Kitsumkalum Lake North Protected Area

Highlights in this protected area

The upper Kitsumkalum River, located north of the city of Terrace, is an excellent day trip or short overnight trip for canoeing or kayaking. Boaters can start at the confluence of the Upper Kitsumkalum River and the Cedar River, north west of the town of Rosswood.

The paddle down the class 1 stretch of river, which offers excellent scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities, brings you to the north end of Kitsumkalum Lake. A short paddle along the north shore of the lake completes the trip. Paddlers should be aware of any sweepers or dead heads that may be difficult to spot.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Be aware of any common river hazards such as changing water levels, changing currents, sweepers and dead heads. It is advised to use caution while paddling the river.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the protected area.
There are no developed trails in the park.

Special notes

A section of the Protected Area is leased to BC Parks from The Nature Trust of BC, a non-profit land conservation organization. The Nature Trust Lands within North Kitsumkalum Protected Area provide refuge for waterfowl, fish, and wildlife – and this part of the protected area is closed to hunting.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Getting there

Paddlers can put in at the confluence of the Kitsumkalum River and the Cedar River, north west of the town of Rosswood. To get there; drive north on the Nisga’a highway from Hwy 16 in Terrace, then west on Old Rosswood Road just past Rosswood to the river. Take out can be done at the north east end of the lake where there is an access point along the highway. The closest communities are Terrace 35 km and Rosswood 3 km.

Camping

Marine-accessible camping

Camping can be done on the many sand and gravel bars along the shores of the Kitsumkalum River. Camping is limited on the north end of the lake. There are no facilities provided on the river.

When visiting marine-accessible sites, be respectful of the sensitive wildlife habitats, and learn how to stay safe using our marine visitor guide.

Things to do

Swimming

There is swimming in the river.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

The boating route begins at the confluence of the North Kitsumkalum River and the Cedar River north west of the town of Rosswood. The ending point of the route is along the north east shore of Kitsumkalum Lake. There are some camping opportunities on the many sand and gravel bars that line the river banks. Camping is limited to boaters.

Fishing

The Upper Kitsumkalum River offers good seasonal fishing opportunities for Coho salmon, Dolly Varden char and cutthroat trout.

See the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC website for more information. Check water specific regulations in the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis and BC Freshwater Salmon Supplement.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Pets on leash

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. If you pets are accompanying you, please have on a leash at all time.

Hunting

This protected area is partially open to hunting. Please refer to the British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

About this protected area

Wildlife

While paddling the Kitsumkalum River, it is common to view black and grizzly bears, moose, eagles and a variety of other birds.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

Contact