Granisle

98 kilometres north of Burns Lake, via Highway 118, lies the Village of Granisle. This friendly community is nestled on the western shore of central Babine Lake, the longest natural lake in BC with 170 km of shoreline to explore.

Located on the traditional territory of Lake Babine Nation, this area is steeped in history and culture. If you’re on the water, be sure to watch for fascinating First Nations’ petroglyphs (Indian rock face carvings) on the cliffs at Babine Lake, almost directly opposite the Pinkut Creek Spawning Channel.

Witness one of the largest salmon runs in the world at the Fulton River Spawning Channel on your way into Granisle. 35 km north of Topley you’ll find the channel just after you cross the Fulton River Bridge. From mid to late September hundreds of thousands of spawning Sockeye Salmon fill the Fulton River and spawning channel. A fish counting fence improves viewing opportunities and interpretive signs can be found along the riverbank. Keep an eye out for Osprey, Bald Eagles and Black Bears attracted by the salmon carcasses. Similar viewing opportunities are found at the Pinkut Creek Spawning Channel north of Burns Lake.

Stop in at the Granisle Visitor Centre and Museum to learn more about the history of the area and to check out the replica Woolly Mammoth bones on display, which were discovered at the Bell Mine site in 1971 and have been carbon dated to over 34,000 years old.

Visitors are also welcome at the Fulton River Hatchery, the largest of its type in the world, holding up to 180,000 adult sockeye salmon. The best viewing is during the summer, in late August and early September.