Stump Lake is a larger lake, located in the grasslands south of Kamloops, on Highway 5A.

Directions/Launch:

• Drive south on Highway 5A for 41 km.
• The highway continues along the entire western shoreline of Stump Lake.
• There are 3 launch spots just off the highway on the west side.    The first and last are steeper, with limited parking and turn-around.   The second, in the middle, has a graded road, but parking is limited to the roadway because of high lake levels.
• A new Recreation site and boat launch is now available on the east side of the lake.    At the start of the Peterhope Lake Road, a newly graded 4.5 km road goes to a rebuilt Rec Site with a good boat launch and parking area (See the new post – June 19, 2024)

 

The Lakeshore:

• Most of the lake is surrounded by rangelands or private homes, or the highway.   Nevertheless it is a large enough lake to accommodate many boats.
• There are marshy sections along the shoreline in spots.
• Because the lake is 19 km around the shoreline, I usually paddle either the north end of the south end in a given day.

Pros:

• A larger, scenic lake with lots of room for many boats.
• One of the first lakes to be ice-free in spring.

Cons:

• This is a windy spot so go in the morning on a day with favorable forecasts.
• A popular fishing lake so the launch areas are busy at prime times.
• No shade on a hot day.

Notes:

• A good spring paddling choice, but check the wind forecasts first.