Bridge Lake

• Lodging in this community
• Camping in this community 

History

The small community of Bridge Lake, located in the Interlakes district of the Southern Cariboo, was originally situated on the historic Fur Brigade Trail. The Fur Brigade Trail dates back to the early pioneer days of fur trading and was a combination of waterways and overland trails, used to connect trading posts. After the construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road during the 1860s the Fur Brigade Trail became redundant.

The beautiful Interlakes area is aptly named the "Fishing Highway", as anglers can access over 300 lakes, making this one of the best fishing spots in British Columbia.

Location

Bridge Lake is located on Highway 24, midway between Lone Butte and Little Fort on Highway 5, approximately 6 hours northeast of Vancouver, 2 hours from Kamloops in the Okanagan Valley, and 56 km (35 mi) southeast of 100 Mile House on Cariboo Highway 97.

Places to See

• Sheridan Lake

Nearby Sheridan Lake is famous for its crystal clear water and abundance of rainbow trout. Each year the lake, fed by underground springs, is stocked with over 350,000 trout, many growing to be in the 14 to 16 pound range. Fishing enthusiasts flock here in early May, after the ice has melted, to fish for rainbow trout. Man-made spawning channels can be seen full of spawning fish around May. Call the visitor centre for details.

• Bonaparte Lake and Valley

Located just south of Bridge Lake is the Bonaparte Lake and Plateau. Accessible via logging roads, this lake is the dominant lake and river system in the Southern Cariboo, offering excellent freshwater fishing. Spend an afternoon fishing here for some of the many rainbow and kokanee trout that are available in vast quantities.

Things to do

• Fishing

The Bridge lake area is known as one of the best places in British Columbia to catch fish. In this region, anglers primarily fish for rainbow trout; sometimes for kokanee, char, and brook trout. Various lakes are well known for trophy fishing with rainbow trout often ranging in weight, from 14 to 16 lbs. Interlakes resorts and shops can supply you with all of your fishing needs. During the winter ice fishing is also a popular sport and is practiced on many of the lakes in this area.

• Horseback Riding

Many of the trails surrounding Bridge Lake and the Interlakes area are excellent for horseback riding. Some of the secluded trails are easily accessible on horseback; anglers often pack their fly-rod on their saddle and embark on a quiet afternoon of fishing and riding.

• Cross-Country Skiing

Throughout the winter months, the Bridge Lake area boasts excellent conditions for cross country skiing. Once the nearby Canim Lake has frozen over, the landscape is transformed into a significant backcountry touring area. There are several lodges at Canim Lake which remain open year-round.

• Snowmobiling

The landscape surrounding Bridge Lake is a popular location for snowmobiling. The Interlakes District is committed to maintaining a network of trails designed for snowmobiling enthusiasts of all skill levels. The area is rich with fields, meadows, rolling hills, and mountains - all of which provide excellent snowmobiling conditions.

Events

• Interlakes Ice Fishing Derby

This annual one-day event takes place mid-February at Sheridan Lake just west of Bridge Lake off Hwy 24. Tickets are available to purchase on site. 

• Bridge Lake Stampede
The Interlakes Rodeo is held in August each year. Come along and watch cowboys participate in a sanctioned rodeo followed by a Saturday night dance! This event takes place at the Interlakes/Roe Lake Community Grounds.  

Nearby Communities

• 100 Mile House
• 70 Mile House
• Canim Lake
• Clearwater
• Lac La Hache
• Little Fort
• Lone Butte
• Sheridan Lake

Contact Information

South Cariboo Visitor Centre
Box 340, 155 Airport Rd.
100 mile House, BC V0K 2E0
Tel: 1-250-395-5353
Fax: 1-250-395-4085
Toll Free: 1-877-511-5353
E-mail: info@southcaribootourism.ca
Web: http://www.southcaribootourism.ca