Port Alberni, BC Great Central Lake
Vancouver Island, Briish Columbia, Canada

Great Central Lake

Great Central Lake is a little known recreation lake located west of the community of Port Alberni, BC on Vancouver Island, Canada. The lake is the second deepest lake on Vancouver Island and is approximately 45 kilometres long.

Surrounding the lake are high mountain peaks. Because of the high mountains and the vast size of the lake the winds can be very unpredictable. Winds can move in fast and high winds create rough waters with metre high white caps. A dangerous environment to be caught in. It is wise to plan for all types of weather.

Great Central Lake is a remote lake hidden in the backcountry second-growth forests behind the community of Port Alberni. On the shores of the lake are float homes and a campground resort. People arrive at the lake for fishing, boating, canoeing, hiking and swimming.

Trout returns are good on the lake. Many fish the lake from canoes and small outboard aluminum boats. Most are trolling for trout. Fishing in British Columbia requires a fishing license which can be bought from various outlets in Port Alberni.

On the southeast shores of the lake is the Della Falls Trail. Marking the trailhead is a wooden pier and a canoe rack. On the western end of the lake there is supposedly an underwater First Nation drawing of an arrow. This end actually falls within the park boundaries of Strathcona Park.

How to get to Great Central Lake

Travel to the community of Port Alberni, BC on Vancouver Island. From Port Alberni travel another 13.5 kilometres west on Highway #4 to the Sproat Lake exit. Just ahead is Great Central Lake Road. Do not turn on Sproat Lake Road but continue to Great Central Lake Rd and then turn. Once on Great Central Lake Road drive for 8 kilometres to the lake.