Society hosts events for Family Fishing Weekend. Echo Lake is one of Vancouver Island’s Family Fishing Waters. In 2020, Family Fishing Weekend is June 19-21. Echo Lake supports a thriving fishery for cutthroat, kokanee, and Dolly Varden, and rainbows are stocked regularly to round out the fishing experience. In 2019, 2,500 rainbow trout were released in Echo Lake. One of the lake’s unique features is that it is fed by a very large number of underground springs. This not only keeps the water in the lake circulating, but also brings in an abundance of food for the fish. As a result, some of Echo Lake’s trout have been known to reach over 15 pounds. This is an exceptional size, and many more are in the still-large 5 pound range. Echo Lake is also somewhat unique in that it can challenge experts while still being easy enough for beginners to fish. You can try out your new fly patterns and lures, and you’ll often still catch fish with basic gear. If you want to get fancy, though, good colour choices for Echo Lake are chrome or nickel combinations. Krokodiles in chrome / orange, silver speckled Kwikfish or red / nickel Dick Nite spoons are good producers. The Carey Special and the Doc Spratley are excellent attractor patterns any time of the year. Other common patterns that produce good results are the Pheasant-tail Nymph, 52 Buick, Halfback and Baggie Shrimp. Flies can be trolled with a full sink line in 20–38 cm (8–15 inches) of water, close to the bottom, or cast and retrieved. Varying your speed while trolling or retrieving the fly can be effective at enticing fish to bite. LAKE ACCESS Echo Lake is located 20 km southwest of Campbell River on Hwy 28 to Gold River and is easily accessed at two locations directly off the highway. Boat launch. Electric motors only. Campsites are located nearby, as well as at Echo Lake Resort. The Fish and Game Society, along with the Freshwater Fisheries Society, is currently upgrading the dock and the day-use area.

Echo Lake Park Gets a Facelift

Source: Campbell River Mirror, June 4, 2015 Written by J.R. Rardon "The Fish and Wildlife Club moved one step closer to completing the new day-use site at Echo Lake. The 25,000-pound concrete dock was lifted by crane into the water to replace the small, existing wooden dock at the end of a metal ramp. The ramp extends from shore at a recently improved picnic site with fire pits, table pads and new outhouse. The project was funded through the Fish and Game society’s annual fundraisers, with help from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. The FFSBC recently stocked the lake with 650 catchable-sized rainbow trout, and more fish will be introduced into the lake this year. To access the new day-use site, follow Hwy. 28 just past Echo Lake, turn left on Elk Main (formerly Camp 8 Road) and watch for the day-use site signs." Source: Campbell River Mirror, June 4, 2015 Written by J.R. Rardon http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/community/306177531.html