Ekwan Lake Protected Area sits on the shores of Ekwan Lake, about 175 kilometres southeast of Fort Nelson and 35 kilometres west of the Alberta border. BC Parks says just getting there is an adventure.
Vehicle access is limited to winter, when temporary winter roads are built on frozen ground for industrial use.
Ekwan Lake is for highly prepared visitors planning around remote access, shallow-lake paddling, fishing, wilderness camping, and northern wildlife. During high-water periods between spring thaw and winter freeze, BC Parks says float planes may land on open water. In summer, canoes or kayaks can be used on the shallow lake, but all boats must be flown in and out.
In winter, four-wheel drive vehicles use the Sierra oil road south of Fort Nelson and the Westcoast power line winter road to the north end of the lake. BC Parks warns that it does not maintain these roads, which are used by heavy trucks and machinery, and radio communication with correct frequencies is required.
Anglers can fish for arctic grayling, bull trout, inconnu, whitefish, northern pike, and burbot. The protected area also supports boreal white and black spruce, walleye and northern pike habitat, moose, caribou, and black bear.
Plan around winter-road expedition planning, floatplane-access paddling, canoeing, kayaking, fishing with the required licence, wilderness camping preparation, wildlife viewing, bear safety, and seasonal hunting where permitted.
Carry chains, four-wheel drive capability, radios, first-aid gear, extra clothing, food, and water treatment. Prepare for extreme winter conditions, parasites in backcountry water, bear country, and the absence of maintained public roads outside winter.
