There’s a reason our license plates say “Beautiful British Columbia”, and Atluck Lake, south of Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, is a prime example of this pristine natural landscape.

Atluck Lake is long and deep with a complex underwater structure. At the southern end of the lake, islands abound. Take your family there to investigate a network of trails and caves, fit for exploring and adventuring.

Atluck Lake is stocked with rainbows. The lake also has a healthy stock of cutthroats and dolly varden that keep this a little slice of heaven for anglers. The best fishing is in late spring, and early to mid autumn.

Atluck Lake is somewhat of a secret, and the fish can be quite easily enticed by plugs, spoons, or spinners. Troll out from the boat launch and through the dropoff areas. Some of the best structure is around the islands nearer the south side. Be wary of sudden winds whipping round the narrower parts of the vast lake, and be sure to use caution in small boats!

Atluck Lake flows into Nimpkish Lake to the north. Nimpkish Lake attracts people for all types of fun, from windsurfing on the wilder southern end, and fishing and hiking in the calmer north end. For cutthroat and rainbow trout, head to nearby Mukwilla Lake, 48 kilometres south of Port McNeil.

If you’re looking for spectacular cutthroat trout, hit up Tskio Lake, where fish of up to 40 cm are not uncommon! As well, Wolf Lake abounds with cutthroat, and is just a hop, skip, and jump away from Atluck— a nice little day trip if you want a change of scenery.

LAKE ACCESS

Atluck Lake is located about 50 km south of Port McNeill. Head down Hwy. 19 for about 42 km. Turn onto Atluck Road and follow this for about 14 km to the rec site at the north end of the lake. The rec site has pit toilets and a boat launch. During the week, be wary of active logging trucks in the area.