Established in 1923, Vaseux Lake is a freshwater lake located along the Okanagan River in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada.
Vaseux Lake is SPECIAL in many ways…
Vaseux Lake is a designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary. California Bighorn Sheep sanctuaries lie on BOTH sides of Vaseux Lake.
Power/Motorboats are NOT allowed on Vaseux Lake other than for rescue purposes. Signage is posted at each boat launch and violators WILL be reported and fined.
Vaseux Lake is one of British Columbia’s best Bass fishing lakes offering fantastic fishing for both Large and Small Mouth Bass. The largemouth can reach up to 4.5 kgs (10 lbs) and 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) fish are not uncommon. Smallmouth bass average 1.2 kg (2 to 3 lb), and 2 kg (5 lb) fish are not an uncommon sight.
Basic specifications are as follows:
- Vaseux lake’s length is 3.8 km (2.4 mi) and its width is 0.8 km (0.50 mi).
- The lake’s elevation is 357 m (1,171 ft).
- Latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates are 49°17′30″N 119°32′00″W.
- Maximum depth 27 meters (88.5 feet).
About Vaseux’s Name
The name “vaseux” is French, meaning muddy or murky, which is descriptive of the lake’s silty water. The lake was likely named by French Canadian fur traders. The lake was misspelled as Vasuix Lake on Joseph Trutch’s maps from 1866 and 1871. For many years the name was later spelled Vaseaux Lake, and in 1945 the Geographic Board of BC corrected the official name to its present form – Vaseux.
Geographical Context
The town of Okanagan Falls is to the north, and the town of Oliver is to the south. The lake lies to the east of Mount Keogan, while British Columbia Highway 97 runs alongside the east shore of the lake, and has a sharp hairpin turn at the Vaseaux Lake Rock Cut which has been the scene of many accidents and deaths. McIntyre Bluff, Vaseux Creek, and the associated alluvial fan are to the south; however, it does not flow into Vaseux Lake. Both the north and south ends of the lake are shallow; there is an oval-shaped depression in the center where the lake reaches its maximum depth. The largest island on the lake is Hatfield Island. The lake stage is controlled by McIntyre Dam.