| Loon Lake | |
| Pushpin Map: | British Columbia |
| Location: | British Columbia V0K 1K0, Canada |
| Coords: | 51.1033°N -121.2533°W |
| Basin Countries: | Canada |
| Area: | 6.936km2 |
| Max-Depth: | 64.9m (212.9feet) |
| Elevation: | 817m (2,680feet) |
| Reference: | Loon Lake |
Loon Lake is a 6.936km2 lake north of Cache Creek in British Columbia, Canada, and is part of the "Land of Hidden Waters".[1] [2]
In July of 2017, infrastructure surrounding the lake was damaged by wildfires.[3]
Loon Lake, located in the Lillooet Land District, is one of eight lakes with the same name in British Columbia.[4] Its west shore has been developed with resorts, permanent homes, and summer residences, as well as some development of the east shore, accessible only by water. A forest fire in July of 2017 damaged buildings in the nearby community and destroyed others. Loon Lake has approximately 200 permanent residents, with the population swelling to over 1000 in peak holiday season. Local government is provided by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, policing by Clinton; and the closest hospital is in Ashcroft.[5]
The turnoff for Loon Lake is located 20km north of Cache Creek, with the lake itself being 18km from the exit from Highway 97.[6] [7]
The services at the lake include resorts as well as stores, boat rentals, gas and propane, RV parking, and camping. There is a public boat launch at the east end of the lake.Trips to Hihum Lake leave from Loon Lake.[8]
The oldest operating resort is the Evergreen Resort, established at the west end of the lake in the mid-1930s. It was followed by the establishment of Loon Lake Resort by Ed and Pearl Dougherty in 1938, along with The White Moose by N. Fowler.
Loon Lake supports rainbow trout fishing up to 1.5 kg. The abundance of freshwater shrimp, dragon flies, nymphs, chironomids, and mayflies aid in flyfishing; however, trolling with flatfish and spinning lures are still the most popular methods used on the lake.