Spectacular caves full of stalactites and stalagmites are the chief draws of Horne Lake Provincial Park, but the area still offers a great fishing experience for the dedicated angler. Horne Lake has good fishing even through the winter, but your best bet is to try your luck in the spring. Trout are the big draw for anglers. Targeting cutthroat trout can be similar to fishing for rainbows. Fished through the dropoffs, small spinners and spoons are reliable producers all season. Try the southwest bay, or near the inflow and outflow of the river. As well, there is a small island in the eastern basin. The deeper section near there is a good place to start in the heat of the summer. Famous for its excellent salmon fishing, Qualicum River is a treat in itself. From the West side, Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park provides access to a bridge, as well as access to the river where small boats can be launched from the rough shoreline. To control the water flow from Horne Lake, a dam and a sluice gate have been installed. This maintains protection from flood and drought and increases the survival of fish fry. If you want to make your trip a family affair, a world-famous caving park and family adventure camps round out the experience at Horne Lake Provincial Park. LAKE ACCESS From Highway 19, take the Horne Lake Road exit (#75), drive inland to Horne Lake Caves Road, turn right and follow the north shore of the lake all the way to the parks. It is about 13 kilometres from the highway to the parks. The road is gravel with narrow blind corners, actively used by logging trucks every day. Please drive with your headlights on and obey the traffic and speed limit signs. Horne Lake Provincial Park offers camping (single and group), along with boating, day-use picnicking and swimming. The communities of Qualicum Bay and Bowser are situated about 25 kilometres to the east along the oceanfront, and provide the nearest location for gas, groceries, restaurants and other amenities.

Big Rock at Horne Lake

A very cool rock at Horne Lake on Vancouver Island.

I fish this lake all

I fish this lake all the time. Even on the slowest days we will set out for where the river flows into the lake and work the drop off. Cutthroat are always feeding in this area, schools of fish have been found in the south western end of the lake as the water temp is hitting close to 70 fer. There are many trees in this area in the lake where there are plenty of fishing hiding from the sun. The best action is first thing in the morning or right around 9 pm at night it starts back up. Try using lake troll around the drop offs and you won't be dissapoionted