Fishing within 20 minutes of your site
If you like a rod in the truck, you're in the right corner of the Cariboo. A couple of well-known trout waters sit within about 20 minutes of the campsite — close enough to fish at first light and be back for breakfast.
By Cariboo Place Campsite · Updated July 10, 2026
Where can we fish near the campsite?
The best-known water nearby is Dragon Lake, about 15 minutes from your site — a rainbow trout fishery the Cariboo is genuinely known for. It's a popular spot with locals and visitors alike, so it's worth asking around town about what they're biting on before you head out. A little farther, Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park is about 20 minutes north and has fishing too, along with a swimming beach and easy trails if the family wants more than a morning on the water.
Do I need a licence to fish in BC?
Yes. Anyone fishing fresh water in British Columbia needs a valid provincial freshwater fishing licence, and it's quick to sort out online before you go. You can find the rules and buy a licence at the province's site: gov.bc.ca/freshwaterfishing(opens in a new tab). Check the current regulations for the specific lake while you're there — limits, gear rules and any seasonal closures can vary from water to water.
When is the best time to go?
Cariboo trout lakes generally fish through the open-water season from spring into fall, with the cooler shoulders of the day — early morning and evening — often the most productive. Conditions change year to year, though, so the honest answer is to check the current regulations and ask locally when you arrive. Folks at the tackle counter in Quesnel usually have a good read on what's working that week.
Is it good for families and beginners?
It can be. Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park is the easy pick when you've got kids along — a sandy swimming beach and gentle trails mean nobody's stuck waiting on the fish to bite. Pack a picnic, let the little ones splash, and take turns on the rod. Even a slow fishing morning turns into a good day out when there's a beach to fall back on.
What else is worth the drive?
Once you've got the rod out, the rest of the region is easy to reach too — the town of Quesnel is about 15 minutes north, and bigger day trips like Barkerville and Bowron Lake are within range. For the full lineup of what's nearby, see our guide to things to do near Quesnel. Base yourself here under the pines, and the lakes are a short drive in almost any direction.
How do we hold a site for a fishing trip?
Tell us your dates and what you're driving, and we'll confirm personally. For a stay today or tomorrow, call us. You can request a site online or call the office at (250) 747-0699. There's no payment now — just a straight answer from the office.
A quiet site, close to the water
Fish at first light, be back for coffee. Tell us when you're coming and what you're driving, and we'll have a spot ready under the pines.