City of Powell River’s new fishing pier has been installed on the foreshore of Cranberry Lake, providing a picturesque spot to enjoy the view and catch some of the lake’s cutthroat trout.
According to city parks supervisor Mike Kaban, the pier was funded by Powell River Community Forest and has been in the works for many years. He said money had been allocated to build the float and the bridge to the fishing pier, which is accessible by a trail that starts at a trailhead located at Marlatt and Park avenues in Cranberry.
“In the last six months it really came to light that it would be good to get kids out post-COVID-19, and older people, too, using Powell River’s excellent assets,” said Kaban.
Cranberry Lake resident Don McLeod helped the city with the location for the pier.
“When we came to scope out the spot, the lily pads weren’t at their full height yet,” said Kaban. “It was really important to put the dock in a place where the water was deep enough for good fishing and no lily pads, and it has worked out. It’s a good spot.
“It’s a great City of Powell River project and we’re pleased to help the previous brainchild of the Cranberry ratepayers.”
Kaban said the city’s parks department looked after the installation with Powell River Remote Marine Solutions building the dock and the ramp.
“It was a great Powell River project,” added Kaban.
He said the city has been working with a registered professional biologist for the different lake accesses around Cranberry Lake to ensure there was minimal environmental impact.
“For anything the city does, we make sure everything is done in an environmentally responsible way,” said Kaban.
McLeod, a long-time proponent of the project, said the idea has been in the works for about 30 years, going back to when he was president of Cranberry Ratepayers Association.
McLeod said about five years ago, he brought former city parks, recreation and culture director Ray Boogaards to the site and Boogaards acknowledged that it was a unique spot.
“The access point is great; a lot of people come here,” said McLeod. “A number of people can’t afford boats and a lot of people don’t realize what kind of nature is on this lake.
“It’s the most nature-rich lake in the whole area.There’s crayfish, trout, turtles, beavers, muskrats, otters, and there are all kinds of different bird species. It’s a phenomenal lake that way.”
McLeod said the fact that the structures were locally made is a nice factor.
He said the lake has had good cutthroat trout fishing, but there are no carp or coarse fish in the body of water. The biggest fish McLeod has hooked in the lake was about three or four pounds and he said he has heard the odd rumour of other trout as big being caught in the lake.
“It’s a slow-moving lake so it's nutrient-rich,” said McLeod.
He added that the littoral zone is probably 80 per cent of the lake, which is less than 11 feet deep.
McLeod said he’d love to see more fishing docks in the region, including the north boat harbour.
Anglers are reminded that they require a freshwater fishing licence to use the pier. For BC residents 65 years old or older, the cost is only $5 a year. Licences can be purchased for a year, a day or eight days.
