Summer water
A local operator reports comfortable swimming from July into September, with colder water in spring and fall.
At a glance
Lake highlights
Size, water, shoreline and the kinds of days this lake supports.
Surface area
444.36 ha
Length
Approx. 6.6 km
Max depth
23.2 m
Average depth
13.5 m
Elevation
931 m
Core measurements use the current lake dataset.
Beach and shoreline
Martens Resort describes a small beach with gradual entry and another public sandy beach reached by paddle or boat.
Weeds and algae
Timothy Lake is very good in both regards, with minimal aquatic weed and no algae reported.
Boating and water sports
Fishing boats, pontoons, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and float tubes are all used on Timothy Lake.
Swimming and paddling
The lake supports swimming and paddling from its lakefront resort.
South Cariboo setting
A quiet forested lake near Lac la Hache, between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake.
Island and connecting channel
A small uninhabited island and a narrow channel into Dempsey Lake give paddlers and small-boat users two places to explore.
Few bugs
Martens Resort reports that swallows and bats help keep mosquitoes and other biting insects down around the shore.
On the water
Fishing Timothy Lake
Timothy Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and kokanee. Trolling is the most commonly described approach, while fly fishing is also used near shoreline bulrushes. The lake can be fished from a conventional fishing boat, canoe, kayak or float tube, with local winter accommodation also advertising ice fishing once conditions allow.
Fish in the lake
Tap a fish to expand 
Rainbow trout
A hard-fighting trout with a distinctive pink stripe and dark spotting.
Rainbow trout
A hard-fighting trout with a distinctive pink stripe and dark spotting.
Look for an olive-green to dark blue back, silvery sides, a reddish-pink stripe from gills to tail, and small dark spots across the back and fins.
- Typical size
- 6-16 in
- Potential size
- Trophy strains grow much larger
- Diet
- Insects, crustaceans, eggs, and small fish
- Known for
- Hard fighting sport fish
Kokanee
The freshwater, landlocked form of sockeye salmon.
Kokanee
The freshwater, landlocked form of sockeye salmon.
Kokanee have silver sides, a dark blue back, and none of the distinct dark spots seen on many trout and salmon. During spawning, both sexes develop bright red bodies and green heads.
- Typical size
- 9-12 in
- Potential size
- Up to 20 in
- Diet
- Zooplankton and insects
- Known for
- Excellent eating, popular sport fish
Northern pikeminnow
A long-bodied native minnow (carp family) found in lakes and slow-moving rivers.
Northern pikeminnow
A long-bodied native minnow (carp family) found in lakes and slow-moving rivers.
Look for a dark green or silver-blue back, silvery sides, a long snout, and a large toothless mouth extending past the eye. Juveniles have a distinct black spot at the base of the tail.
- Typical size
- 8-12 in
- Potential size
- Up to 25 in
- Diet
- Insects, Small Fish, Eggs
- Known for
- Poor eating, Threat to salmon fry & eggs
Provincial records also list redside shiner, peamouth chub and largescale sucker.
Practical notes
Stocking
Rainbow trout and kokanee releases are recorded for Timothy Lake; check the live report for current dates and quantities.
Boat fishing
Trolling and fly fishing from a small boat or float tube are the established tactics.
Shore fishing
Martens Resort describes fishing from its docks and fly fishing close to shoreline bulrushes.
Ice fishing
Local accommodation advertises winter ice fishing; verify current ice conditions before heading out.
Lures and flies
Trolling, fly fishing and general spinning are supported by current sources; confirm lake-specific lure and fly patterns locally.
Seasonality
Spring and fall are generally productive trout periods; confirm Timothy Lake timing and current conditions locally.
Inflows and outlet
4 mapped inflows and 1 outlet from the BC Freshwater Atlas.
In Timothy Creek West end 51.8550, -121.3110 In Unnamed stream U1 Northwest shore near the west end 51.8583, -121.3089 In Unnamed stream U2 North shore, east-central lake 51.8579, -121.2467 In Unnamed stream U3 East-northeast end 51.8508, -121.2234 Out Timothy Creek outlet Southeast shore - Flows downstream into Dempsey Lake. 51.8430, -121.2381
Boat launch and access
Public boat launch
PublicCommunity-marked - 1 on the lake
Timothy Lake currently has one marked public boat launch on its shoreline. It is a steep, long access point used primarily for fire-department rescue access and by experienced boaters.
Access conditions
The launch is described as very steep and long, with no dedicated parking. Users need to carry boats down or have advanced trailer-launching skills.
Safety warning
Do not block this launch point. It is a designated fire-department rescue access.
Martens Resort launch
GuestsOperator-confirmed guest boat launch, docks and moorage, with fishing boats and non-motorized watercraft available on site.
View launch and rentalsWhere to stay
1 resort on the lakeIf you're making a trip of it, here's what's on the water - no hard sell, just the option.
Dempsey Lake sits immediately downstream through lower Timothy Creek; the operator describes the narrow connection as easiest to explore by canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Show on map
Plan the drive
Where it is
Timothy Lake and the Martens Resort pin, in the South Cariboo near Lac la Hache.
Timothy Lake - Martens Resort pin - 5636 Timothy Lake Road, Lac la Hache
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Getting there
~5 hr Lower Mainland Vancouver area
2.5 hr Kamloops 240 km
3.5 hr Prince George 323 km