When spring comes, the ice melts off the lakes and we can start to paddle some of the larger lakes of the area.   In May, Paul Lake has a few people fishing, but is quite quiet otherwise.   The water is still cold, but fish start to jump, pairs of ducks dabble near the shoreline, loons dive for fish, birds swoop for insects, and the chorus of frogs at the east end marsh foretells warmer weather.

We can launch our boat at either the campground or at the west end of the lake and the whole circuit of Paul Lake is 12 km, a good workout in a scenic spot.

Gibraltar Rock is the prominent landmark along the lake, creating a narrows, with the orange-colored cliffs looming overhead.   With each return to the lake, we change directions and shorelines.   To do the whole lake is a good paddle, especially in windy conditions.

The east end of the lake has homes along the north side and steep forest on the south side.   The far east end is shallow with a marsh extending into the trees.   On the west arm, there are homes on the south side and a trail below Louis Ridge on the north side.   We can choose to paddle the whole length of the lake by the forest by crossing the lake by the park forming a figure eight pattern.

By May, we can still paddle the river, but we can also paddle Paul Lake, Neskonlith Lake, Lac le Jeune, Little Shuswap Lake, Stump Lake, Kamloops Lake, and some of the smaller ones (we go around twice) on windier days.