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AREA DATA:
This region is found in north-central British
Columbia, encompassing the territory along
Highway 16 starting 40 km west of Prince George to Endako,
and including the communities around Stuart Lake
to the north. This area is about 40 km to 170
kilometers west of Prince George, about a 30
minute to 2 hour drive by car under good
conditions. It is about 885 km to 954 km from
the Lower Mainland, or an 11 hour drive under
good conditions.
The Stuart Lake area includes some
of the most pristine freshwater lakes in British
Columbia. Chief among the many lakes located in
this area, Stuart Lake is the seventh largest
lake in the province. Several of these lakes are linked by
the mighty Stuart and Nechako Rivers. Around the
crystal clear waters, the forested mountains and
interior plateaus mark the landscape, with
spruce, pine and birch forests dominating the
highlands and hills. With forests and lakes,
mountains and valleys, everyone can enjoy their
surroundings in this area. |
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The Stuart Lake region is located
within B.C.’s Northern and Central Plateaus and
Mountains. The climate here, compared to the
rest of British Columbia, tends to be colder.
Long snowy winters can plunge to -13.9 degrees
Celsius
and can receive up to 165 cm of
snow per year, opening up opportunities for
winter sports, such as ice fishing, ice skating
and skiing in this area. During the summer, the
temperature can hit 23
degrees Celsius in Vanderhoof, making it perfect
for summer sports on the many lakes in the area.
Wildlife is attracted to the lakes and rivers in
this region British Columbia. The pine and
cedar forests of this region provide a home to black
and grizzly bear, moose, elk, wolves and deer.
The rare albino moose makes its home in the
region. Trumpeter swans winter in the Upper
Stuart area and Fraser Lake is called the “Swan
Capital of the world”. Fishing is beyond compare
in these lakes, with
kokanee, char, burbot, rainbow grout and even
sturgeons found here. The Stuart River system is
a key river system for wild sockeye salmon, who
return to spawn in the areas north of Stuart
Lake.
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Access:
Access to communities in the
Stuart-Nechako area is by paved highway. You
may access this area using the Yellowhead
Highway (Number 16) from Prince George.
Access to Fort Saint John is via Highway
27.
Distances between Vancouver and
the major cities are:
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Vanderhoof: 885 km
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Fort Saint James: 941 km
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Fraser Lake: 937 km
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Endako: 954 km
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Fort Fraser |
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Air Service:
The nearest commercial airport is at Prince
George. The Prince George airport was upgraded
with a new International Customs area which
opened in December 2005. Regular air service is
provided by Air Canada’s
Jazz Airlines,
Central
Mountain Air, and
WestJet to Vancouver and other
points in British Columbia, western Canada, and
the world. Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake and Fort
Saint James airports can handle smaller private
aircraft and charters.
Rail Service:
Via Rail offers service to Fort Fraser and Vanderhoof.
Major Cities:
This area’s economy is centred on the
natural resources of north-central BC. Key
industries include forestry, mining, agriculture
and tourism. Vanderhoof is a centre for the
agricultural industry, with hay, grain and other
fodders produced for the nearby ranches. Dairy
and beef cattle sheep and swine are important to
this market. Mines around Endako and Germansen
Landing produce molybdenum and other mineral
deposits. |
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Ranch on Nulki Lake |
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The real estate market in this
region is increasing at a moderate rate. . BC
Assessment notes that the overall assessment
rolls in this area showed increases over last
year from 3% in Fraser Lake to 9% in Vanderhoof.
Prince George Deputy Assessor Gerhard Brosch
noted that growth in the assessment rolls was
due to the changing market values of many of the
properties but also included subdivisions,
rezoning and new construction.
Major centers in the area include: |
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Vanderhoof:
The commercial centre for this area, this
community of 4727 citizens is the geographic centre of
British Columbia. Vanderhoof provides all services to the
Stuart-Nechako area. Stop here to gather
supplies before continuing to explore the rest
of the region.
Recreation:
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The lakes surrounding
Vanderhoof are well known for their fresh
water fishing opportunities. Tachick, Nulki,
and Finger Lake all have their share of
fishermen aiming for the resident rainbow,
kokanne and char.
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Omineca Golf Course is
a challenging 18 hole, par 72 course.
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This area is a popular
spot for bird watchers in British Columbia.
Many make the pilgrimage to the Vanderhoof
Bird Sanctuary, where the tens of thousands
of Canadian Geese make a pit stop on their
journey along the Pacific Flyway. They are
usually joined by migratory hawks and owls.
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Experienced and
beginner canoers will enjoy the routes along
the Nechako river, as well as the calm
waters of the freshwater lakes in the area.
Fort St. James:
Situated on the banks of the serene Stuart Lake,
this community of 2003 people is the gateway to the
recreational opportunities located in this area.
A designated National Historic Site, this
community celebrates their 200th
anniversary this year. |
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Recreation:
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Stuart Lake has some of the best trout
fishing in British Columbia. Rainbow trout
can range between 8 to 15 pounds. Char, lake
trout and burbot can also be caught in this
region.
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Stuart Lake Golf
Course is a 9 hole course overlooking Stuart
Lake. It is open seasonally from April to
September.
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In the winter,
Murray
Ridge Ski Hill offers fresh powder for
downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as
groomed cross country skiing trails.
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The
Fort St James Historic Site is
a restored and reconstructed version of the
trading post established here by Simon
Fraser in 1806, although it has been
restored to the 1890’s version.
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Northern B.C’s answer to the West
Coast Trail, the Spatsizi Overlander
Adventure Ride is an informal trail from
Fort St John to South-East Alaska.
Recommended for advanced cyclists only, as
there is no estimate for how long it could
take to complete this course.
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Stuart Lake |
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Fraser Lake:
Found at the end of the
Douglas Channel, this village with a population
of 1367 is the
gateway to the Lakes District, a recreational
paradise, with over 170 lakes within a 50 mile
radius.
Recreation:
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Fraser Lake
is perfect for freshwater fishing. Fly
fishermen can test their rods against the
famous summer salmon run of the Stellako
River. The lake itself offers opportunities
for rainbow and lake trout, ling cod and
lake char.
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Molyhills Golf Course
is a 18 hole course found at nearly Francois
Lake.
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Fraser Lake
is extremely popular with locals and
out-of-towners alike for its sandy beaches,
swimming, waterskiing and windsurfing.
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Trials on Mouse
Mountain and along the northern shores of
Fraser Lake serve double duty. In the
summer, hikers and mountain bikers explore
its paths, and in the winter, cross country
skiers and snow-shoers take a turn on the
trails.
National and Provincial Parks
The Stuart-Nechako region does not have any
national parks within its borders. There are
several provincial parks in this area, most
protecting fragile habitat and the wildlife that
exists in Northwest British Columbia. Major
parks in this area include
Paarens Beach,
Beaumont and
Stuart Lake Marine Provincial Park.
We note that the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and
the Arts maintain many forest recreational sites
in this area. |
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Welcome to the Stuart-Nechako Region- a
recreational paradise in our beautiful British
Columbia.
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Click here for more information:
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Stuart-Nechako e-Community
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce
Northern B.C. Tourism
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BC
Parks
Forest Recreation Sites Locator
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