Francois Lake Park

The Francois Lake area has an abundant First Nations history. Along with the adjacent Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park, the area includes land claims from the Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council. The various bands with an interest in the greater Francois Lake and Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park include Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en Band, Stellat’en First Nation, Burns Lake Band, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, and Skin Tyee Band. The area was traditionally used by the First Nations people for hunting, fishing and gathering and many culturally modified trees have been located in the park. A major First Nations village site was located at Anjur Bay. Trails throughout the park may have been part of a grease trail linking coastal and interior First Nations people.

Francois Lake Park was protected by the provincial government in 1999 following recommendations of the Vanderhoof Land and Resource Management Plan.

Francois Lake Park is located within the Bukley Basin Ecosection and protects important habitat, including riparian zones, to many wildlife species. Remnant productive low-elevation old-growth forest is found near the lakeshore due to an unusual microclimate. Along with Uncha Mountain Red Hills Park to the west, Francois Lake Park protects a 47 km long corridor along the south shore of Francois Lake, and retains connectivity between riparian and upland ecosystems. Rare plant species and plant communities are found within the park.

Deer, moose and black bear are among the large mammals whose habitat is protected in the park, while sockeye salmon rearing and migrating habitat is found near the lakeshore.