Quesnel Lake
Lake Deep fjord-like lake in British Columbia
Quesnel Lake in British Columbia offers deep, cold waters framed by forested shores; anglers, boaters and backcountry campers use it as a base for fishing and wilderness access.
Quesnel Lake is a large glacial lake in central British Columbia, Canada, noted for its deep waters and steep-sided basins. It is a significant inland waterbody in the Cariboo region.
The lake supports recreational fishing, boating and wilderness access, with the small community of Likely at the southern end serving as the main point of entry. Scenery is dominated by forested shorelines and narrow fjord-like channels carved by glacial action.
Formed by glacial processes, the lake has long been used by local communities for fishing and transport. It figures in regional natural-resource and recreation planning for the Cariboo area.
Situated in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia, Quesnel Lake lies southeast of the city of Quesnel and is accessed via road from regional highways and the community of Likely.
- Recreation access: Home to extensive recreational fishing and boating opportunities and accessed from the small community of Likely at the lake's southern end.
- Depth and character: Known regionally for very deep glacial waters and steep-sided basins, making it distinctive among British Columbia lakes.
Tips for Visiting Quesnel Lake #
- Plan visits in summer and early fall for the most reliable road access and calmer weather on the lake; many of the lake's best bays and fishing/boating spots are only practical outside the freeze or shoulder seasons.
- Use the community of Likely on the eastern shore as the primary road-access point and launch area for recreational boats; for more remote arms of the lake consider booking a local guide, charter boat or floatplane to reach quieter coves.
- If you want solitude or better fishing, head up the less-visited northern and western arms of the lake rather than the shoreline closest to the town - those areas see far fewer day visitors.
Best Time to Visit Quesnel Lake #
The best time to visit Quesnel Lake is mid-summer to early fall (July-September) when the lake is ice-free and recreation/fishing access is easiest.
Weather & Climate near Quesnel Lake #
Quesnel Lake's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (735 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain.
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
